Civics Pre University 2007

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REVISEDPRE-UNIVERSITYCIVICS SYLLABUS

Copyright 2006 Curriculum Planning and Development Division. This publication is not for sale.FOR RESTRICTED CIRCULATION ONLY. All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the Ministry of Education, Singapore.Year of Implementation From 2007


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CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Our Growth and Development 6

Our Families and Community 9

People who Inspire Change 17

Singapore Our Future 22


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INTRODUCTION

The revised Pre-University Civics Syllabus is based on thecentral theme, Making a Difference. The focus is onengaging JC/CI students to play an active role in helping toimprove the quality of civic life in the community and to takethe lead in service to others. The central theme of the CivicsSyllabus highlights:

the importance of active citizenship through service to

others; the need for everyone to take an interest in the needs of

the community;

the belief that everyone can play a role in effectingpositive changes in society in their own way.

RATIONALEThe following considerations were made in the developmentof the revised Civics syllabus:

alignment of the content with the revised Civics and MoralEducation (CME) primary and secondary syllabuses;

provision of opportunities for students to learn the valuesand competencies outlined in the framework for Social andEmotional Learning (SEL);

emerging trends and global developments that impact oursociety, such as changing family structures, globalisation,rapid advancements in technology and increasingeconomic competition.

GOALS

The thrust of the revised syllabus is to encourage students tolead in service by taking a proactive role in their interactionswith the people and the environment they live in. The goalsare:

to equip our students with the attitudes/values, knowledgeand skills that would enable them to make a differencethrough serving and contributing to the well-being of

others; to develop our students as civic-conscious individuals who

are concerned with issues affecting the community, nationand world, and who will take action to make a differenceto the community they live in;

to provide authentic learning opportunities for them tolead in service.

OVERVIEWThe syllabus framework has been developed based onWiggins and McTighes1 model of backward curriculum design.Each component comprises a big idea which is an enduringconcept or principle, and an essential question, which isused to reveal the complexities and richness of the concept or

principle. An overview of the revised syllabus is given on pg 2.

1Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (1998). Understanding by Design. USA: Association for

Supervision and Curriculum Development.

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OVERVIEW OF THE PRE-UNIVERSITY CIVICS SYLLABUS

Theme: Making a Difference

Communityand Nation

World

Our Families and CommunitiesBIG IDEA:

Leaders serve to meet the needs of thepeople and community

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:How can I contribute to the well-being of

others?

People who Inspire ChangeBIG IDEA:

Everyone can play a part by leading inservice

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:What do I learn from people whoinspire change?

Our Growth and DevelopmentBIG IDEA:

Taking a proactive approach tobecoming a leader in service

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:How do I develop myself through

service to others?

Self and Family

Singapore Our FutureBIG IDEA:

Everyone can lead in makingSingapore unique

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

What makes a Singaporean?

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IMPLEMENTATIONThe revised Civics syllabus is a 24-hour module to be spreadover two years for JCs and three years for Millennia Institute.Schools have the autonomy and the flexibility to adapt thesyllabus to create learning opportunities in the formal andnon-formal curriculum according to their needs and resources.

A resource pack is available to help teachers in the effectiveteaching of civics. This resource pack includes suggestedteaching approaches, strategies, materials for classroom

discussions and list of IT and media resources available toenhance students learning.

EVALUATIONThere is no formal assessment of content. Schools have theflexibility to decide how they want to monitor and evaluatetheir Civics programme according to the learning outcomesset in the area of student development. Due to the complexnature of character and leadership development, it isrecommended that monitoring and evaluation tools used bebroad-based and multi-dimensional. Some of the tools caninclude feedback from students and teachers, project/fieldwork and reviewing of students folio or journal of learning.

