Speech by Sinapan Samydorai, Executive Director, Think Centre at the "Citizenship Education: You Have the Right!" forum held at the Young Womens' Christian Association (YWCA) building on Friday, 22 June 2001.
POLITICAL EDUCATION
In schools, political education is often limited to studies on moral and civic duties; virtues and responsibilities but democracy and pluralism are neglected. The freedoms and rights which are core values of a democracy such as participation in political process and rights to express one's political views freely are avoided as much as possible. Citizenship education focuses on knowledge, skills and attitudes a citizen requires for living in a democratic society. CE seeks to promote and cultivate democratic values. To be effective CE needs a practice-oriented approach so that each person has the capacity to put into practice democratic values, attitudes and behaviours in daily life - home, work and community.
Think Centre seeks to foster the practice of a set of values relevant to citizens to handle daily life realities in a democratic society at local, national and global level. At all level respect for human rights and freedom is the core - all others are based on this core, respect for rule of law, care for others, global solidarity, environmental protection, justice, service to the nation, the right to vote, respecting difference in opinion, participation of all citizens in politics, social, cultural and economic life ..ETC The core values being promoted include openness, equality, fairness, solidarity, respect for each person and community, sense of belonging ..etc
The ability to question and challenge authority and to engage in public dialogue is important to foster democratic citizenship. Citizens in a representative democracy elect representatives who govern in their name. It's the responsibility of citizens to monitor those officials and judge their conduct. Dialogues are essential to ensure that decisions of government are made publicly, through free and open discussion. Government [and citizen] must give reasons for their political decisions, not just state preferences or make threats - so that fellow citizens can understand and accept as free and equal citizens.
Think Centre is sharing core values through human rights and democratic citizenship education initiatives to equip young Singaporeans with the tools necessary to handle issues related to a urban globalized civil society. The young have to make 'mindset" changes - values, attitudes, approaches. What was claimed to be normal a generation ago is seen as abnormal today! The times have change but many Singaporean have not make the necessary values changes.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
Human Right values are essential to anchor the young and encourage respect for each person as equal in dignity. In affluent singapore, where lifestyle and fashion changes occurs daily, words like "human rights", "children rights" and "equality" were uncommon - until two years ago! TC promotes the culture of solidarity - which cares for all and desires a more freer and fairer society! Nourished by the spirit of human rights, TC supports global solidarity. Any suffering or violation of an individual person is our concern and we do care. Solidarity is our determination to serve the people, for the good of all and each person, as global citizens we are responsible for all.
The Human rights message is spreading encouraged by global solidarity and communication technology - internet allows us to network. Affluent consumer-oriented Singaporeans, living in a multicultural enviroment, are talking about universal declaration of human rights, civil rights, respect for human life! Who will have dare to dreamt of it a decade ago - it was then too dangerous - you maybe locked up under ISA then! That is not the case anymore - although some fear mongers still like to market their views if there is buyer!
"MINDSET" CHANGES REQUIRED
Think Centre transmits human right values through HR Education and citizenship initiatives especially to young Singaporeans as they grow to face a globalized society. The young have to make 'mindset" changes - values, attitudes, approaches. What was claimed to be normal a generation ago are seen as abnormal! The times have changed but many Singaporean have not make the necessary values changes. Their lives are locked-up by a strict paternalistic, hierarchical and authoritative environment - some will call it outdated "feudal-mindset" - but they do dress fashionable, eat western and their names christianized!
For example, paternalistic attitudes must now make way for equality between men and women, girls and boys, in families between wife and husband - the role they share at home, work..etc Will Schoos introduce "Citizenship Education" in their curriculum to teach the equality among male and female in school, home, work, society..etc. Please do not use tradition as excuse to hide - one's stubborn refusal and abnormal habits not suited for a modern globalized society? It will surely be rejected by the young or you will be destroying the young!
Similarly, Singapore invites foreign investments and the GIC invests overseas as responsible global citizens or corporate citizen they do have corporate responsibilities. They need to respect and implement international labour and enviroment standards. Most business would love to separate investment from labour and enviroment concerns but the global reality is changing business ethnic, transnational code of conducts, and other international standards already exist. Do Singapore citizen know it and how do we respond? How do we promote and monitor corporate responsibilities? Are the benchmarks on international standards and best practice set with reference to the best in world ? Do we respect the maids and migrant workers rights?
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP - IS IT POSSIBLE WITHOUT CITIZEN EDUCATION?
