SPEECH BY MR PETER CHEN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CULTURE SOCIETY'S 'CULTURE OF PEACE' ART, CALLIGRAPHY, SCULPTURE AND POETRY EXHIBITION ON TUESDAY 23 MAY 2000 AT 7.40 PM AT THE PAVILION, FAR EAST SQUARE, SINGAPORE

Ladies and Gentlemen

2 The exhibition reflects the theme for the UN International Year 2000, focussed on the Culture of Peace. As far as I know your society is the first in Singapore to have organised an event linked to this theme on the UN calendar.

3     'Peace' may be an abstract concept but its reality is of paramount importance to mankind. It is often as elusive as it is abstract. It evokes images of harmony, calmness, stillness and order. Peace can be viewed from a spectrum of perspectives - from that of the individual, the community, the state and between nations. At the individual level, the concept of peace inspires us to strive to make tolerance and respect for other's dignity a part of our daily lives. As the French moralist, Rochefoucauld (rosh-foo-ko), once said, 'If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.'

4     Peace is living in harmony with our natural environment. As artists who excel in such diverse fields as painting, Chinese calligraphy, sculpture and poetry, you will be able to truly appreciate the creativity that flows from a sense of oneness with your environment.

5     To give form and expression to a notion as abstract as 'Peace' is a challenging task. I am therefore impressed by the efforts of your society to use your many talents to express the concept of 'Peace' through the different art forms and poetry.

6     Art comes naturally to children. Their uninhibited ability to express themselves arises from their innocence, their innate sense of curiosity and wonderment at the environment around them. The Arts Contest for children provides an opportunity for children to freely express their creativity and their own unadulterated notion of harmony and of 'Peace'.

7     The poems, messages, quotations and sayings on peace on display at this exhibition will later be assembled and sent to the United Nations in support of this year's UN International Year 2000 for the Culture of Peace. These messages will be taken beyond our shores and beyond the physical limitations of location and time. Technology has also been harnessed to allow a worldwide audience to revel in the art created here at any time of the day or night. A Virtual Art Gallery has been set up in a move to promote Singapore's artistic talents on an international level.

8     While firmly rooted in Singapore your society has also adopted an international focus. You will be undertaking fund-raising efforts in support of two UN initiatives - assisting the UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) to raise funds for the education of children in Bintan, and for goods and services for East Timor.

9     Once again, I congratulate you on this endeavour to reach out to the community and the world. You remind us to take time out from our fast-paced lives to reflect on how we can understand and promote the culture of peace in our individual ways.

10    I wish you all the best for the 'Culture of Peace' exhibition, as well as other projects you have planned for this year. I now take great pleasure in declaring this exhibition open.

11    Thank you.