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Unit 1: Developing my potential

Learning Outcomes Scope of Content and Unit QuestionsValues/ Attitudes/

QualitiesRelated Messages

Students will be able to:

evaluate their strengthsand weaknesses

appreciate the importanceof developing theirpotential

understand and appreciatethe importance of aligningtheir goals and aspirationswith their values andsocietal values

Developing my potentialDeveloping a whole person involves looking into thevarious aspects of the person in four main areas:intellectual, emotional, social and moral. To be successfulin the new millennium with its array of opportunities andchallenges, we need to take a proactive approach tobecome active learners for life in order to maximise ourpotential. This involves engaging in activities and

discussions that help us to explore our strengths andweaknesses and discover our goals and aspirations. Whiledoing so, we develop our self-awareness and clarify ourpersonal values which guide us in our decisions anddevelopment as individuals. In the process of clarifyingour personal values, we also take into consideration thecommon good and societal well-being.

Possible discussion questions: What are my strengths? How can I develop them? What are my weaknesses? How can I overcome them? What is my potential? How can I develop it? What are my goals and aspirations? How can I

maximise my potential to achieve them? What values are important in life and why?

Commitment Common good Integrity Openness Resilience Respect Responsibility

DOE: Have a sound

sense of socialresponsibility

Understand whatit takes to inspireand motivate

others Have an

entrepreneurialand creative spirit

Be able to thinkindependently andcreatively

Our Growth and Development

Big Idea:Taking a proactive approach to becoming a leader in serviceEssential Question:How do I develop myself through service to others?

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Learning OutcomesValues/ Attitudes/

Scope of Content and Unit Questions Related MessagesQualities

Are there similarities and/or differences between myvalues and societal values? What are they?

What are the implications of having similarities and/ordifferences between ones personal values and societysvalues?

Is it important to live our lives in accordance to positivevalues? Why?

Unit 2: Building civic consciousness



Students will be able to:

understand that civicconsciousness is an

important quality ofcharacter development

examine how servingothers contributes to theirpersonal growth

explain why civicconsciousness is key to thedevelopment of a caringcommunity

Civic consciousness as part of personaldevelopment

Civic consciousness involves appreciating that we are apart of the larger community and have a role to playtowards contributing to its well-being. This contribution,known as civic engagement, includes a variety ofactivities such as community volunteerism, and buildingand fostering family infrastructure to strengthen thefamily in our society. Through civic engagement, we acton challenges that affect the interests and well-being of

the community by interacting, learning and growing witheach other. In this way, we build a community that ismore than the sum of its parts. At the same time, we canexplore, reflect and deepen our understanding of thechallenges faced by our community and buildcommitment through our participation in communityactivities.

Care Commitment Common good Empathy Harmony Integrity Respect Responsibility

DOE: Have a soundsense of social

responsibility Understand what

it takes tomotivate andinspire others

Singapore 21 Vision: Strong families:

Our foundationand our future

The SingaporeHeartbeat

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At the individual level, we become better equipped withskills and attitudes that help us in our development as aperson. Through constructive actions, we broaden ourperspective and deepen our understanding of the needsof the people around us.

Possible discussion questions: What is civic consciousness and what does it involve? Why is civic consciousness important for building a

caring and inclusive community?Am I a civic conscious person? How do I know? What are the skills and attitudes I can learn or develop

when I am involved in activities that contribute to thewell-being of the community?

How do these skills and attitudes help me develop as aperson?

How does one develop leadership through servingothers?

Active citizens:Making adifference tosociety

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Unit 1: My family


Qualities

Related Messages

Students will be able to: appreciate the uniqueness

of their family and itsmembers

understand the need forfamily members to be

committed to each other

realise that they play a rolein contributing to the well-being of their family

recognise that the familyhas a role to play in the

well-being of thecommunity

How can I contribute to the well-being of myfamily?The family is viewed as a fundamental social unit ofsociety that plays an essential role in fulfilling theemotional, physical and social needs of individuals. Thefamily can be regarded as a potentially powerful agent forpolitical, economic, cultural and social change, as well as

a vehicle for the care, protection and development of itsmembers. It can be said that the family plays animportant role in nation-building as it lays the foundationof the nation and shapes the destiny of its people.

