2020 CONTENT GATHERING OF GENERAL TOPICS / ISSUES

TOPIC COMMUNITY OR GOVT. INITIATIVES / LATEST NEWS / NEWSWORTHY EVENTS (Mention your News source: Channel
(Topic of Youth can NewsAsia / Straits Times Digital)
be in any of these
categories)
EDUCATION ● In Singapore, one’s academic prowess plays a pivotal role in the trajectory of one’s career and future overall success
● Early ● This begets the fixation on grades which I believe is perpetuated both by the society and government
Childhood ● Education is inextricably tied to employability hence students often strive for excellence in their academic result in order to qualify
● Primary for a highly coveted job
● PSLE results slips no longer indicate the cohort’s highest and lowest aggregate scores and the PSLE grading system will be
School
changed. From 2021, the T-score system will be replaced by eight
education ● Achievement Levels (AL) delinking a student’s performance from his or her peers.
Secondary ● Gap years are taken to relieve academic burnout
School https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/local-health-bodies-and-tech-firms-using-ai-to-fight-covid-19.
education LIFELONG LEARNING
Tertiary ● Most people associate learning with formal education at school, college, university etc. We are all told, from an early age, that we
education should ‘get a good education’.
● Non- ● Generally speaking it is true that a formal education and the resulting qualifications are important. Education may maximise our
conventional potential to find better, more satisfying jobs, earn more and, perhaps, become more successful in our chosen career.
learning ● However, ‘schooling’ is only one type of learning. There are many other opportunities to further your knowledge and develop the
skills you need throughout life.
paths (eg.
● Knowledge can be acquired and skill-sets developed anywhere – learning is unavoidable and happens all the time. However,
Niche / gap lifelong learning is about creating and maintaining a positive attitude to learning both for personal and professional development.
year / ● Sometimes lifelong learning is used to describe a type of behavior that employers are seeking within the organization. Employers
alternative are recognizing that formal education credentials are not the only way to recognize and develop talent and that lifelong learning
subjects) may be the desired trait.
● Thanks to the fast pace of today’s knowledge economy, organizations are seeing lifelong learning as a core component in
● Overseas vs. employee development. The idea is that employees should engage in constant personal learning in order to be adaptable and
Local flexible for the organization to stay competitive and relevant.
● New ● According to some researchers, however, there is criticism that organizations are leveraging the concept of lifelong learning in
Initiatives order to place the responsibility of learning on employees instead of offering the resources, support and training needed to foster
this kind of workforce
● Holistic
education
(academic,
character, How to adopt lifelong learning in your life?
aesthetic)
 Non-
academic ● 1. Recognize your own personal interests and goals. Lifelong learning is about you, not other people and what they want. Reflect
on what you’re passionate about and what you envision for your own future. If progressing your career is your personal interest,
● Lifelong then there are ways to participate in self-directed learning to accomplish this goal. If learning history is your passion, there are
learning likewise ways to explore this interest further.
● Nature vs. ● 2. Make a list of what you would like to learn or be able to dO.Once you’ve identified what motivates you, explore what it is about
Nurture that particular interest or goal that you want to achieve.
● 3. Identify how you would like to get involved and the resources available. Achieving our personal goals begins with figuring out
● Various how to get started.Researching and reading about the interest and goal can help to formulate how to go about learning it.With our
school history example: the person who wants to simply learn more about a particular historical time period could discover books in the
experiences library catalog, blogs, magazines and podcasts dedicated to the subject, or even museums and talks.
● 4. Structure the learning goal into your life. Fitting a new learning goal into your busy life takes consideration and effort. If you don’t
make time and space for it, it won’t happen.It can easily lead to discouragement or quitting the learning initiative altogether.Plan
out how the requirements of the new learning initiative can fit into your life or what you need to do to make it fit. For example, if
learning a new language is the learning goal, can you make time for one hour a day? Or does 15 minutes a day sound more
realistic? Understanding the time and space you can devote to the learning goal can help you to stick with the goal in the long-run.
