A racial harmony adventure camp called the ‘TRUST Journey’ was organized by Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) and Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) for teenagers to learn more about racial harmony and appreciate the cultural diversity in Singapore. I believe that these kinds of activity involving the youth of our community is important as the youth is Singapore’s future, and they must learn and understand the importance of racial harmony and peace. If the youth are dismissive about racial harmony, it could lead to many disagreements, fights and other social conflict within Singapore and it would not only damage only a small number of people, but rather the entire Singapore society. If the youth understood that Singapore can survive so long in peace is due to racial harmony within the races and religions, then they will continue to practice racial harmony and pass the knowledge and passion to the next generation. Peace is not given, peace is earned. -Ong Yue Er
Personally, I feel that the government’s attempts in bonding Singapore are quite successful. Although at times there may be racial or religious conflicts, they are mostly minor ones which do not really cause any major harm. Due to the government, measures are taken such that people learn about the importance of being bonded, and also ways to be bonded with minimum conflicts. Measures are also taken to ensure that every single race/ religion is treated equally such that no one will feel left out or unfairly treated. This is one major factor that leads to a peaceful Singapore. Children are also born into a multiracial and multi-religion society from young, and so they learn to not discriminate one another from a very young age. Therefore, because Singaporeans are generally bonded, I feel that the government is successful in bonding Singapore. -Teng Yi Fei
Personally, I feel that the government’s attempts in bonding Singapore are quite successful. Although at times there may be racial or religious conflicts, they are mostly minor ones which do not really cause any major harm. Due to the government, measures are taken such that people learn about the importance of being bonded, and also ways to be bonded with minimum conflicts. Measures are also taken to ensure that every single race/ religion is treated equally such that no one will feel left out or unfairly treated. This is one major factor that leads to a peaceful Singapore. Children are also born into a multiracial and multi-religion society from young, and so they learn to not discriminate one another from a very young age. Therefore, because Singaporeans are generally bonded, I feel that the government is successful in bonding Singapore. -Teng Yi Fei
The plan of the Singapore National Games is to mould society into one cohesive team through sports. National athletes and non—citizens like permanent residents and those with work passes can also take part. The aim is to bring competition into the heart of the community. People Association’s deputy chairman said: "There’s a saying that a family that eat together, stay together. And for us, in organising the Singapore National Games, we believe that Singaporeans who work together, live together, play together, will stay as one people, as one nation." Allowing non—citizens into the Games — meant to bond Singaporeans — is perhaps an acknowledgement that sports needs to be more inclusive.
Singapore is a multi-ethnic society, thus issues such as race and religion can be used to cause conflict and distrust among the different groups. If Singaporeans are not bonded, there will be lack of understanding between each other which will create suspicion and unhappiness among each other. If the unhappiness persists, this will result in violence outbreaks between racial groups. Why is bonding Singapore important ? Through these bonding activities create by the ministers for Singaporeans, trust and harmony will be gradually nurtured within the people. With mutual understanding towards each other, conflicts are less likely to happen between the different ethnic groups. Threats from external force will not affect the bond between Singaporeans easily too. Also through the years and happenings, Singaporeans have the determination to maintain harmonious living environment that we have been fortunate to enjoy all these years and will continue to nurture the spirit in our future generations. Common practices bond Singaporeans together; singing the national anthem and taking the pledge helps to foster national identity and everyone is together, as one nation. Developing common space for the community provides a platform for social interaction between the different groups and understanding among each other can be deepened. Common living space provided by public housing ensures that there is an even distribution of the different races in all the housing estates. Being bonded and living harmoniously in Singapore creates security and peace, boosts economic progress. -Wong Yi Hui
Celebrating Fitness, Bonding and Fun
A spirit of sporting enthusiasm surged through the city of Singapore this morning as more than 70,000 runners thronged the streets in the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon's 20th Anniversary. Images of excitement, determination and exhilaration were set against Singapore's iconic landmarks including recent developments such as Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer and, for the first time, Gardens By The Bay (Bay East). 3 runs: The 21-kilometre AHM competitive and non-competitive run, the SAFRA 10-kilometre Race, the 5-kilometre Fun Run. To recognise the months of training put in by our Army's running talent and encourage teamwork, awards were presented to the fastest runners and Army formation teams. Members of the 2nd People's Defence Force team which has consistently done well each year, were proud that regular team training helped many of them set a personal best record. Others also overcame personal difficulties to achieve worthy accomplishments. Dads for Life 800m Father and Child Challenge and other carnival games ensured that there was something for families and friends as well. Its the energy of the large crowd running together and the festive atmosphere that kept the competitors going as one."
I think that Singaporeans should stay as one to participate more in such activities. This could bond many citizens together and bond Singapore as one united country. Singapore is a multi-ethnic society, in this run, there will be definitely people of different ethnic groups that are in the same run, this would enable them to bond together and allow them to know about each other more, thus able to reduce the chance of having ethnic conflicts. By maintaining peace in Singapore we can enjoy a conflict-free life as compared to the people in Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. By giving out awards to the fastest runners from Army, this will also motivate them to train more and do better and have a sense of belonging, so they would feel like they belong to Singapore and will thus they will feel like this is what they are defending and this is what they are fighting for. Running past iconic landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands also can create a deeper impression of the landmarks that represent Singapore to the other countries, this will allow the new citizens (PR) to know more about Singapore’s developments and will make them feel they are also part of Singapore. The bonding games like the Father and Child challenge could also strengthen family bonds, especially between fathers and children because fathers have to work most of the time on weekdays and on weekends they will be too tired to interact or play with their children. By having such bonding games, they could make use of it to bond and spend time with other thus strengthening their bonds. Bonding is very important especially in a small country like Singapore. We must strengthen our bonds together and stay united as one. If we already start having ethnic conflicts internally, it will be seen as a potential target for other countries to invade us when there is a war. Thus, we must stay together as one red dot and learn to understand people of other religions or races so as to achieve a peaceful and safe society. -Ong Xiao Yue
National Games
Singapore's
newest community-bonding sports initiative - the National Games 2012 - was
launched on Saturday.
The plan is to mould society into one cohesive team through sports. National
athletes and non-citizens like permanent residents and those with work passes
can also take part, but they will be capped at 20 percent of team members. Dragon
boating, football, bowling and athletics are among 10 events featured in the
Games. Competition will be held at various venues like educational institutes,
the Bedok Reservoir and the Singapore Sports School. The aim is to bring
competition into the heart of the community. The
Singapore National Games will be held once every two years. Organisers want people of all ages and
backgrounds to join in. Participants are encouraged to form teams consisting of
people with different abilities.
I feel that the Singaporean government is
successful in bonding Singaporeans together. The National Games allows
Singapore to become one united country. People of all ages and backgrounds are
also welcomed to join in and are encouraged to form teams consisting of people
with different abilities. In Singapore, it is very important for the people to
bond as one. I feel that allowing non-citizens into the National Games which
are meant to bond Singaporeans is perhaps an acknowledgement that sports needs
to be more inclusive. This will also create a sense of belonging and
commonality amongst the people even if they are of different races and
religions. The people will also not feel neglected by their own country. Having
the National Games is an effective way to keep Singaporeans bonded as they will
be more patriotic and develop a sense of loyalty towards their country. The
people will also see themselves as one united people and this will therefore
strengthen social bonds. -Annalisa Aung
