MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

MR ABDULLAH TARMUGI Minister for Community Development

1. The mission of the Ministry of Community Development (MCD) is to build a cohesive, compassionate and resilient society.

2. Over the next five years, MCD will focus on the following strategic thrusts:

(a) support and strengthen the family;

(b) build up a dynamic and vibrant people sector; and

(c) anticipate and prepare for an ageing population.

Strengthening Families

3. The Singapore family remains relatively strong. However, it is under increasing pressure in a fast-changing, highly globalised world. The trends towards nuclear, smaller families and dual-income families as well as the many demands of urban living are changing the nature of family life in Singapore.

4. MCD will work together with the civic groups and community leaders to help families prepare for and cope with the demands of modern living. MCD will formulate and develop family life programmes, ranging from marriage preparation courses to parenting education. We will also help parents to acquire values and skills to build healthy and functional families.

5. In addition, MCD will enhance community services for the family, such as child care and student care centres, to give parents good and affordable alternative care services for their children while they are at work.

Assistance for Families in Need

6. MCD will develop social programmes to promote socially responsible individuals and strong families. The Government and the community will also work together to provide a safety net to help the less fortunate and to help them to help themselves. MCD will provide financial assistance to low-income families to help them break out of the poverty trap and be self-reliant.

Building the People Sector

7. The Ministry will play its part in nurturing a cohesive society with active citizenship and a vibrant people sector. Singaporeans must work together to help their less fortunate fellow citizens contribute to their community.

8. A more sophisticated and educated younger generation of Singaporeans is emerging. The People's Association will develop more innovative programmes and modern facilities to meet their demands and expectations. Community centres and clubs will run activities to strengthen community relations and social cohesion.

9. The Feedback Unit will reach out to more Singaporeans to obtain varied and representative feedback. It will also inform and explain to opinion makers and grassroots leaders the rationale and details of Government policies.

10. The role of the Community Development Councils (CDCs) will be enlarged. Additional responsibilities and tasks to serve the citizens, currently under the purview of the MCD, Ministry of Health and other concerned agencies, will be delegated to the CDCs. The objective is to foster a stronger participation in community programmes by the residents in their respective districts.

11. Volunteerism will be promoted through the establishment of the National Volunteer Centre, by the end of the year. The volunteer-driven Centre will provide training and research and promote good volunteer management practices, and serve as a resource both to volunteers and to volunteer user organisations.

Managing the Ageing Population

12. The number of older Singaporeans will triple by 2030. This will pose wide-ranging challenges. MCD will prepare our citizens, both young and old, to deal with these challenges.

13. MCD will strengthen public education programmes on ageing. We will encourage Singaporeans to prepare themselves for the different transitions in life - including financial security in old age. We will also encourage our elderly to stay healthy and active, and continue contributing to society. At the same time, we will encourage Singaporeans to value the elderly as a resource and actively harness their contributions.

14. MCD is reviewing its programmes for the elderly and developing a master plan for services for the elderly to be ready next year.

MUIS

15. The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) will work with the community and other Malay/Muslim organisations to strengthen religious values and family units in the context of a multi-racial, multi-religious society.