● 5. Make a commitment
● Committing to your decision to engage in a new learning initiative is the final and most important step. If you’ve set realistic
expectations and have the self-motivation to see it through, commit to it and avoid making excuses.
Do you need a degree to be successful in life
● Having a degree can improve the chances of employment. Although a degree does not guarantee success, it does improve
chances of getting noticed.
● Furthermore, a fundamental degree helps boost literacy rates and thereby helps with economic growth.
● A notable example would be countries within the continent of Africa who have some of the highest unemployment rates. The
unemployment rate in Mauritania in Western Africa which a staggering 30.9% of it’s population of 3.89 million. That puts around 1.2
million of it’s citizens in unemployment.
● One of the main reasons for this is due to the lack of education, skill and work experience. Countries in Africa often lack the
resources to provide proper education or help citizens make a living.
● The philosopher Plato once said, “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life”.
● The digital age has brought many new professions that do not require higher education.
● Education is at the center of building human capital.
● Delivered well, education – along with the human capital it generates – benefits individuals and societies. For individuals,
education raises self-esteem and furthers opportunities for employment and earnings. And for a country, it helps strengthen
institutions within societies, drives long-term economic growth, reduces poverty, and spurs innovation
● Students need to be able to interpret information, form opinions, be creative, communicate well, collaborate, and be resilient.
● The World Bank’s vision is for all children and youth to be learning and acquiring the skills they need to be productive, fulfilled, and
 involved citizens and workers. Our focus is on helping teachers at all levels become more effective in facilitating learning,
improving technology for learning, strengthening management of schools and systems, while ensuring learners of all ages—from
preschool to adulthood—are equipped for success
● A growing body of evidence suggests the learning crisis is, at its core, a teaching crisis.
● To support countries in reforming the teaching profession, the World Bank is launching “Successful Teachers, Successful
Students.” This global platform for teachers addresses the key challenges of making all teachers effective, making teaching a
respectable and attractive profession with effective personnel policies, and ensuring teachers are equipped with the right skills and
knowledge before entering the classroom and subsequently supporting them throughout their careers.
● One of the most interesting, large scale educational technology efforts is being led by EkStep, a philanthropic effort in India.
EkStep created an open digital infrastructure which provides access to learning opportunities for 200 million children, as well as
professional development opportunities for 12 million teachers and 4.5 million school leaders. Both teachers and children are
accessing content which ranges from teaching materials, explanatory videos, interactive content, stories, practice worksheets, and
formative assessments. By monitoring which content is used most frequently—and most beneficially—informed decisions can be
made around future content.
● In a field that is developing at dizzying speeds, innovative solutions to educational challenges are springing up everywhere. Our
challenge is to make technology a driver of equity and inclusion and not a source of greater inequality of opportunity. We are
working with partners worldwide to support the effective and appropriate use of educational technologies to strengthen learning.
● Successful education reforms require good policy design, strong political commitment, and effective implementation capacity.
● Many countries struggle to make efficient use of resources and very often increased education spending does not translate into
more learning and improved human capital.
● However difficult, change is possible. Supported by the World Bank, public schools across Punjab in Pakistan have been part of
major reforms over the past few years to address these challenges. Through improved school-level accountability by monitoring
and limiting teacher and student absenteeism, and the introduction of a merit-based teacher recruitment system, where only the
most talented and motivated teachers were selected, they were able to increase enrollment and retention of students and
significantly improve the quality of education.
● ems are missing — or what’s being done right — to take the right steps to improve. The World Bank, along with the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UK’s Department for International Development, is developing the Global Education Policy
Dashboard. This new initiative will provide governments with a system for monitoring how their education systems are functioning,
from learning data to policy plans, so they are better able to make timely and evidence-based decisions
● The schools of the future are being built today. These are schools where all teachers have the right competencies and motivation,
where technology empowers them to deliver quality learning, and where all students learn fundamental skills, including socio-
emotional, and digital skills.
Universities must provide industry skills, collaborate or risk disruption
● To make the point, he cited the example of technology company Dyson in Britain, which set up its own Dyson Institute of
Engineering and Technology in 2017 to train a ready supply of engineers to tackle a shortage of such professionals in the British
economy.
