MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SPORTS

ASSOC. PROF. YAACOB IBRAHIM Acting Minister for Community Development & Sports

1. The mission of the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS) is to build a cohesive and resilient society. Over the next 5 years, we will focus on the following areas:

• Building social capital to strengthen cohesion;

• Strengthening the social safety net by linking timely and appropriate assistance to those in need with job counselling, training and placement; and

• Enhancing social services to help families discharge their care and support responsibilities.

Building Social Capital

2. A cornerstone of building social capital is strengthening multi-racial and multi-religious harmony. MCDS will continue to actively promote the integration of the different races and religions in Singapore, to encourage acceptance and mutual understanding across different ethnic and religious groups, and expand the common spaces where different communities can interact in harmony. We will work with communal and religious organisations to expand and strengthen Singaporeans' religious tolerance. The People's Association will press on to build up our grassroots organisations to extend their reach to more Singaporeans and bring them together to work for the betterment of our society.

3. MCDS will continue to work with the National Council of Social Service and the National Volunteer Centre to promote active citizenry and community self-help by encouraging volunteerism and philanthropy among Singaporeans. In particular, MCDS will focus on increasing the professionalism of the social service providers. We will work with the Community Development Councils to improve the training of social workers at the district level in order to increase the responsiveness of social service agencies within the community.

4. Sports can contribute towards community bonding and enhancing national pride. For the individual, it cultivates perseverance, discipline and a healthy lifestyle. MCDS will, through the Singapore Sports Council, further encourage sports participation and sports excellence among Singaporeans, and promote the sports industry in Singapore.

Maintaining the Social Safety Net

5. MCDS will work with the community to provide timely and appropriate assistance and relief to Singaporeans who need help, especially those affected by the current economic downturn and economic restructuring.

6. The most effective long-term solution, however, is to continue to inculcate in Singaporeans, the values of self-reliance and the dignity of work, and ensure that Singaporeans are employable and gainfully employed. MCDS, together with other agencies, will encourage individuals on government assistance to return to work by linking short-term financial assistance closely with job counselling, job search, training and placement.

Supporting Families

7. Our low fertility rate, particularly among better educated Singaporeans, continues to be an area of concern. We will continue to monitor demographic trends closely and consider new measures to address this problem.

8. The family is the basic unit of our society. MCDS will continue to drive pro-family policies and programmes, including promoting family life education, a balanced work-family environment, and improved childcare and student care arrangements. We will pay special attention to the welfare and development of children from low-income families and families at risk, to ensure that they have access to developmental and educational opportunities. In addition, we will examine the needs of various caregivers, be they caregivers to children, the elderly or the disabled, to determine how the community can offer services and support that these caregivers need.

MUIS

9. MUIS will work with the community, mosques and other Malay/Muslim organisations to strengthen religious values and family units, and guide the Singapore Malay/Muslim community into a knowledge-based economy, within a multi-religious society.