Speeches
Speech by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, at the official opening of the World Huang Clan Convention on Sunday 7 Dec 08, at 8.20pm, at Singapore Expo Hall 3
Mr Ng Ah Seng, Chairman of the World Huang Clan Convention 2008 Organising Committee and President of the Nanyang Huang Shi Chung Huay
Chief Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
A very good evening to all of you.
Let me first offer the World Huang Clan Association my heartiest congratulations on the tenth anniversary of the World Huang Clan Convention. A convention like this brings together Huang clansmen who are now spread all over the world. It is a good opportunity for you to renew ties with one another. More importantly, such a gathering reminds us of our history, heritage and culture.
I understand that this is the first time in 28 years since the inception of the World Huang Clan Convention in 1980 that it is held over two days. Despite the uncertain economic conditions the world is facing, I am heartened to know that over two thousand Huang clansmen from over ten countries and territories have gathered here in Singapore for the World Convention. To our overseas guests, let me extend a warm welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit to Singapore.
Clan associations have traditionally played a significant role in our society. In Singapore, many of our early Chinese stream schools were set up by clans and dialect groups. While many clans started with the objective of helping their fellow clansmen, their strong sense of solidarity and fraternity extended beyond this closed group to others who do not share their surname. The schools and hospitals that they helped to establish benefited the wider community and reached out across ethnic boundaries. While the role of clans has evolved over the years, they continue to uphold this same spirit of mutual support and cooperation, reaching out to those in need through community projects and outreach activities.
Tackling Challenges
Against the backdrop of profound changes the world is experiencing, clan associations acknowledge that they have to modernise to remain relevant. Chinese clans, including Huang clans, are experiencing dwindling membership, especially among the younger generation, and are facing the challenge of preserving their rich heritage in a globalised, cosmopolitan world. Many clans have realised that they need to change their ways of operation and styles of management. For instance, Nanyang Huangshi Chung Huay has plans to modernise its administration, preserve its heritage building and expand its range of services and programmes to reach out to the younger generation.
Not surprisingly then, the topics dominating your discussion over the two days will be clan leadership renewal and recruitment of younger members. I hope your discussion will be fruitful as you exchange experiences and ideas on how to tackle these issues.
Many clan associations have reached out beyond their clans to collaborate with other clan associations, and, to share resources. Such cross-clan collaborations have undoubtedly benefited their members, and the larger community. Another way that clan associations maintain their vigour and dynamism is to strengthen their links with clansmen from all over the world. Such international platforms as the World Huang Clan Convention help members to keep in touch with one another, and are a potent networking tool. I have no doubt that at the end of the convention, many business deals would have been initiated, and many social ties forged.
Engaging the Young
Even as clans keep up with changing times, they play an instrumental role in preserving traditional values in society. In Singapore, we want our schools to teach not only knowledge and skills, but to anchor these with values and character development. Our education system aims to impart universal values such as resilience, integrity, compassion and the responsibility to give back to the larger community. Clans have rich cultural resources, and can play an important role in keeping us rooted in our history, culture and values. They can help our children understand our society’s traditional values, stay connected to their roots and appreciate their rich cultural heritage. I urge you to engage the young, not just for membership recruitment, but also to help our young develop their sense of identity and history.
The World Huang Clan Convention witnessed the election of the new leadership of the tenth term of the World Huang Clan Council. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the newly elected Council. With over 20 million clansmen spread all over the world, Huang clans can potentially make tremendous contributions in the many countries they now call home.
On this note, I wish all delegates of the World Huang Clan Convention 2008 every success!
Thank you.