Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, at the Social Innovators' Open Forum on Saturday, 15 December 2007 at 9.00 am at the DBS Auditorium

SPEECH BY MR MASAGOS ZULKIFLI BMM, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE SOCIAL INNOVATORS’ OPEN FORUM ON SATURDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2007 AT 9.00 AM AT THE DBS AUDITORIUM

1. A very good morning to you. It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning and to see so many young faces among the audience.

2. The focus of this year’s Forum is “Business of Change & Sustainability”. I was informed that the speakers today will attempt to address some tough questions on how to bridge the business and social divide in a mutually beneficial manner, and whether there is a place for a social entrepreneur in a corporation. Judging by the topics, I believe everyone here will have an enriching and fruitful session.

Social Innovation Park’s (SIP) Programmes
3. The Social Innovators’ Forum is an annual event by the Social Innovation Park (SIP) that provides a platform for leaders from the public and private sectors to share their wealth of experiences, and bring the social enterprise movement in Singapore to the next level. Though I didn’t have the chance to attend yesterday’s Forum, I understand that it was a fruitful and thought-provoking session. I was also told that the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2007 was also given out last night. The introduction of this Award, since last year, to honour the work and contribution of special innovators who have made a great impact and scaled new heights in social entrepreneurship, is indeed commendable.

4. Besides this Forum, Social Innovation Park (SIP) also has other initiatives that are aimed at helping aspiring and budding social entrepreneurs to bring positive transformation to society. One example is the Pop and Talent Hub initiative (PaTH in short) at VivoCity. The PaTH market is the first social entrepreneurship talent development platform in Singapore. It provides a platform for some 50 social entrepreneurs from marginalised sectors to showcase their artistic talent as well as to be self-sustainable. One heartwarming success story is Daren Lauchengco who has bi-polar disorder. Before joining the PaTH market, Daren was unable to work full time, nor was he able to provide for his family because of his medical condition. Today, he has a sustainable business at PaTH market, teaches art part-time and is a volunteer with Silver Ribbon.

5. SIP has also collaborated with UniSIM, Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic to set up student chapters in the respective campuses to create awareness of the concept of social enterprise and to groom social entrepreneurs. Our youths can benefit greatly by supporting and participating in their activities.

Social Enterprise Sector in Singapore
6. Although social entrepreneurship is not new, it has gained international attention and also here in Singapore in recent years. It is now recognised as a sustainable way to help disadvantaged groups integrate into society. The government had also recognized the importance of social entrepreneurship and thus set up the Social Enterprise Committee in August 2006 to look into developing a more vibrant social enterprise scene. The Committee has recently made key recommendations towards giving our social enterprise sector a boost and these recommendations will be evaluated further by the Government.

Conclusion
7. In closing, I wish our friends and guests from overseas, an enjoyable stay here in Singapore, and for everyone, a fruitful session this morning. I would also like to commend SIP on its good work, and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.