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Their vision for Singapore in 2030 at odds with increasingly competitive global environment
by Amir Hussain
04:46 AM Dec 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - A more gracious and inclusive society with a slower pace of life, where Singaporeans are happier than they are today and not caught up in the rat race.
This is the Singapore that 185 students from four polytechnics here hope to see in 2030.
In particular, the students hoped for a "stress-free" society, less competition at the workplace and a four-day work week - wishes that are at odds with the increasingly competitive global environment that Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong tried to paint to them.
The youths from Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) were participating in a two-hour dialogue yesterday with Mr Wong as part of the Our Singapore Conversation project.
The participants' views prompted Mr Wong to explain at length the increasingly competitive global environment that Singapore will find itself in.
Nevertheless, speaking to TODAY afterwards, Mr Wong said he was not worried and he could understand why the youths felt that way.
"They grew up in a certainly more stressful environment, a more competitive environment, and so I think it's natural that there is that desire for them to want a better work-life balance, to have a better quality of life," Mr Wong said.
Mr Wong added: "I think that what's important is, as I have tried to do, to help them understand that we have to make a living within a more competitive environment at the same time.
"And so as we try to find our way in that competitive environment, I think then they will have to find their own balance."
The dialogue was jointly organised by the People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM) and the SP's Youth Model ASEAN Conference committee.
The participants were split into 10 groups to discuss five key themes: Education, family, jobs, society and people. They then presented their ideas to Mr Wong.
SP student Daniel Chew, 19, suggested a four-day work week with a break on Wednesday, "so it gives you time to relax".
He noted that most people usually feel burnt out by the fourth day of the week and have to drag themselves to work on Fridays.
Another participant added: "We want Singaporeans to be more approachable and friendly, and have a more optimistic and carefree lifestyle, to be stress-free."
Mr Wong said the idea of a four-day work week was enticing but he noted that businesses will be affected.
On their ideal Singapore in 2030, the participants should take into account the Republic's broader environment then, Mr Wong said.
By 2030, China would have overtaken the United States as the world's largest economy.
The economies of Asia would also be larger than the combined economies of the US and Europe by then, he said.
Other trends include the Republic's ageing population, the rise of Asia's middle class and the growing demand for resources such as food and energy, which will put pressures on commodity prices.
"It's not to be taken for granted that Singapore will be where we are today, because other cities are growing much faster than us, and the drive to get ahead is very strong," said Mr Wong.
"And we must keep in mind that we are a small city within this bigger world. And as we think about what we would like to have in the future we have to consider these factors as well," he added.
"It's a question of choice and consequence ... all of us can choose but we must be mindful that there are consequences behind (a particular) choice," Mr Wong said.
Apart from talking about the Singapore they would like to see in 2030, the participants voiced strong opinions on perennial issues affecting their daily lives now - the lack of concessionary travel on public transport and the availability of university places for Singaporeans.
In response, Mr Wong said the issue of concessionary fare for public transport for polytechnic students is being reviewed by the Ministry of Transport.
On university places, he reiterated that the percentage of each cohort entering university will be increased from the current 30 per cent to 40 per cent, while the percentage of international students has gone down from 18 per cent to 15 per cent.
by Amir Hussain
04:46 AM Dec 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - A more gracious and inclusive society with a slower pace of life, where Singaporeans are happier than they are today and not caught up in the rat race.
This is the Singapore that 185 students from four polytechnics here hope to see in 2030.
In particular, the students hoped for a "stress-free" society, less competition at the workplace and a four-day work week - wishes that are at odds with the increasingly competitive global environment that Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong tried to paint to them.
The youths from Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) were participating in a two-hour dialogue yesterday with Mr Wong as part of the Our Singapore Conversation project.
The participants' views prompted Mr Wong to explain at length the increasingly competitive global environment that Singapore will find itself in.
Nevertheless, speaking to TODAY afterwards, Mr Wong said he was not worried and he could understand why the youths felt that way.
"They grew up in a certainly more stressful environment, a more competitive environment, and so I think it's natural that there is that desire for them to want a better work-life balance, to have a better quality of life," Mr Wong said.
Mr Wong added: "I think that what's important is, as I have tried to do, to help them understand that we have to make a living within a more competitive environment at the same time.
"And so as we try to find our way in that competitive environment, I think then they will have to find their own balance."
The dialogue was jointly organised by the People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM) and the SP's Youth Model ASEAN Conference committee.
The participants were split into 10 groups to discuss five key themes: Education, family, jobs, society and people. They then presented their ideas to Mr Wong.
SP student Daniel Chew, 19, suggested a four-day work week with a break on Wednesday, "so it gives you time to relax".
He noted that most people usually feel burnt out by the fourth day of the week and have to drag themselves to work on Fridays.
Another participant added: "We want Singaporeans to be more approachable and friendly, and have a more optimistic and carefree lifestyle, to be stress-free."
Mr Wong said the idea of a four-day work week was enticing but he noted that businesses will be affected.
On their ideal Singapore in 2030, the participants should take into account the Republic's broader environment then, Mr Wong said.
By 2030, China would have overtaken the United States as the world's largest economy.
The economies of Asia would also be larger than the combined economies of the US and Europe by then, he said.
Other trends include the Republic's ageing population, the rise of Asia's middle class and the growing demand for resources such as food and energy, which will put pressures on commodity prices.
"It's not to be taken for granted that Singapore will be where we are today, because other cities are growing much faster than us, and the drive to get ahead is very strong," said Mr Wong.
"And we must keep in mind that we are a small city within this bigger world. And as we think about what we would like to have in the future we have to consider these factors as well," he added.
"It's a question of choice and consequence ... all of us can choose but we must be mindful that there are consequences behind (a particular) choice," Mr Wong said.
Apart from talking about the Singapore they would like to see in 2030, the participants voiced strong opinions on perennial issues affecting their daily lives now - the lack of concessionary travel on public transport and the availability of university places for Singaporeans.
In response, Mr Wong said the issue of concessionary fare for public transport for polytechnic students is being reviewed by the Ministry of Transport.
On university places, he reiterated that the percentage of each cohort entering university will be increased from the current 30 per cent to 40 per cent, while the percentage of international students has gone down from 18 per cent to 15 per cent.
