Latest news with #ProjectCitizens–TheFirstMillion
The Star
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore at 60: A founders' memorial
ON the morning of Aug 9, 1965, Dileep Nair was with his family at his aunt's home, a day after her wedding. That day, at 10am, the proclamation of Singapore's independence was announced on the radio, bringing to an end a turbulent union with Malaysia, and resulting in the birth of a new nation. Later that day, Nair – then 15 – watched with his family as founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew broke down during a televised press conference where he addressed Singapore's separation from Malaysia. Nair, 75, said the telecast was paused for some time after Lee broke down. He said: 'It was a very significant thing at that point in time, but maybe the import was more on the older generations. (They wondered) whether job security was going to be there, whether there was going to be food on the table, and all these other matters... it was certainly something that will always be remembered by me all my life.' Stories like Nair's are being collected as part of a year-long Founders' Memorial initiative that focuses on Singapore's founding generation. The initiative, called Project Citizens – The First Million, which started in April, has three parts: a programme to engage seniors and collect their stories; pop-up installations; and an exhibition that will open in October. The stories that are being collected under Project Citizens may be showcased at the Founders' Memorial, an institution that commemorates the values and ideals exemplified by Singapore's first-generation leaders, slated to open in Gardens by the Bay's Bay East Garden in 2028. ALSO READ: The story of a separation Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, who visited a pop-up installation at Woodlands Regional Library on June 18, said more than 200 seniors were engaged by Founders' Memorial volunteers from April to mid June under the senior engagement programme. These programmes have taken place in locations such as active ageing centres, libraries and community clubs. Each run of the programme comprises two two-hour sessions, where trained volunteers help participants to recount and record their stories through activities and intergenerational conversations. More than 140 volunteers have been trained by the memorial to run the programmes, with the goal to have more than 120 runs by the end of March 2026. Wai Chung Tai, senior assistant director of partnerships and engagement for the memorial, said that Project Citizens will be a permanent display at the memorial, although its exact form has yet to be decided. During the runs that have been held thus far, participants were invited to share stories on values they held on to during Singapore's early independence years, such as multiculturalism. Among the participants was Dennis Tan, 68, who was a primary school pupil when racial riots broke out in 1964. Tan, who was then living in a kampung in Balestier, recalled that the riots felt 'like a dark cloud hanging over you'. 'There were a lot of rumours... people talking and gossiping,' he said. 'Communications between neighbours were through word of mouth, so there were a lot of falsehoods. I didn't know what to believe and what to expect.' Nevertheless, said Tan, people of different ethnicities still helped each other despite the tensions, such as by housing others from different races when they were stranded after curfews kicked in at night. He said that stories like these emphasise 'the importance of harmony, unity and community spirit' for younger Singaporeans. ALSO READ: It still hurts Another participant in the senior programme, Juminah Mohamad Nor, said it was at parties as a student where she learnt to appreciate the differences between different religions, and the importance of respecting differences. She recalls attending a party in a Chinese household but not being able to eat, because she needed halal-certified food as a Muslim. Despite this, the 77-year-old said she and her friends enjoyed themselves because they learnt to respect each other and came to appreciate differences in habits between races. (From left) Nair, Juminah and Tan are among the seniors who have shared their stories with the Founders' Memorial. — The Straits Times/ANN In his speech, Neo said the exhibition to be launched in October will bring to life 'the dilemmas and tensions faced by our founding generation in forging one nation out of many people'. He said visitors will learn about how multiculturalism has been fostered by the Government and Singaporeans, and will be challenged to explore its relevance today. 'We are not mere spectators but active participants forging a culture of multiculturalism that is uniquely Singapore, where everyone can come together and celebrate our unity in diversity,' said Neo. — The Straits Times/ANN
AsiaOne
18-06-2025
- General
- AsiaOne
'I want to leave behind something to contribute to the younger generation': Project Citizens initiative commemorates founding generation
He was only seven years old when racial riots broke out in Singapore in 1964, but the memories of those dark, scary times remain vivid in his mind more than 60 years on. "I felt insecure all the time," Dennis Tan, 68, told AsiaOne, as he recalled his formative years and the fear that gripped his neighbourhood during the turbulent period. Tan, a retiree, is a participant in the Senior Engagement Programme organised by the Founders' Memorial to mark Singapore's 60th year of independence. The programme, which is part of the Project Citizens – The First Million initiative, collects stories from Singapore's founding generation of citizens which bring to life the values they exemplified during the nation-building years. Tan, who's married with no children, was keen to contribute his stories as a legacy for the younger generation. "I want to leave behind something to contribute to the younger generation, and it's good to hear it first-hand," he told AsiaOne. He said he was too young to understand the gravity of the riots but recalled "rumours" of mistrust between the Chinese and Malays which led to an islandwide curfew being imposed. "Rumours [spread] like wildfire," he said, adding that "everybody seemed to be talking about it (the unrest)." One memory stood out for Tan — he saw his mother carrying iron pipes to their kampung's communal bathroom as a precautionary measure, in case violence broke out. "I will fight to my death to defend my family," he remembered her telling a neighbour, a moment which further deepened his respect for his mother. Known for being "gentle and soft on the outside", he was shocked to see the "tough side of her" emerge to protect her loved ones. He labelled the experience of living through the riots as "very unpleasant", saying that the harmony Singapore currently enjoys is the "fabric of society" and "cannot be taken for granted". 