We have heard much about the importance of the familyand how challenges and demands in the modern societyare leading to the increasing breakdown of family life. It

seems that more and more families have difficulty copingwith these challenges and balancing the competingdemands. Consequently, there are more conflicts withinfamilies. Thus, there is a need to ensure that our youthdevelop commitment and resilience in building goodrelationships within the family. They also need to developpositive attitudes towards marriage and starting their ownfamilies in the future.

Singapore FamilyValues-love, care andconcern

-mutual respect-filial

responsibility-commitment-communication

Singapore 21Vision: Every

Singaporeanmatters

Opportunities for

all Strong families:



Active citizens:Making a

difference tosociety

Our Families and Community

Big Idea:Leaders serve to meet the needs of the people and communityEssential Question:How can I contribute to the well-being of others?

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Possible discussion questions: Why is the family considered as a fundamental social

unit of society? How does the family play a role in shaping the youths

of tomorrow? What are the challenges and pressures faced by

families in our modern society? How do social trends such as dual income families and

increasing divorce rates, etc. impact society? What can be done to strengthen the family structure in

our society? How can I help contribute to the well-being of my

family?

Unit 2: Knowing my community



Students will be able to: understand and appreciate

the concept of community

identify the needs andaspirations of thecommunity

explore the different waysof meeting the needs andaspirations of the

Who is my community?A community is anchored in place and time, and is forgedby common ties and social interaction among people. Our

community grows in strength and cohesiveness when weare willing and able to serve and care for one another.Our community is also the source of our sense of identityand belonging, as well as strength and support especiallyduring times of crises. For example, when the SevereAcute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic struckSingapore in 2003. For our community to remaincohesive, we need to be passionate about wanting to

Our SharedValues

- Nation beforeCommunity andSociety beforeSelf

- Family as thebasic unit ofsociety

DOE: Be resilient and

resolute Have a sound


Understand whatit takes to inspireand motivateothers

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community and examinethe challenges faced

contribute to its well-being by engaging in acts that willhelp to alleviate the pain and suffering of the weak ordisadvantaged.

Possible discussion questions: What is a community? Who are the people who make up my community? How is the sense of belonging and identity forged

within the community you live in? In what ways have I benefited from the contributions

of the other members in my community? What can I do to support my community now and in

the future?

What are the needs and aspirations of mycommunity?

The needs and aspirations of our community aremultifaceted and differ among groups e.g. families, youth,working adults, the elderly, the needy, the sick, peoplewith disabilities, ex-offenders, etc. The communitysneeds and aspirations are, to a large extent, influenceddirectly or indirectly by socio-economic factors and trendsoccurring within Singapore and beyond. Some of theseare:

- rising standards of living and expectations- widening income gap and its implications, e.g. social

stratification- changing work environment, e.g. loss of employment

due to systemic re-structuring- a rapidly ageing population coupled with a falling

national birth rate

- Communitysupport andrespect for theindividual

- Consensus, notconflict

- Racial andreligious

harmony

Understand whatit takes to leadSingapore

NE: We must uphold

meritocracy andincorruptibility

Singapore is ourhomeland: This iswhere I belong

No one owesSingapore a living


Singaporeanmatters

Opportunities forall

Strong families:Our foundationand our future



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- globalisation and its impact on the social andeconomic landscape

- an increasingly competitive, self-centred andconsumerist culture

- technological advancement and its impact on society,e.g. challenges posed by the Internet, ethical issuesin the Life Sciences

- global threats, e.g. terrorism, cross-boundary

transmission of life-threatening communicablediseases

We can play a part in responding to the needs andaspirations of our community. Some ways are:- promoting a more gracious, caring and inclusive

society- re-defining the meaning of success by

acknowledging non-academic achievements like thearts and sports

- promoting public education on various issues, e.g.responsible use of the Internet, knowledge offinancial planning and management

- promoting a mindset of risk-taking, and innovationand enterprise (I&E)

Although it may not be always possible to fulfill all needsand aspirations, we can serve the needs of ourcommunity by volunteering our services or contributing tocharitable causes. There are also organisations wheremembers get together to work for the betterment ofsociety. These organisations serve the various needs ofsociety and seek to make it a better place for everyone.

