Opening Address by Prof S Jayakumar, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security at the Launch of the Singapore National Commission for UNESCO on 28 May 2008 at 8.30AM at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre

Excellencies,

Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

  1. It is my pleasure to be here this morning for the launch of the Singapore National Commission for UNESCO. I would like to thank the representatives from UNESCO and the National Commissions from the Asia-Pacific region, as well as many of our educators for joining us on this important occasion.
  2. The goal of UNESCO is to foster closer cooperation in education, science, culture and communication among its members as a means to promote stronger peace and understanding. This remains as relevant today as it was in 1945 when it was established. In a globalised world, providing access to good education, investing in science and technology, promoting greater cultural awareness and understanding, and enhancing access to information and knowledge, helps to address many of the most pressing challenges that countries face today.

Addressing Global Challenges in Education, Science, Culture and Communication and Information

Education

  1. Education is a key priority for many countries. It is a major contributing factor towards national and economic development. Countries are constantly working towards enhancing their education systems so as to better prepare their young for the future. Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Many countries still face problems relating to access to education, improving the quality of teachers and creating conducive learning environments.
  2. To this end, it is heartening to know of the good progress made under UNESCO’s leadership in the global “Education For All” (EFA) movement. Under the EFA movement, UNESCO is promoting partnerships among key stakeholders, and mobilising resources and efforts to enhance capacity building. In so doing, UNESCO helps Member States progress towards the important and meaningful goal of providing quality basic education for all children, youths and adults by 2015. The EFA aims to provide free and compulsory education for all, improve the quality of education and promote learning and life skills for young people and adults. These commendable EFA goals are in line with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals of poverty alleviation through education.
  3. In Singapore, education is a key priority. As a small state with no natural resources, human capital is our most important asset. We share the view that all children should have access to education, regardless of their race, gender, family or social background. Since our early days of self-government, we have placed strong emphasis on education, be it in improving the curriculum, training of teachers, building schools or equipping them with good infrastructure and facilities. Today, about 93% progress beyond 10 or 11 years of general education, to acquire technical, professional or tertiary education that prepare them for employment and life.
  4. As we continually adapt to global changes, our education system is evolving constantly, to ensure that it remains relevant for the future. Having uplifted standards, our current focus is on injecting more flexibility and creating more options and pathways for our young people, to cater to different learning needs and interests, and to nurture the varied talents that our students possess. The establishment of specialised secondary schools catering to sports, mathematics and science as well as the arts open up opportunities for our students who have interests and talents in these areas. Such opportunities are, however, not confined to these specialised schools. Our mainstream schools also offer different niche programmes in academic subjects, sports, visual and performing arts, and co-curricular activities. With a national school system that offers differentiation within and across schools, we seek to provide opportunities for our students to maximise their potential through education.

Science

  1. Just as education is a key focus in many countries, environmental issues, such as climate change, have, in recent years, received much attention, and sparked lively debate and action among countries. Increasingly, the world is becoming more conscious of the impact of human activities on the environment. More attention is needed to preserve the environment for sustainable development so that generations after us can continue to enjoy the quality of life which we have today. While there is much hype and sometimes even hysteria surrounding environmental issues, responsible governments and citizens need to factor their plans and actions on the sound basis of credible science and useable technology. Science and technology should form part of the strategies to address these environmental issues.
  2. In Singapore, we have been using science and technology to improve current resources to meet the growing needs of our population and industries. One example is the use of advanced dual-membrane (microfiltration and reverse osmosis) and ultraviolet technologies to produce NEWater to supplement our traditional sources of water supply.
  3. As more countries are turning to science and technology for solutions to address the environmental issues confronting us today, many programmes and initiatives in the areas of Natural Sciences as well as Social and Human Sciences under UNESCO are complementing countries’ efforts in this pursuit. Through international programmes in areas such as marine ecology, earth and basic sciences, as well as promoting greater participating in R&D, UNESCO is helping its Member States to promote science and technology policies, and build capacities in the sciences, engineering and renewable energy.

