Singapore's Shared Values
The Origin
The idea of a set of Shared Values for Singaporeans was conceived by then First Deputy Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong in October 1988. Initially termed as a 'National Ideology', he envisioned a set of guiding principles for Singaporeans to live by.
The need for a set of Shared Values arose due to the growing influence of Western culture on Singaporeans in the 1980s. This led to concerns that the younger generation would not share the values and outlook of their parents and community. There was thus a need to forge a set of core values that incorporate the various aspects of Singapore’s cultural heritage as well as the attitude and practices that have helped Singapore survive and prosper as a nation.
"If we are not to lose our heritage, we should preserve the cultural heritage of each of our communities, and uphold certain common values which capture the essence of being a Singaporean. These core values include placing society above self, upholding the family as the basic building block of society, resolving major issues through consensus instead of contention, and stressing racial and religious tolerance and harmony. We need to enshrine these fundamental ideas in a National Ideology. Such a formal statement will bond us together as Singaporeans, with our own distinct identity and destiny."
The late President Mr Wee Kim Wee in his Opening Address to Parliament, 9 January 1989.
| Our Shared Values | |
|---|---|
| Nation before community and society above self Family as the basic unit of society Community support and respect for the individual Consensus, not conflict Racial and religious harmony |
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| 我们的共同价值观 | |
|---|---|
| 国家至上 社会为先 家庭为根 社会为本 关怀扶持 尊重个人 求同存异 协商共识 种族和谐 宗教宽容 |
|
| Susila Rakyat Kita | |
|---|---|
| Negara mendahului kaum, masyarakat mendahului diri Keluarga tunjang masyarakat Penghormatan dan sokongan masyarakat kepada individu Permuafakatan bukan pertikaian Keharmonian kaum dan agama |
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The five Shared Values were chosen as they are compatible with the values of Singapore’s different cultures and major religions. Singaporeans of all races and religions could therefore subscribe to these common values and adopt them as a safeguard against undesirable external values which could threaten our social fabric.
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