Singapore’s first Family Pledge unveiled

SINGAPORE - The National Family Council unveiled Singapore’s first Family Pledge today (July 30) during an appreciation lunch for organisers, partners and sponsors of this year’s National Family Celebrations hosted by Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing.

The pledge is written by the National Family Council with input from stakeholders, including the youth sub-committee of the organising committee of this year’s National Family Celebrations.

It aims to encourage good family practices, such as affirming commitment between husband and wife, and taking responsibility to nurture children and respect elders.

Mr Lim Soon Hock, chairman of National Family Council, said: “Research has shown that when people make a commitment through a pledge, it is more likely that they (will) carry it out.”

Through the pledge, the council hopes to promote the “family first” mindset as an integral part of Singaporeans’ lives.

This, the council said, is an important component in the country’s national social fabric.

Acting Minister for Social and Family Development, Chan Chun Sing, said: “It is a very good ground-up initiative, so we hope that more people will get to know this pledge, read it, reflect upon it and act upon the pledge.”

Voluntary Welfare Organisations have indicated support by posting the pledge on their social media platforms, and incorporating it into their family-related programmes.

The Family Pledge follows the success of the Singapore Family Pledge movement in 2010, which attracted some 250,000 pledges. CHANNEL NEWSASIA