Thousands to take part in S'pore's national conversation

Thousands of Singaporeans will take part in the national conversation on Singapore's future over the next year.

This will be through at least 30 citizen dialogues and a national survey involving 3,000 to 4,000 people.

Apart from this, online platforms for discussions including a new website, www.oursgconversation.sg, were launched today.

The 26 members of the Our Singapore Committee, who come from all walks of life to reflect the diversity of society, were unveiled by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat today.

This includes a taxi driver, an entertainment artiste, a social entrepreneur and government representatives.

A third year student at Singapore Polytechnic Ms Teng Zi Ying, 19, is the youngest member of the group while an artiste and host of variety shows, Ms Lim Ru Ping, 61, is the oldest.

Mr Heng, who heads the committee, said: "I think they will be able to help catalyse this discussion and conversation about our Singapore."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first announced the idea of a national conversation in his National Day message, where he shared the the vision of Singapore along the themes of Hope, Heart and Home.

The committee's work will be conducted in two phases.

In the first phase, broad issues will be discussed, with questions like "What kind of Singapore do we hope to see?" and "What are the changes needed to get there?" to be answered.

In the second phase, teams will be formed to involve more Singaporeans to tackle issues more deeply.

ellenja@sph.com.sg