Better coordination of voluntary efforts needed among firms, NGOs: Tan Chuan-Jin

SINGAPORE — When he was going about a home refurbishment and food distribution programme for the needy in his Kampong Chai Chee constituency about two weeks ago, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin came across another group planning to do the same thing.

While he was visiting one of the homes, he also noticed an elderly resident who had four fans in his home and sacks of rice sitting in a corner as he had been receiving help from multiple groups of people.

Such encounters demonstrate the need for better coordination of voluntary efforts, said Mr Tan, who was speaking at a dialogue session involving 150 leaders of business, government and non-profit organisations on Friday (March 4).

In his speech at the event organised by Emergenetics International - Asia Pacific, Mr Tan reiterated that companies can step up on corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Responding to a question during the dialogue on challenges faced by companies in planning their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives because they are unaware of the needs out there, Mr Tan acknowledged that Singapore’s “many helping hands” approach is possibly evolving into a situation of “hands all over the shop”. Community groups, particularly those concentrated in the same geographic areas, need to come together to complement one another’s efforts so that “the same amount of efforts can reach out to more people”, he said.

Otherwise, it could result in a situation where some needy beneficiaries fall through the gaps as volunteers all zoom in on the same space, he added.

Mr Tan noted the example of the Social Service Offices set up in the community to string together the various help channels, while government agencies like the National Voluntary and Philanthropy Centre and National Council of Social Service are also attempting a system for better matching between needs and volunteers.

Responding to another question about emerging trends of concern in the society, Mr Tan cited changing family structures.

With a higher number of divorces and young people growing up in less-than-ideal family circumstances, a negative cycle could perpetuate in a young person’s life, said Mr Tan, citing the many young people he meets hanging out late at night in his estate.

With such social trends, the Government is investing more heavily in preschool education instead of leaving it to the private sector as the formative years are the most critical, he added.

“Their whole future is ahead for these young people ... you want to give them the best fighting chance,” said Mr Tan.