Articles
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launches Forward Singapore exercise
17 April 2023
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the Forward Singapore exercise on 28 June 2022
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong launched the Forward Singapore exercise on 28 June 2022 – a nationwide engagement to gather views from Singaporeans on the roadmap for our nation’s next stage of development.
The year-long series of engagements will culminate in a report to be published in mid-2023, which will set out policy recommendations and how different segments of our society can better contribute to the nation’s shared goals.
What the Forward Singapore exercise hopes to achieve
DPM Wong acknowledged that Singapore is “at a crossroads” and stressed the importance of refreshing and updating our social compact – a shared understanding of how we relate to each other – to remain relevant for changing times. He added that:
A social compact that is deemed fair by all segments of society strengthens social capital and fosters trust, and this is what enables us to progress together as a nation— DPM Lawrence Wong at the launch of the Forward Singapore exercise, 28 June 2022
The Forward Singapore exercise will consist of six thematic pillars headed by his fourth-generation (4G) leadership team:
Empower: Economy and Jobs
Equip: Education and Lifelong Learning
Care: Health and Social Support
Build: Home and Living Environment
Steward: Environmental and Fiscal Sustainability
Unite: Singapore Identity
Speaking at NTUC’s Labour Movement Conversation to launch the Forward Singapore exercise, DPM Wong reiterated his team’s commitment to listen and partner Singaporeans: “As my 4G team and I prepare to take on the mantle and to lead Singapore forward – let us re-affirm our fundamental values, re-examine our principles, re-view our priorities and policies – and chart our new way forward together.”
The 4G team will engage Singaporeans to understand their concerns, hear their suggestions and weigh trade-offs before reviewing and updating policies. They will also establish new partnerships with stakeholders to implement these changes.
DPM Wong said that this endeavour to take Singapore forward will not be easy and called for Singaporeans to approach this challenge with open minds and big hearts:
I want to see a Singapore where opportunities are open to all, no matter who they are or what their background is; where every man and woman is valued, every child treasured, and every senior respected.— DPM Lawrence Wong at the launch of the Forward Singapore exercise, 28 June 2022
Several participants asking questions during the dialogue session with DPM Lawrence Wong
In a dialogue session at the event, DPM Wong, together with NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, fielded questions from unionists and various association representatives on topics such as protecting jobs and workers, Government’s support for lower-income households, as well as how the Forward Singapore exercise aims to reach out to Singaporeans.
DPM Lawrence Wong speaking to some unionists and association representatives on the sidelines.
Concluding the dialogue, DPM Wong reaffirmed his commitment to lead the 4G team in helping Singaporeans to succeed in the next phase of development and encouraged all Singaporeans to participate actively in the exercise.
For DPM Wong’s full speech, go here.
For more details about the Forward Singapore exercise, please refer to the press release.
To share with us your ideas and feedback for Forward Singapore, go here.