'Priceless insights into Singapore's early years' Tan's story is among over 200 accounts from Singapore's earliest citizens collected for the Senior Engagement Programme. Some of these stories will be included in the 26 Project Citizens – The First Million pop-ups organised by the Founders' Memorial, to be held at community hubs and libraries. The pop-ups feature stories of Singapore's founding generation, dioramas depicting scenes of early life in Singapore, and interactive zones where visitors can leave messages for the founding generation. One pop-up is currently being held at Woodlands Regional Library, which will be open till Aug 5. In attendance at an official event held at the library on Wednesday (June 18) afternoon was Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, David Neo. He delivered the opening remarks as Guest-of-Honour, thanking participants and volunteers for honouring the contributions of Singapore's founding generation. Neo also said that there is much to learn from the founding generation's "resilience, hard work and determination" as Singapore forges ahead in its 60th year of independence. "Their stories offer us priceless insights into Singapore's early years — when questions of citizenship, economic survival and multicultural harmony hung in the balance," he said. At the same time, he expressed hope that the stories presented will serve as conversation starters about what citizenship means to Singaporeans and spark deeper reflection on how Singaporeans can build a better future for generations to come. He concluded with a quote by S Rajaratnam, one of Singapore's founding leaders: "Being a Singaporean is not a matter of ancestry, but a choice of conviction." Paying tribute to the founding generation Project Citizens — The First Million was first launched in April as part of SG60 and pays tribute to independent Singapore's founding generation. The year-long project focuses on the one million people who registered as Singapore's first citizens shortly after it gained independence in 1965, drawing on their experiences during Singapore's early years. Project Citizens comprises three initiatives: the Senior Engagement Programme, Project Citizens pop-ups, and Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore. "More than 200 members of Singapore's founding generation have stepped forward with their stories through the Senior Engagement Programme so far," said Wai Chung Tai, Senior Assistant Director, Partnerships & Programmes, Founders' Memorial. In partnership with organisations such as Agency for Integrated Care, People's Association and National Library Board, the programme has engaged seniors like Tan to collect personal memories like unrest in Singapore, learning a second language in school, and picking up new skills at work. Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore will be an art and interactive media exhibition at the National Gallery starting in October. As a culmination to Project Citizens' efforts, it explores multiculturalism and how it has impacted Singapore's history, while also inspiring visitors to reflect on how they can actively shape Singapore's future. The stories collected through Project Citizens will shape the content at Founders' Memorial. This includes a display where selected stories will be featured when it opens in end 2028 at Bay East Garden. "We hope their stories will inspire present and future generations to continue their footsteps and commit and contribute to Singapore's story. Through continued public engagement from day one, we are building a Memorial that reflects our shared experiences and aspirations, forging a shared identity as we bring Singapore forward," said Lee Tzu Yang, co-chair of the Founders' Memorial Committee. [[nid:719060]]
The Independent
17-03-2025
- The Independent
Where City Meets Nature: Singapore's Incredible Architectural Fusion
After more than 50 years of green initiatives, Singapore has evolved into a biophilic City in Nature where nature is at the heart of construction. Brick walls and windows are replaced with living walls of sprawling foliage, plants crawl up skyscrapers, and rooftops are turned into urban farms that supply fruits and vegetables to neighbouring restaurants. There's even a network of paths and trails that connect the city's parks and green spaces to one another, meaning people can walk, cycle and run between each one while staying within the confines of nature. It's easy to see why living space isn't measured in square metres here but instead by the amount of nature it contains. This year sees Singapore celebrate 60 years of independence with a series of nationwide events promoting unity and reflection on shared values. The SG60 programme will include the introduction of new community-driven initiatives, focus on strengthening bonds and fostering public involvement. Project Citizens – The First Million, a tribute to Singapore's founding generation, will be part of the celebrations at the Founders' Memorial. While other events like Racial and Religious Harmony Month and Singapore World Water Day will foster civic engagement and highlight core social values and underscore Singapore's ongoing commitment to green initiatives and intertwining city and nature. Visit Singapore hotels Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 6 Visit Singapore Views Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 6 Visit Singapore gallery Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 6