The PAP Secretary-General Mr. Goh Chok Tong's future vibrant cosmopolis society has 4 pillars but without a foundation will it succeed:
1. "Place for all," - upgrading, CPF top-ups, edusave …a share in Singapore
2. Help for the needy - widening income gap so tag on "help for the needy" to the maxim of "From each his best to each his worth," - medishield scheme for the elderly and the lifelong learning fund
3. Active citizens or active citizenry - getting Singaporeans to participate more actively in the political, social and economic life of Singapore
4. Liberalising the economy - education, worker training, and getting talent into Singapore
But the foundation is missing. Without the foundation the 4 pillars will NOT stand:
Liberalise Politics - respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, Citizenship Education in school, training in best practice of governance, set-up Human Rights Commission and get the best experts into Singapore on such thematic issues. We recognize economic growth is essential but NOT sufficient to ensure equity and social progress.
OBSTALCES TO OVERCOME
How can we stimulate interest in politics when CE is absent in schools and other institutions? In this materialistic and consumeristic society, there is strong desire to accumulate super-fast - the dollars and cents - that is the supreme value cultivate into them by family, school and society. It seems everything including relationships, political participation and social involvement are all based on this pragmatic dollars and cent attitude - nothing else matters but cash, credit-card, cars, condos, career..etc Their lives are ruled by this short-term gains and ruined by their trap. They may join a political party that offers the best opportunity to achieve their dream "dollars and cents" - that is the easy opportunistic attitude prevailing among the young citizens! Is it possible to define success beyond the academic paper and the economic "dollars and cents"?
Singapore's economic success has not been matched by similar progress in fundamental rights. Words like human rights, democracy and pluralism are only for the "idealist" who are willing to be bankrupts - the price asked for joining the game in the political arena - if they had a few cents to spare it will be 'donated" to libel and defamation cases moved against them! So for pragmatic Singaporeans, human rights has no market value-added benefiting them materially but it brings troubles and headaches. Politics is boxed into into the political party arena - where your life savings will be gone! When the wrong "political label" is stitch onto you - suddenly you find yourself jobless, no one wants to be near you, except the "same idealist". Even if you want to talk politics - better get the correct permits - otherwise you know what will happen. Do you know how many license are needed to organised a rally? Why sacrifice for such words like human rights, democracy and pluralism when you can enjoy the benefits of modern comfort zones? Surely, something is obviously not normal with this cultivated "mindset" but no one is willing to say the truth 'the emperor is naked."
Why and who is creating such public perceptions that those with courage and dare to raise questions to the establishment will end-up in Singapore's jail or be subjected to legal proceedings which ends-up in bankruptcies? Is the call to citizens to practice active citizenship genuine? It seems the PAP government wants to open-up as indicated by S21 but refuses to share even a little power with other political actors including civil society - then why talk about active citizenship - is it just for public relationship! Political participation maybe seem by the ruling party as relinquishing its control over the citizenry and civil society as a consequences they fear a lower percentage of vote in their favour. Its normal practice in a democracy for citizens to reject blind obedience to authority and to set-up more meaningful check and balances on the government. But its considered to be Not normal in Singapore to monitor, to set check and balances on the government. Why?
FAITH AND HOPE
But something is happening - Think Centre - we are still here! We say a "mindset" change is necessary to make the journey to be among the best nations in the world. We need the foundation of human rights, democracy and pluralism to bear the weight of globalisation and ride the waves! We are calling each of you, all of you, to stand, to be brave and dare to make a difference for Singapore! Speak the truth - tell the "emperor is naked" don't be afraid. Global solidarity, today, is such you can't win the game alone - we need to march together with others, within and outside our borders, to win a politically freer and economically fairer deal and better quality of life for all.
Singapore 21 emphasis respect for the individuals and calls for the participation of all citizens. I do respect the views expressed in the book as genuine views of our government and not mere propaganda. On that basis Think Centre has called for the abolition of the Internal Security Act which is incompatible with the aspirations expressed by the citizens. Besides it is an extremely repressive legislation which prevents any form of genuine participation. If the unnecessary controls on freedom of expression are removed Singapore's parliament will be a more colourful place as more "heart-ware" becomes a reality. There will be more debates, more public talks and appeals to reason. Citizens will soon realize they could elect people with tongues.
More respect and tolerance for different views needs to be practiced to encourage more meaningful participation of citizens. How do we foster respect and appreciation for diversity as part of our efforts to promote active citizenship? We need to explore practical action-oriented ways and means to promote those values - that will make big difference to the call for active citizenship. Is discrimination illegal in Singapore? Is it possible to reverse historical discrimination that has reduce civil society groups and opposition politicians to positions of disadvantage?
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION INITIATIVES
CE enables citizens to freely associate and actively participate in social, economic, political and cultural activities.
- empower citizens who are often voiceless, neglected, marginalised and forgotten
- public policy research, issue and practice-oriented links between general community and the less fortunate
- Participatory research, survey, collect data and organizes workshops, seminar, etc. to identify the key issues of public interest
