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speaking up for nature in singapore
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on youths of singapore to speak up PM's call on youths | list of all articles speak up for nature: why bother? | what others have spoken | feedback channels Today 6 Sep 04 Can civic society ever ACE it here? NMP Mohan's mission to form an action community for civic society Tor Ching Li chingli@newstoday.com.sg THE message was spelt out very clearly at the start of the year and repeated last month in two key speeches made by the new prime minister — Singapore must be an open and inclusive society, a civic society in which citizens, as individuals and in groups, play an active role in shaping the future. "Nanny should not look after everything all the time," declared then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in January when he spoke about Building a Civic Society at a Harvard Club event. He made the same point last month, first when he was sworn in as prime minister and then in his National Day Rally speech. In the latter, encouraging Singapore's youth to, as the Nike advertisement declared, "Just do it", Mr Lee said: "Engage your ideals, your ideas, your energies, build a new generation, build tomorrow's Singapore. Don't wait or depend on the Government. Find your own leaders, organise your own solutions, move." At the ground level, a self-declared liberal and idealist who has been doing precisely these things for many years has set out on a new mission — the formation of an alliance of civic groups or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Nominated Member of Parliament Chandra Mohan, also the honorary secretary of the National University of Singapore Society, would like to see an "informal NGO movement". . "My vision is for as many civic societies and NGO members as possible to get to know each other and form a synergistic relationship," the 54-year-old social activist and lawyer told Today. "This movement can then organise diverse activities that would enrich our people's minds and souls." Mr Mohan sees scope for a civic society movement similar to ACE, or the Action Community for Entrepreneur-ship, which is a grouping of private and public sector individuals who want to help bring about a more entrepreneurial Singapore. . Late last month, he organised a gathering of representatives of several NGOs — the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Institute of South East Asian Studies, Singapore Press Club and Political Science Association — to explore the possibility of an NGO movement taking shape. Some were meeting each other for the first time and all saw value in this process of getting to know each other and exchanging ideas. "It will help groups identify synergies that can be had with other participating organisations in trying to achieve their goals," said IPS research fellow Dr Gillian Koh, who was at the meeting. But she thinks the next level of involvement — collaboration — would prove more challenging for NGOs if it were to entail a sharing of information, resources and extending their constituencies in areas with joint interests. She said: "This would require more intimate working relationships, and we would face the state's wariness about mass mobilisation." A long-time social activist, Mr Raymond Huang, chairman of Heartware Network, strongly agrees that there is a need for an NGO movement in Singapore to "open up more space" and create "awareness of the work NGOs" do, but he shares Dr Koh's concerns about how such a movement would be seen by the authorities. He said: "The NGO movement may be seen as a political or lobbying entity." There is also the possibility of a lack of trust between NGOs themselves. "This may work better for less established groups with a passion for the work they seek. More established groups with an entrenched culture and strong governing boards might find it harder to participate. NGO groups may also not share openly, and have their own agenda," said Mr Huang. From his experience in trying to pull different organisations together on a project, it can be a "nightmare if all cards are not dealt on the table". Mr Mohan acknowledges that these are obstacles that must be overcome, even by him. . "When it's to do with business, like ACE, it's all go," he said of the vast difference between the business and civic community in forming an alliance. But he intends to keep trying. His efforts actually began early last year, when he organised a meeting of several NGOs including women's advocacy group AWARE and the now-disbanded Roundtable, a broad-based, non-partisan discussion group of which he was a member. "The achievements will come in slowly, but surely. And future generations will have an easier time once the paths are laid by us," he said. One activist who is supportive and optimistic is 26-year-old Mr Louis Ng, president of animal rights group ACRES. He said: "It is clear that this movement in needed to develop a civic society. NGOs can and should help complement the government's efforts. I think most NGOs in Singapore are keen on such a movement but we've been waiting for someone to take the lead." But perhaps the first and greater challenge is simply that of getting more Singaporeans to join NGOs and to stay committed to the cause. As one young activist, Mr Edwin Pang, a regular volunteer at a community services centre, put it: "Having been a member of voluntary organisations for a number of years, I've come to realise that being able to get volunteers to serve is only half the battle won. Sustaining their interest, drive and commitment when they are faced with pressures at work and family commitments may prove to be a tougher challenge." |
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