Culture

  1. In the area of culture, I believe that UNESCO can play a key role in promoting greater understanding and trust between people of different races, cultures, religions and civilisations. This is very much in line with UNESCO’s aim to build peace in the minds of men. The initiative by the Indian Government inviting international participation to help revive Nalanda University, for example, is a project which is deserving of UNESCO’s support.
  2. As a multi-cultural and multi-racial society, Singapore is committed to preserving and promoting our cultural diversity even as we engage and address modernity and transformation in an increasingly global environment, and seek to understand other cultures.
  3. The Community Engagement Programme (CEP) which involves leaders from a cross-section of our society is a key initiative introduced to foster multi-racial and multi-religious understanding among Singaporeans. The National Steering Committee (NSC) on Racial and Religious Harmony and the Inter Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) are two key components of the CEP. The NSC comprises apex ethnic, religious, community and political leaders, and provides a national platform for dialogue, to build a network of trust, and formulate strategies to strengthen community interaction and engagement. On the other hand, the IRCCs serve as a regular platform for leaders from local religious and ethnic organisations to interact and cultivate confidence, friendship and trust among them. Activities organised by IRCCs for their local communities also help to promote deeper understanding of the different races and religions among Singaporeans.
  4. Singapore has also been leveraging on its vibrant arts and cultural scene to promote multi-cultural appreciation and understanding; celebrate our national identity and shared heritage; and facilitate community engagement and bonding through arts and culture. Singapore’s efforts in this area include the Heritage Festival, the Singapore Arts Festival, the district arts festivals, and community heritage institutions. Singapore’s museums also play an important role in preserving and promoting cultural diversity.
  5. Singapore’s efforts in promoting arts and culture and preserving heritage are very much in line with UNESCO’s focus on protecting cultural heritage. Over the years, UNESCO has worked relentlessly with Member States to conserve natural sites and cultural monuments, which are important representations of the history and cultural heritage of societies. These are valuable assets that we should preserve and transmit to future generations. Through increased awareness of cultural heritage, the young will develop a sense of pride towards their own history and culture, as well as gain a better understanding of others’ cultures.

Communication and Information

  1. Communication and information, another key focus of UNESCO, serves as an important enabler to help achieve UNESCO’s goals across all three areas of education, science and culture by promoting free flow of ideas and universal access to information. Promoting access to ICT also serve as a strategic enabler for social and economic growth and development. Singapore supports this strategic objective of UNESCO. We believe in cultivating a society that is well-informed, inclusive and engaged.
  2. In Singapore, there is widespread use of ICT in our schools as our teachers and students leverage on ICT to enhance teaching and learning. The use of ICT has also enabled our students to connect with students from other countries for exchanges and joint projects.
  3. Singapore is also investing in ICT as a means to connect its citizens and build an inclusive digital society. To achieve this goal, an infocomm Masterplan, known as the iN2015 (Intelligent Nation), has been launched to set the stage for a whole new digital world of possibilities for Singapore by 2015. Some work has already been done, since the Masterplan was launched 3 years ago. For instance, Singaporeans can now benefit from convenient online access to government services. Special programmes have also been put in place to help low-income families acquire computers and broadband access, as well as to encourage and facilitate the use of ICT by the elderly. Indeed, the iN2015 Masterplan will change the way Singaporeans live, work, play and learn, and open up many new possibilities.

Launch of the Singapore National Commission for UNESCO

  1. Singapore is pleased to rejoin UNESCO as a full member in October last year. Looking ahead, Singapore hopes to contribute to UNESCO’s goals by sharing our experiences with Member States, while also learning from their valuable experiences in areas of common interest.
  2. The establishment of the Singapore National Commission for UNESCO is thus an important step in supporting Singapore’s role in UNESCO. It signals Singapore’s commitment to work towards UNESCO’s goals of peace and sustainable human development through the promotion of collaborations in education, science and culture.
  3. Chaired by my colleague Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, the Singapore National Commission as well as the three Sub-Commissions focussing on Education, Science, Culture & Information, will play a vital role in planning, coordinating and supporting Singapore’s participation in UNESCO. By bringing together senior officials and representatives from different government ministries; and educational, scientific and cultural agencies, the Singapore National Commission will be able to draw on the expertise and knowledge of its members to play a more effective role in UNESCO.
  4. I wish the Singapore National Commission every success for a meaningful and fruitful journey ahead. With this, I would now like to officially launch the Singapore National Commission for UNESCO.
  5. Thank you.