Hey guys,
For those who missed out on the National Day Message read out by Mr Tay.
Enjoy ;)
2008 NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE TO ALL SCHOOLS, JUNIOR COLLEGES AND CENTRALISED INSTITUTE
CELEBRATING THE SINGAPORE SPIRIT
Singapore today is a vibrant, bustling, world-class city. It is an attractive place for businesses and talent to come to from around the world. Despite being a small country with few natural resources, we have established a presence in the international arena. We hosted the inaugural Singapore International Water Week in June. The first Formula One night race will be held in Singapore next month and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Our two Integrated Resorts will begin operations in 2009 and 2010. We continue to have a strong inflow of foreign investments. Norway’s Renewable Energy Corporation’s S$6.3 billion integrated solar manufacturing plant and the world’s largest ethylene cracker plant by Shell are recent examples. These and many other developments over the next few years will make Singapore an even more exciting place to live and work in!
But as a small, open economy and society, Singapore cannot insulate itself from developments in other parts of the world. Even as we celebrate National Day this year on the back of continued strong economic growth, we must be prepared for changes and shocks in the global environment, which may have great impact on Singapore. Nonetheless, just as we have overcome past challenges such as SARS and the Asian financial crises, we must face the future with confidence - determined to remain united, not just to survive, but to overcome challenges, thrive and prosper. As always, it will be the quality and spirit of our people which gives us confidence in our future. This year’s NDP theme of “Celebrating the Singapore Spirit” is therefore very apt.
What then is the Singapore Spirit? How do we explain it to the millions of tourists and foreigners who visit us each year and go away impressed with this peaceful and stable society that works? We tell them that in Singapore, we recognise different cultures, but we never let that divide us. While we are a small country, we are a strong society because we stand united, as one people, ready to defend our country and to work together for the common good. We value and maintain our ‘common space’ - institutions such as our schools, National Service and even our hawker centres, where people of different races and religions interact, share common experiences and strengthen our bonds as one people.
We believe in hard work, and treasure the fact that all of us, regardless of background, have the chance to improve our lives based on our own efforts. At the same time, we are a just and compassionate society, where the more successful reach out to help the less fortunate and where we seek to create opportunities and hope for all Singaporeans.
Singapore’s founding fathers began this nation based on ideals of a just and meritocratic society that seeks to give to all who live here, regardless of creed or colour, equal opportunities to make their life tomorrow better. We can take pride in what we have achieved as a nation and where we stand today. But our continuing survival and prosperity rely not just on good leadership but also on the choices and contributions of all Singaporeans.
So as we celebrate our National Day, we do more than celebrate our independence. We also celebrate the Singapore Spirit. We celebrate our pride in our country’s sovereignty, our history and our achievements. We celebrate the qualities of our society that unite us as Singaporeans and the difference that each one of us can make to this island we call home.
I wish you all a happy and meaningful National Day.
DR NG ENG HEN
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
8 AUGUST 2008
For those who missed out on the National Day Message read out by Mr Tay.
Enjoy ;)
2008 NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE TO ALL SCHOOLS, JUNIOR COLLEGES AND CENTRALISED INSTITUTE
CELEBRATING THE SINGAPORE SPIRIT
Singapore today is a vibrant, bustling, world-class city. It is an attractive place for businesses and talent to come to from around the world. Despite being a small country with few natural resources, we have established a presence in the international arena. We hosted the inaugural Singapore International Water Week in June. The first Formula One night race will be held in Singapore next month and the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Our two Integrated Resorts will begin operations in 2009 and 2010. We continue to have a strong inflow of foreign investments. Norway’s Renewable Energy Corporation’s S$6.3 billion integrated solar manufacturing plant and the world’s largest ethylene cracker plant by Shell are recent examples. These and many other developments over the next few years will make Singapore an even more exciting place to live and work in!
But as a small, open economy and society, Singapore cannot insulate itself from developments in other parts of the world. Even as we celebrate National Day this year on the back of continued strong economic growth, we must be prepared for changes and shocks in the global environment, which may have great impact on Singapore. Nonetheless, just as we have overcome past challenges such as SARS and the Asian financial crises, we must face the future with confidence - determined to remain united, not just to survive, but to overcome challenges, thrive and prosper. As always, it will be the quality and spirit of our people which gives us confidence in our future. This year’s NDP theme of “Celebrating the Singapore Spirit” is therefore very apt.
What then is the Singapore Spirit? How do we explain it to the millions of tourists and foreigners who visit us each year and go away impressed with this peaceful and stable society that works? We tell them that in Singapore, we recognise different cultures, but we never let that divide us. While we are a small country, we are a strong society because we stand united, as one people, ready to defend our country and to work together for the common good. We value and maintain our ‘common space’ - institutions such as our schools, National Service and even our hawker centres, where people of different races and religions interact, share common experiences and strengthen our bonds as one people.
We believe in hard work, and treasure the fact that all of us, regardless of background, have the chance to improve our lives based on our own efforts. At the same time, we are a just and compassionate society, where the more successful reach out to help the less fortunate and where we seek to create opportunities and hope for all Singaporeans.
Singapore’s founding fathers began this nation based on ideals of a just and meritocratic society that seeks to give to all who live here, regardless of creed or colour, equal opportunities to make their life tomorrow better. We can take pride in what we have achieved as a nation and where we stand today. But our continuing survival and prosperity rely not just on good leadership but also on the choices and contributions of all Singaporeans.
So as we celebrate our National Day, we do more than celebrate our independence. We also celebrate the Singapore Spirit. We celebrate our pride in our country’s sovereignty, our history and our achievements. We celebrate the qualities of our society that unite us as Singaporeans and the difference that each one of us can make to this island we call home.
I wish you all a happy and meaningful National Day.
DR NG ENG HEN
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
8 AUGUST 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment