Community-Led Conversations
Community partners came forward to facilitate ESCs with specific groups, using various engagement techniques.
IPS Young Singaporeans Conference 2020
The Institute of Policy Studies convened an Emerging Stronger Conversation as part of its 2020 Young Singaporeans Conference. 120 Singaporeans between 18 and 30 years old were invited to envision what it would mean to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress, as individuals and as a nation, in the next decade. It was a rich exchange of perspectives and ideas as the participants had diverse backgrounds and were at different stages of their lives.
“Participants shared the ways they had adapted to the new remote working and learning systems. Many mentioned that they had picked up new skills and hobbies, and even found new business and career opportunities. Others shared about the relentless pace of work and the need to make the choice to switch off, or inform their work supervisors of that need. They spoke of the mental health strains and social isolation they and their peers faced.
The ESC generated meaningful and targeted sharing in a 90-minute burst of conversation on this ‘crisis of a generation’.”
~ Dr. Gillian Koh, Deputy Director (Research), Institute of Policy Studies
Conversations through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
Kris Tay, a Lego Serious Play (LSP) trainer and consultant, initiated a ground-up series of conversations with Singaporeans using the LSP approach. The conversations ran from Nov 2020 to Jan 2021, and explored how we might recover from the disruptions to our lives and prepare for the new normal. “I felt strongly that the Emerging Stronger Conversations was an extremely meaningful effort. We noted the aspiration for the ESCs to be an inclusive process, which would enable different segments of Singapore, including low-income families, seniors, and those who speak in vernacular languages, to be well-represented.
As a response to this, we initiated ‘Emerging Stronger Conversations using the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) Method’. This ground-up citizen participation initiative stems out of our belief that every voice should be heard, and we care deeply to enable this.
More than 50 certified facilitators from the LSP Singapore Community volunteered. We are excited to be part of this initiative, having sessions across the island, engaging 4 participants at a time in deeper conversations, talking about the love we have for our Singapore community, the stories we tell about who we are, what has happened to us during COVID, and what we need to do. We are coming together to share and co-create a resilient, stronger, post-COVID Singapore.
The sessions conducted so far have been really fulfilling. We got to understand concerns and aspirations of different segments of society, and the confidence we have in Singapore. Participants also shared ideas on how they would work with the government, private sector and one another, to create a more resilient post-COVID-19 Singapore.”
~ Kris Tay, Representative Director, Rasmussen Consulting
Co-designing a national blueprint for corporates wanting to do good better
The National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) convened an E Emerging Stronger Conversation as the first of a series of action-oriented dialogues with companies to co-design and co-develop a National Blueprint to guide corporates wanting to do good better.
“As more businesses realise the criticality of ensuring a positive impact on society in these precarious times, we must find better ways to identify the greatest needs, leverage resources efficiently and reduce wasteful duplication. The national blueprint is a collective effort with the business community to express a shared aspiration for Singapore and translate this into concrete action. The Blueprint envisions a Singapore where purpose is the engine of sustainable, long-term profitability. Minister of State Alvin Tan and I co-hosted 32 corporate responsibility and sustainability leaders to share their aspirations for Singapore and surface opportunities and challenges to effective collaboration. The next step is to build this alliance with corporate leaders who will redefine how Singapore prospers by creating shared value for all.”
~ Melissa Kwee, Chief Executive Officer, NVPC