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Some of these organisations include voluntary welfareorganisations (VWOs), community-based organisations(CBOs) and grassroots organisations.

Possible discussion questions: What are some recent developments that have had an

impact on our community? What caused them andhow did we react?

Why is it important to promote community bonding? What are some ways of strengthening community

bonding? What are my familys and personal views about

contributing to the community? How can my family help to strengthen community

bonding? What role can a government play in contributing to the

well-being of the community? How can different community-based organisations help

to supplement the governments role in contributing tothe well-being of the community?

What challenges do policy-makers have to take intoconsideration when making decisions that impact thepeople?

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Unit 3: Volunteerism

Learning Outcomes Scope of Content and Unit Questions Values/ Attitudes/Qualities

Related Messages

Students will be able to: appreciate the spirit and

purpose of volunteerism

explain how volunteerismcontributes to community

bonding

What is volunteerism?Volunteerism is the practice of offering ones time andeffort for the well-being of others. When individuals fromdifferent walks of life get together for a charitable cause,a sense of camaraderie develops which helps tostrengthen community bonding, and builds a caring and

gracious society. A community that bonds and cares is apillar for harmonious living.

Possible discussion questions: Why do some people volunteer to help others? What key attributes would a volunteer have? Who are some individuals you know or have read

about, whose contributions have helped to improve the

community they live in? How has volunteerism benefited the individual, the

community or the world community?

How does volunteerism contribute to communitybonding?It is commonly asserted that the moral test of a society ishow it treats its weakest e.g. children, elderly, sick, needyand people with disabilities. It is thus important for us tovolunteer because in helping others, we learn toempathise with the less privileged in our society and helpmake our society more caring and inclusive. In theprocess, we internalise values such as care, respect andresponsibility, which benefit our personal development asindividuals and citizens.

Altruism Care Empathy Harmony Humility Respect Responsibility Service

DOE: Have a sound


Understand what

it takes tomotivate andinspire others

Strive forexcellence

Singapore 21 Vision: The Singapore

HeartbeatActive citizens:

Making adifference tosociety

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Possible discussion questions: Why do we need to contribute to society as

volunteers? How does volunteerism contribute to community

bonding? How can we encourage more volunteerism in our

community?

Unit 4: Making a difference in my community (includes a practical component)



How can I make a difference in my community?Students will be able to: explore the different ways

of making a difference intheir community

initiate a community actionproject

DOE:We can make a difference in our community by believingthat serving others and being committed to thecommunity is a worthy cause. Besides our home andschool, we can take the lead in serving our community byvolunteering for charitable causes, by initiating projects inaid of the needy or less fortunate, or by promotingenvironmental conservation. We can also volunteer ourservices to community-based organisations and work with

like-minded individuals to make the society a better place.

Service to others Resourcefulness Be resilient and

resolute Our SharedValues Have a sound

sense of socialresponsibility- Nation before

Communityand Society

before Self

Understand whatit takes to inspire

and motivateothers- Family as thebasic unit ofsociety


Possible discussion questions:- Community

support andrespect for theindividual

Why is it important to believe that we can make adifference no matter how small a role we play?

How can I contribute to the well-being of mycommunity?

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What are community-based organisations? How dothey contribute to the well-being of the community?

- Consensus,not conflict

NE: Singapore is our

homeland: This iswhere I belong

What does it mean to lead in service? - Racial andreligiousharmonyPractical Component: Community Action Project

Service-Learning, defined as an academic study closelytied to community service through structured reflection, isa particularly important approach for promoting civic

responsibility. It helps students connect thought andfeeling in a deliberate way by creating a context in whichstudents can explore how they feel about what they arethinking and what they think about how they feel.Through the guided reflection, students are givenopportunities to explore the relationship between theiracademic learning, and their values and commitment toserve society.


