20 September 2000

SPEECH BY MR MOHAMAD MAIDIN PACKER MOHD,
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION,
AT THE NP-NVC MOU SIGNING CEREMONY CUM EXHIBITION ON VOLUNTEERISM
ON WEDNESDAY, 20 SEP 2000, THE ATRIUM, NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, AT 10.00 AM

I am pleased to join you at this morning's MOU signing ceremony between Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the National Volunteer Centre.

2 The subject of volunteerism is one that is very close to my heart. Martin Luther King Jr, the late American civil rights leader, once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" Thanks to the strong sense of volunteerism that has always existed in our society, we are able to answer this question rather comfortably. Indeed, there are many examples from all sectors of our society to illustrate the spirit of volunteerism throughout our history, as well as many modern-day episodes of volunteerism to warm our hearts.

3 However, there is always room for improvement as our society progresses and we become more successful. In his speech at the official opening of the National Volunteer Centre on 7 July 2000, the Prime Minister said that the challenge for Singapore would be to improve on the present level of community spirit. A recent survey by the National Volunteer Centre has shown that 1 in 9 Singaporeans is involved in volunteer work. What are the reasons for the other 8 in 9 Singaporeans not to get involved? In the survey, 74% of the non-volunteers cited the lack of time.

4 I feel that a more fundamental issue is one of priorities. In our daily life, if we think something is important enough, we will set aside time for it. Therefore, if we convince ourselves that service to our fellow men is important enough, we will surely be able to make time to provide the service. As I see it, one of the challenges for us is therefore to seek out the channels to convince Singaporeans to come forward to help the less fortunate.

5 One such channel is corporate volunteerism. With 65% of our population engaged in some form of employment, the corporate sector can play a pivotal role in building a culture of volunteerism in our country. The corporate sector can show the way by taking on a leadership role in community work, by shaping employee attitudes towards volunteerism, and by facilitating and helping to make it possible for their employees to get involved in volunteer work.

6 The MOU to be signed this morning augurs well for corporate volunteerism. I hope it will lead to a groundswell of many other collaborative partnerships between the National Volunteer Centre and corporations. I understand that NgeeAnn Polytechnic has been actively involved in volunteerism for many years. Over the years, many of the Polytechnic's staff and students have contributed to society through community service, not just locally but beyond our shores as well. The long list of awards received by the staff and students attests to their considerable efforts. As an example, just last December, the Polytechnic was presented with the Festive Care & Share Award by President S R Nathan for its active participation in Community Chest initiatives.

7 NgeeAnn Polytechnic's partnership with the National Volunteer Centre will lift its commitment to volunteerism to a higher plane. Under the partnership, NgeeAnn is introducing several initiatives which can be a framework for other corporations to follow. These include giving time off to staff to participate in volunteer work or community service projects, putting in place mechanisms to mobilise volunteers to assist the NVC in specific projects, and establishing a formal framework to manage community service efforts. I understand that the effectiveness of these new initiatives was clearly demonstrated recently, when a call for volunteers for a Children's Voice Charity Golf & Dinner event to raise funds for the Children's Cancer Society was immediately over-subscribed not long after the call was sent out. This is most encouraging!

8 The MOU to be signed between NgeeAnn Polytechnic and the National Volunteer Centre is one route to heighten corporate volunteerism. I am sure that other corporations will find other ways to facilitate volunteerism and to work with the NVC. Ultimately, no matter which route a corporation chooses to take, our pool of volunteers is enlarged and the community is enriched.

9 In conclusion, I wish NgeeAnn Polytechnic and the National Volunteer Centre all the best in working jointly to further the cause of volunteerism.