Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, joined over 120 representatives from various social service agencies and community partners at the SG Cares Community Network session on 22 May 2023.

Forward Singapore (Care Pillar): Empowering Vulnerable Families and Individuals to Secure a Better Future

Published on 13 Jun 2023

Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, joined over 120 representatives from various social service agencies and community partners at the SG Cares Community Network session on 22 May 2023. This was part of the Forward Singapore engagement under the Care pillar, which focuses on building a more inclusive and caring society. Minister Masagos was also joined by Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) for Social and Family Development and Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Eric Chua.

Building Partnerships to Uplift Lower-income Families

In his opening remarks, Minister Masagos said that collaboration among the people, public and private sectors can bring collective experience and abilities, better catering to the beneficiaries’ needs. By synergising efforts, lower-income families can receive the appropriate assistance, from employment and education to financial matters. But to achieve that, he said these individuals and families must do their part, and be willing for society to come alongside to support them.

As a society, we must recognise their efforts and work with them towards their goals. Together, we can help families secure employment, and better employment that not only provides for their daily needs but facilitates savings. We can support families in owning their own homes. We can help their children reap the benefits of education and achieve their fullest potential in life.

- Minister Masagos Zulkifli delivering his opening remarks at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023.

Minister Masagos Zulkifli delivering his opening remarks at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023. (Photo by MCI / Kevin)

He also encouraged participants to adopt a shift in their perspective, moving away from viewing vulnerable individuals as mere beneficiaries, but recognising them as partners whom they can collaborate with to build a better Singapore. Citing ComLink as an example, he said vulnerable families can take ownership over their action plans and work towards the goals they set to achieve self-reliance, supported by community partners and volunteers.

Upholding The Agency and Dignity Of Those In-Need

Besides building partnerships to uplift lower-income families, Minister Masagos spoke on the importance of recognising the agency and dignity of lower-income families when offering assistance to them.

“We all know the feeling of achieving something by our own efforts... Therefore, as a society, we must enable families, and do so in a manner that respects their personal agency. We must reinforce personal effort even as we work as a society to better support families.

- Minister Masagos Zulkifli delivering his opening remarks at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023.

Minister Masagos Zulkifli participating in a group activity at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023. (Photo by MCI / Kevin)

During the engagement, Minister Masagos participated in some small group discussions, listening to the participants’ suggestions and ideas on ways to better support lower-income families in Singapore.

Some participants expressed their desire for a Singapore that is more empathetic towards the less fortunate, while others spoke passionately on the importance of synergising efforts to better support those in need.

A participant sharing her views on ways to better support lower-income families in Singapore at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023. (Photo by MCI / Kevin)

As we refresh our social compact under Forward SG, let us consider how we can best combine our collective efforts, to reinforce personal effort and uplift families in need.

- Minister Masagos Zulkifli delivering his opening remarks at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023.

Minister Masagos Zulkifli and SPS Eric Chua with over 120 participants at the SG Cares Community Network Session on 22 May 2023. (Photo by MCI / Kevin)