Singaporeanmatters



The Singapore

HeartbeatStudents can be encouraged to initiate a project thatwould benefit the needs of an immediate community, e.g.the elderly destitute. Inthis way, they can build a senseof ownership and empowerment as they plan, implementand evaluate the effectiveness of their projects.


By reflecting on the learning points of the project throughjournals or portfolios, students acquire and develop skills

attitudes that can deepen their understanding of andcommitment to active citizenship through participation incommunity activities.

After the project is completed, students can be asked toshare their project and the learning points with theirclassmates at a school assembly or through an exhibition.

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Unit 1: Learning from those who inspire change


Scope of Content and Unit Questions Related Messages

QualitiesPeople who make a differenceStudents will be able to: identify people who have

made changes to thecommunity/society/world they live in

explain the qualities of

these people

evaluate the impact of theiracts on the community/society/ world

DOE: Being visionaryThere are individuals whose contributions have benefitedthe world. Whether they served as politicians,innovators, scientists, thinkers, activists or socialentrepreneurs, they have impacted the world throughtheir beliefs, actions, vision, commitment and/or serviceto others.

Civic-consciousness

Be resilient andresolute

Commitment Have a soundsense of socialresponsibility

Humility Integrity

Perseverance Understand whatit takes to inspireand motivateothers

Some people make a difference within the community byworking for the common good. They do so because theyidentify with the needs of the community. Sometimes,they spend a lifetime working to achieve their goals ofmaking a difference in their community. Occasionally,the changes they make can result in an impact biggerthan they had imagined or predicted. For example,

Gandhis belief in non-violent resistance not only inspiredthe people in his nation, but many others world-widewho followed his example. In view of the violence wesee around us everyday, Gandhis message continues tostrike a chord with many people around the world.

Resourcefulness Service


NE: We must uphold

meritocracy andincorruptibility

Singapore is ourhomeland: This iswhere I belongThere are also those who made a difference by achieving

excellence in their fields. Their work either changed the No one owes

People who Inspire Change

Big Idea:Every one can play a part by leading in serviceEssential Question:What do I learn from people who inspire change?

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Singapore a livingWe haveconfidence in ourfuture

way people live, the way they think, or their dedicationand determination inspire people. For example, Pelesachievements in soccer, despite his poor background,inspired many. Upon his retirement, he continued towork ceaselessly to promote the sport and did extensivework on childrens causes through UNICEF. However,there are those who effect changes that may becontroversial. For example, Hitlers attempt to change

the German community resulted in military conflicts andgenocide which caused great misery and horror in thehistory of mankind.


Singaporeanmatters



In our society, there are many who have madecontributions for the good of the community. Some ofthem take on leadership roles in various fields. Otherscontribute in their own ways within their families or

communities they live in. Some are recognised for theirgood work but often many go unnoticed except for thepeople whom they have touched. Nonetheless, these arestill people who make a difference in whatever areasthey choose to serve in and our society is enrichedbecause of their good work.

The Singapore

Heartbeat

Possible discussion questions: Who are some people who have shaped human history

in the way they impacted the world? In what ways did they impact the world? How does

history judge the way they impacted the world? What are the qualities they demonstrated and what do

you admire and dislike most about these qualities?

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Who are the people who inspire you? Why do youadmire them? What can you learn from them?

How have these people demonstrated leadership?

Unit 2: Making a difference beyond our borders (includes a practical component)

Learning Outcomes

Values/ Attitudes/

Scope of Content and Unit Questions Related MessagesQualitiesDevelopments beyond our bordersStudents will be able to:

explain the reasons for aneed to be engaged inissues of global concern

examine the keycontemporary issues ofglobal concern

explore how they cancontribute to thebetterment of the world

DOE:With advancements in technology and communication,our world is rapidly shaped by the forces of globalisation.The impact of these changes means that individuals andnations are no longer isolated, but are closely connected.An example of such connectedness is how the appallingimpact of the tsunami disaster on 26 Dec 2004 wascommunicated rapidly around the world, which led to aglobal mobilisation of aid for the affected countries withindays. This event demonstrated that we are not living justas citizens of Singapore but are also members of a widercommunitythe world. As such we all have a stake inunderstanding and perhaps, shaping the globaldevelopments as we are being shaped by them.

