S’poreans urged to share and listen with open minds & hearts

SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat is heartened by the many conversations that are going on about the national conversation and follows them with great interest.

Mr Heng has been tasked by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to lead a team of younger ministers to engage Singaporeans in a national conversation about the country’s future direction.

In a post on Monday night on the Facebook page "OurSGConversation", Mr Heng said he has heard diverse perspectives and ideas, and received many offers to contribute to this process.

He said these are heartwarming signs that Singaporeans have a desire to make Singapore and the lives of our families and our children better.

Mr Heng added that the country’s next phase of development will be new and exciting but cautioned that we would face fresh challenges in the form of technological change and globalisation.

But he said Singapore has the means to shape and create our future. The national conversation is the first step, added Mr Heng.

He stressed that this is a valuable opportunity for Singaporeans to come together and ask what matters most, where we want to go as a country, as a people, and how we can do this together.

Mr Heng said the national conversation will be as inclusive as possible. Singaporeans from all walks of life will be engaged through multiple channels, including dialogue sessions and the "OurSGConversation" Facebook page.

The minister urged Singaporeans to share and listen to each other’s concerns, hopes and aspirations with open minds and open hearts.

— CNA/xq