Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower, at the Kindness Cheer Competition Finals on Saturday, 8 April 2006, at 2pm at The Plaza, National Library Building

SPEECH BY MR GAN KIM YONG, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT THE KINDNESS CHEER COMPETITION FINALS ON SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 2006, AT 2PM AT THE PLAZA, NATIONAL LIBRARY BUILDING

Mr Noel Hon, Chairman, Singapore Kindness Movement
Distinguished Guests,
Teachers and Parents,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Girls and Boys.

I am pleased to be here today at the inaugural Kindness Cheer Competition Finals organised by the Singapore Kindness Movement.

2. Our multicultural society, open economy, and rapid modernisation over the last few decades have shaped Singapore into one of the most cosmopolitan states in the world today. While we aim to be one of the most attractive destinations in Asia, we must also be a gracious society that cares for its people and the environment.

3. Graciousness, or kindness, needs to exist in every home. Yet even when it does, there will still be times when we say or do things that hurt or upset our loved ones. Such small acts of inconsideration include hogging the TV, with no thought for others who might want to watch a different channel. If you find this familiar, remember: You are never too young and it is never too late to show kindness to your family members.

4. Parents also have a crucial part to play. You can actively teach your children from young to be kind and to show respect and consideration to others. You are the best teachers and role models for your children. Indeed, studies have shown that the home plays a key role in nurturing good values and habits in children.

5. Kindness in the family is important. In fact, kindness begins at home. A person who shows and receives kindness in the family is likely to demonstrate kindness towards people outside the family. This is why kindness should abound in every household. Not only does it strongly gel your family together, kindness in your family will lead you to show kindness to others.

6. Let us also think about how we can be kind to the environment. Though often forgotten, being responsible and environmentally-friendly should come naturally to all of us, saving energy by switching off lights and fans when they are not being used, and reducing water wastage, can help conserve the environment’s limited resources.

7. We must also show kindness in public transport such as buses and the MRT as well as public places like libraries, food courts and shopping centres. If we are considerate, others will enjoy the facilities as well. For example, if we observe silence in the library’s reading area, all library users can enjoy the facilities in a more pleasant environment.

8. Our education system aims to nurture our children into responsible adults, responsible to yourself, your community and your country. When you grow up with the right values like kindness and can show kindness to yourself, your family, your friends and the environment, you will be a gracious person. And if all of us do it, we will become a gracious society.

9. We learn best when we enjoy learning. Cheerleading is a cool and hip activity among the young people. As a matter of fact, a number of schools now offer cheerleading as a CCA. In cheerleading, participants learn about teamwork, a critical factor which requires precise co-ordination in the areas of voice, movements and formation.

10. Using a cheerleading competition to promote kindness among the young means that that they will learn this valuable attitude while they are having fun. I would like to commend the Singapore Kindness Movement for adopting such an innovative approach to create awareness about and instill kindness among students. The theme of the Kindness Cheer Competition are of ‘Kindness in the Family’ and ‘Kindness to the Environment’. These are precisely values that we would like our young to embrace.

11. I can sense the mounting excitement in the air and, like all of you, I am eager for the Cheer Competition to start. I would like to congratulate all 10 teams who have made it to the finals. You are already winners! But winning is not the final goal. I hope you can learn about kindness through the competition and show kindness in your family and to the environment!