Altruism Being visionary Be resilient and

resolute Commitment Creativity Have a sound


Empathy Foresight Humility Understand what

it takes to inspireand motivateothers

Integrity Our Shared

Values Passion Perseverance

Singapore 21Vision:

Responsibility Resourcefulness

Some of the global issues that affect us include: Service to thepeople

EverySingaporeanmatters

- terrorism- natural calamities- environmental issues, e.g. global warming and

depletion of natural resources Opportunities for

all- economic competition Strong families:

Our foundation- ethical issues related to technological advancements,

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and our futuree.g. therapeutic cloning and stem-cell research- healthcare concerns. e.g. Acquired ImmuneDeficiency Syndrome (AIDs), avian or bird flu(H5N1), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)


As responsible global citizens, we need to think beyondour borders and consider how we can contribute tohumanity and the betterment of the world we live in.

Some ways of contributing include:- engaging in global issues of concern by being aware

and supporting causes that seek to address theseissues

- advocating environmental protection- promoting friendship and understanding with citizens

of other countries;- volunteering for activities that promote international

goodwill, e.g. Youth Expedition Programme,Singapore Volunteer Overseas Programme, overseasCommunity Involvement Programmes

- contributing to humanitarian causes spearheaded byinternational agencies

Possible discussion questions: Why should I be concerned about developments

around the world? What is responsible global citizenship? What are the local, regional and global organisations

that aim to contribute to the well-being of the regionor the world?

How do they promote their cause? Do the endsjustify the means?

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How can I contribute to the well-being of the regionand the world?

Research Component: Overseas Community ActionProjectStudents can be asked to research on the different typesof overseas community action projects that wereundertaken by youth from Singapore and other countries.

The aim of this assignment is to enable them tounderstand that they can play a role in contributing to thewell-being of the world and to explore the differentpossibilities of reaching out and helping the needy beyondSingapore.

Based on their research and adopting the Service-Learning approach, students will propose an innovative

and meaningful project, taking into consideration theneeds of the community for which the project is targetedat, and factors such as funding, logistics and overseascontacts.

Students proposals could be assessed based on criteriasuch as:- Project feasibility

- Learning outcomes and processes- Knowledge and skills learnt- Funding and cost effectiveness- Benefitsof project

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Unit 1: How do you construct a Singaporean?



The making of a SingaporeanStudents will be able to: identify the challenges

confronting Singapore

examine the differentways of responding tothese challenges

appreciate the differentroles Singaporeans canplay in meeting thechallenges

Civic-consciousness

DOEAs a small country situated in a geo-political environmentthat is vulnerable to forces of change, our nation has tobe adaptable and responsive to these changes. While wehave done well in the past in improving the lives ofSingaporeans, there is an increasing desire among manySingaporeans to build a caring, gracious and inclusive

society which is open to ideas and has a broaderdefinition of success.

Have a soundsense of socialresponsibility

Commitment Compassion Determination Be able to think

independently

and creatively

Openness Passion Resourcefulness Have an

entrepreneurialand creativespirit

Respect ServiceWe can be engaged in the shaping of Singapores future

in many areas. These include: participating in civic activities like volunteerism, and

sharing ideas and suggestions or participating infeedback sessions

Strive forexcellence

Have a zest for

life expanding and maintaining the common spaceamong the different racial groups

promoting a way of life that strengthens family ties narrowingthe gaps within society, such as the socio-

economic divideSingapore 21Vision: Every

Singaporeanmatters

Singapore Our Future

Big Idea:Everyone can lead in making Singapore uniqueEssential Question:What makes a Singaporean?

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Through these activities, we foster a deeper sense ofbelonging to Singapore and strengthen community bonds.At the same time, we ensure that everyone has anopportunity to maximise their potential and contribute tothe building of our home Singapore.

