Singapore Conversation tries to engage Singaporeans to talk about their future. Today, we face issues and challenges like Global competition, Foreign Talent and lack of babies. What will our kids face 20 years from now?
The theme is “Our Population, Our Future“:
– How do we feel about Singapore, now and in the future.
– What do we wish to improve ?
– How can we make a difference?
In 20 years, our kids would be working or studying, and steering their own future.
And 2032 is not so far away.
A few weeks ago, Daddy got a peep of previous and current survey results.
1) What weighs heavily on Singaporeans’ minds? (Look at the clouds below)
– job security
– cost of living (will more HDB flats break the resale and valuation records?)
– transport (will the transport infrastructure meet our current demands)
2) Making more babies and building Happy families, issues and challenges :
– Cost of raising children
– work life balance (we suspect work culture in SG is timeline motivated, not family)
– meeting the right match, securing a house, stable career, new parents sacrificing financial and lifestyle freedom
3) What about our future? Will Singaporeans remain competitive internationally?
– we want jobs with better career advancements and opportunities (satisfaction)
– more well paying jobs
– is it a given for talents to come to Singapore, when Shanghai, Mumbai are booming ?
When we talk about jobs and economy, the topic on FT (Foreign Talent) always hog the limelight. Everyone knows why we need foreign talents, we are only upset at how easy it is for them to be granted PR (Permanent Resident) status, enjoy the benefits, then hop off to greener pastures.
With Foreign talent, citizens face competition for jobs, houses, primary school allocations, and our low-wage earners’ salary are suppressed. Someone mention Singaporean girls are being wooed by more eligible foreigners π
A few participants voiced out why PR status seem to be non-expiry?
Will Singaporeans feel like a stranger in Singapore?
As a parent, Daddy has one major grip. There are too many DO-NOT signages in Singapore.
– Do not litter
– Do not eat in train
– Do not jaywalk
We are not robots, why does everyone look to the government for guidance and solution? Do Singaporeans really need someone to remind us to behave? Are we not littering because we fear the fines? What do Singaporeans really want for ourselves?
Tourists must be amused at the number of signages in Singapore.
Decades of campaigns have yet to yield a mindset change. Cigarette butts still litter the floor, even when rubbish bins are everywhere. Our streets are clean because of an army of efficient cleaners. We break the rules when “no one” is around.
Look at how Japan and Taiwanese keep their streets clean. They have a culture of their civic mindfulness. When we were in Taiwan, people gave way to strollers, no shoving at MRTs. People greet you with a smile if you stop to ask for directions.
Maybe, we can remove the signage, and let us see whether the streets will become dirtier? Will Singapore become more gracious?
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In summary, Daddy enjoys his feedback session. Ideas are formed when we think out of the box :
– someone suggested removing Istana, so higher plot ration in Orchard area can be accomodated
– legalising same-sex marriage
– encouraging and paying stay-at-home mums for their “silent” contributions.
If you have not been to a chit-chat session before, make time. The ideas and discussions always bring new perspectives to our journey.