HIDDEN_ADDENDA, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS: DR LEE BOON YANG

Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts

MICA is committed to the transformation of Singapore into a vibrant global city by developing the infocomm, arts and creative sectors, while rooting Singaporeans emotionally to our home and strengthening national resilience.

Seizing opportunities

Building on our strong foundation in IT, the Infocomm Development Authority will implement a 10-year Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) masterplan which will strengthen Singapore’s competitiveness by harnessing IT for key economic sectors. We will establish a Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure by 2012. When completed, this Next-Generation Infrastructure will be a critical enabler to build new capabilities and transform our industries. There will be new opportunities in infocomm, media, arts and design. We will also continue to strengthen local infocomm enterprises and develop a globally competitive infocomm and media savvy workforce. IT will drive our economic growth and provide good jobs for our citizens.

The Creative Industries Development Strategy comprising the Renaissance City Project, Design Singapore and Media 21 masterplans will raise our capability for innovation, encourage the creation of intellectual property and facilitate access to global markets for made-by Singapore content, products and services.

Singapore can be a Global Interactive and Digital Media (IDM) Capital. MICA will partner the National Research Foundation to conduct R&D in IDM. The Ministry will set up an IDM R&D programme, develop R&D manpower and facilitate the commercialisation of R&D outcomes.

Nurturing Singaporeans

Singaporeans will be encouraged to participate in the creative economy through programmes, such as Creative Community Singapore, which support individual and community projects in the creative industries. MICA will award Creative Industries Scholarships to nurture the best young talents. In addition, MICA will begin student enrolment in 2007 for the School for the Arts, which opens in 2008.

Through the President’s Design Award, MICA will recognise the contributions of our design talents and encourage excellence in designs that improve the quality of life and enhance national competitiveness.

The Library 2010 Plan will cater to the learning needs of Singaporeans. We will provide services to stimulate lifelong learning, increase knowledge resources, create social and learning spaces and use technologies for effective learning.

Building a vibrant global city

MICA will contribute towards making Singapore the best home for Singaporeans and global talents. The Renaissance City Project will continue to fund initiatives to promote greater public engagement in arts and culture, support new works and encourage a greater diversity of involvement in our arts and cultural sectors.

Our arts and cultural infrastructure will be further improved with the development of the National Art Gallery and the conversion of the Asian Civilisations Museum into the Peranakan Museum (by 2008). These projects will provide the community with more avenues for arts and cultural appreciation.

Fostering social harmony and resilience

MICA will nurture national resilience through its public communications and education efforts. We will ensure Singaporeans have ready access to accurate Government information on conventional and online platforms, especially in crises. MICA will support the national Community Engagement Programme by involving the arts and cultural sectors in preserving social harmony and resilience during crises.

Our citizens’ ties to the nation will be strengthened through nation building events, such as the annual HeritageFest, Explore Singapore!, as well as community engagement projects through the collaborative efforts of our museums, libraries and grassroots organisations.

Reaching out to the world

Finally, MICA will reach out and engage the global community by growing the Singapore brand and reputation. We will adopt a whole-of-government approach by co-leading the National Marketing Action Committee with MTI to coordinate Government’s marketing efforts in positioning and promoting

Singapore internationally.

MICA’s efforts in cultural diplomacy, such as the Asian Media Festival, Singapore Design Festival, Singapore Season in China (2007) and Singapore Biennale 2008, will strengthen ties with Singaporeans abroad and stakeholders overseas. These initiatives will raise awareness of Singapore’s creative and cultural achievements by showcasing our talent in media, design and the arts.

MICA will harness the economic potential of the arts, design, culture, heritage, media and IT to create new opportunities for employment and growth. We will cultivate understanding amidst our diversity, instil a sense of pride and shared identity amongst Singaporeans. In doing so, we will position Singapore as the place to be: home for our citizens, and a global city with a world of opportunities.