Opportunitiesfor all Strong families:


The SingaporeHeartbeatPossible discussion questions:

What is our Singapore culture?

How is the Singapore identity forged by ourparticipation in civic activities?

What is common space? Why is it important forSingapore to have common spaces?

What are some of the challenges faced bySingapore? How can we overcome these challenges?

Unit 2: My Singapore



People who make a difference in SingaporeStudents will be able to: appreciate the role of

those who contribute toSingapores development

explore their role incontributing toSingapores development

DOE:As a young nation, Singapore has grown to become avibrant city-state. The success we experience today wouldnot be possible if not for the vision, hard work, andcommitment of the first generation of Singaporeans.Together with their leaders, they rallied together for theircommon goals displaying qualities like passion,responsibility, perseverance with a firm belief in equalityto build a multi-racial and meritocratic society.

Being visionary Commitment Be resilient and

resolute Determination Our Shared

Values Have a sound

sense of socialresponsibility Optimism

Resilience Understandwhat it takes toinspire andmotivate others

Responsibility Risk-taking

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Many of the first generation Singaporeans played a vitalrole in shaping the society we are in today. In thedifferent fields they were in, they contributed to buildinga society that makes racial equality and harmony the keytenets of our nation. Many took on leadership positions intheir fields and made a difference. Those who weresuccessful worked to look after the needs of those in thecommunity. One example is Lee Kong Chian, a prominent

business leader who was also famous for his contributionsto education. Today, the Lee Foundation continues hisvision by offering monetary support in various educationalcauses.

Understandwhat it takes to

lead Singapore

NE: We must

upholdmeritocracy and

incorruptibility Singapore is our

homeland: Thisis where Ibelong

No one owesSingapore aliving. We have

confidence inour future

Many Singaporeans continue to build Singapore today intheir various areas of influence. Some take a keeninterest in the needs and concerns of the Singapore

society. Others contribute to Singapore through theirachievements locally or in the global arena. As Singaporegrows and becomes a cosmopolitan city attracting peoplefrom all over, everyone in Singapore plays a role shapingthe culture and values of this island-state. These arepeople who in their own ways contribute in the capacityof the roles they play as citizens and parents, and in thedifferent vocations they are in.


Singaporeanmatters

Opportunitiesfor allPossible discussion questions:

Who are some people who make a difference inSingapore?

Strong families:Our foundationand our future In what ways did they make a difference? What are

the challenges they faced and the qualities theydemonstrated?


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How are these qualities linked to leadership in thecommunity?

My role in making a difference in SingaporeWith improvement in technology and communication, it iseasy to uproot and move to another place. As Singaporegrows into a cosmopolitan city that attracts people from

all over the world, the presence of diversity of people andtalents can shape the nature of the society and its values.For a country with people as its key resource, our youthhave an important role to play in the shaping of thevalues our society represents.

A key factor is in the forging of the Singapore identitythat transcends ethno-cultural and/or socio-economic

differences. This identity is defined by our common visionof Singapore as a place we call home. It also includes theability to appreciate commonalities and the commonspaces we share.

Our hopes and aspirations rest with the future destiny ofSingapore and everyone has a role to play in shaping thatdestiny. We celebrate our successes and rally together in

times of crisis as we forge our bonds with each other andwith Singapore. We need to actively seek new ways andopportunities to build and strengthen the ties within oursociety. As these ties take time to build up, it is an on-going process requiring effort, understanding, patienceand perseverance.

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Some ways that our youth can contribute in shapingSingapores future are:- appreciating the commonalities among the diverse

groups and the common space shared by allSingaporeans

- developing an interest in national issues e.g.participating in feedback sessions to provide theirviews on key issues

- volunteering for worthwhile causes, both local andoverseas

- having an attitude of commitment, perseverance andexcellence towards both work and play

Possible discussion questions: What are some of the common hopes and aspirations

that Singaporean youth share?

What inspires our youth to contribute to shapingSingapores future? How can we help to achievesome of these aspirations?

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Civics Pre University 2007

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