What happens when you bring together 80 people consisting of more students, social workers and adults and Youth Corps Aspirants? A symphony of bold and electrifying ideas about a shared common space for a unified common good.
Last Thursday (21 January 2016), I attended an SG Future Engagement Session called “Common Space for Common Good (CS4CG)” at The Marketplace, which was inside the Future of Us exhibition at Gardens by the Bay.
Many Singaporeans – mostly youths – from various walks of life, came together to generate ideas for the common good and to discuss on how to work together to build Singapore’s next chapter.
Photo with Mr Baey who graced the event
As you may be wondering, a common space can be anywhere so long that it serves the community needs and is inclusive and comfortable. It can range from public spaces like void decks to school compounds and even parks! Likewise, “common good” regards ALL individuals as part of a larger community.
The discussions centered on the four main pillars of Youth Corps Singapore:
- Appreciating the pioneers
- Befriending the special needs
- Caring for the Environment
- Delighting the families
I co-facilitated the discussion on special needs as it is something that I have the heart and passion for. I heard genuine ideas, heartfelt stories and was engaged throughout!
Hearing, sharing, facilitating
Three key points that I took away from this session were the need to Integrate, Include and Initiate.
INTEGRATE:
One of the participants rightly pointed out that integration would not work if we divide our space and ideate for separate needs. Since it is a common space for common good, we should consider a four-pronged approach and integrate everyone instead.
She said: “Let us use what we already have and do everything together. For example, secondary schools that are near special needs schools like Pathlight are already sharing facilities and doing activities together. Going further, we could do a community garden for the students to learn and grow with each other, or care for the environment under the guidance of pioneers with green fingers.”
Mr Baey engaging participants
INCLUDE:
Samuel Tan from the National Youth Council suggested that we could do everything under one roof and include the special needs beneficiaries into our community.
He said: “We could install tables and chairs at void decks for the elderly to play chess, and children can have fun by the side while under the watchful eyes of their grandparents just like in the good old days. Even better, the elderly and children could be a source of encouragement when the beneficiaries adjust to the society.”
INITIATE:
Rather than imagining big and bold plans, we can start small as many of us would lack the required expertise. The least we can do is to smile, step out of our comfort zone, initiate conversation with people and make sincere efforts to understand and empathise with them. We should help them when and where help is needed.
As I pen these thoughts and the sense of nostalgia cascades onto me, my heart has this warm and fuzzy feeling as I remember witnessing work in action and history being made. The engagement on CS4CG was truly a wonderful opportunity for Singaporeans to gather to brainstorm and roll up their sleeves to deal with the nation’s most pressing social problems.
Gallery walk – where participants get to hear from different groups
From the electrifying ideas curated to the gusto and the “fire in the belly” enthusiasm displayed by many, I sensed that this is just the start of even greater things to come!! If you are as passionate about Singapore as I am, join me at The Red Box on 12th March 2016 and help define our future. We will be serving the community with you, for you, for Singapore!
- Lee Ci En is a Youth Corps advocate who writes and take photos in his free time.
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Here’s an opportunity for you to do good! Join Youth Corps Singapore on 12 Mar as we launch the Common Space for Common Good, an island-wide volunteering event to move the nation. Registerhere!