TECHNOLOGY/ ● The advent of technology has resulted in an astronomical cultural shift in the current society and has changed our way of life
GLOBALISATION completely
● New Media ● At this stage, technology and human life cannot be separated as society has a cyclical co-dependence on technology
● All the information in the world is at the tip of our fingers
● Pros and ● Shrinking world- people around the globe are becoming more and more connected via social media platforms such as Instagram,
Twitter, Facebook
Cons
● Social media is a product of technology which allows people from all over the globe to share their experiences and opinions online
� Instantan ● Social media has also become a bastion for targeted advertisement where major MNCs take the opportunity to appeal to online
eous consumers and advertise their apparels/ newer startups or local brands benefit as they are able to reach out to a larger audience
news / online due to compared to just physical interaction
sharing ● Even people belonging to the older generation are keen to hop on to the bandwagon of owning a social media account in order to
of keep up with the happening of the world or to build a bond between them and their family members who are adolescents or simply
ideologie for laughs and entertainment
s CYBER BULLYING
� Types of ● Netizens must be aware of social media ethics- do not be a keyboard warrior, be socially responsible online, do not promulgate
users hate and discrimination towards a certain party
● Social media has given rise to cases of cyber bullying
(teens /
families / PROS OF TECHNOLOGY
communi ● Technology has become an integral part of our lives- use it for daily communication, research, school work
ty / govt) ● Things, everyday tasks are now easier to complete and the access to information is in real-time- extremely convenient, especially
� Shrinking given the fact that our lives are so fast-paced
world ● We no longer have to rely on paper books as ebooks are much more convenient to utilise
� Online ● Technology has given us the opportunity to experience different cultures and develop a more erudite vision of the world. This has
behavior been made possible due to the invention of a more efficient mode of transport, allowing people to travel across the world within a
/ ethics / considerably short period of time and gain a fruitful experience from their destination. The world is increasingly shrinking as
usage technology continues to become more and more ubiquitous and accessible.
● Technology has helped mankind live longer by improving facilities and aiding in the research for solutions for most health problems
which affect humans, This is good news for developed countries but bad news for developing countries which have not beej
● Migration/ imposition to access these healthcare benefits brought by technology
Global ● In developed countries population growth is controlled by advanced birth control methods which has helped them balance their
World / population in relation to natural resources and other opportunities which come with a planned population. This is very different in
Global developing countries where the rate at which people reproduce is very high, the mortality rate is high, food is scarce and health
Climate care is poor.

Social Media CONS OF TECHNOLOGY

● Media ● However, with every good seed, there is always a bad seed
Literacy ● Because our daily lives pretty much revolve around technology, we as a society have become overly reliant on technology. We are
all culpable of relying on a digital device to do the simplest things. In Singapore, Portable Mobility Device vehicles had gained quite
some popularity (before the ban set by the government). Before the government implemented the ban due to misuse of the device,
 Reading: the many people were seen travelling on electric-scooters, electric unicycles, and electric hoverboards and while this mode of
Technology travelling is cost efficient, less harmful for the environment and saves time, it has led to more people engaging and manifesting a
vs. Books sedentary lifestyle. The continuity of this indolent lifestyle may lead to harmful repercussions healthwise.
(differences, ● Nowadays we are so invested in communicating and building relationships online, we are slowly forgetting how to establish human
connection. Many of the younger generation children lack social and communication skills which hinders them from forging a bond
pros & cons)
with people
● Despite the convenience, students find it particularly challenging to separate work time from play time as they are so easily
● Censorship distracted by computer games and social media apps. Digital devices like computers and smartphones give students a free reign,
vs. letting them stray from a teacher’s planned lesson or even access content with wrong information, hence failing to meet the
Democracy learning objectives
on the ● Many students fall prey to the gaming world or invest too much time simply surfing the internet and the social media platforms,
Internet (?) which end up jeopardising their potential to do well in school
● How ● Despite the ubiquity of technology which has become a global phenomenon, it is very costly. While technology has reaped fruitful
technology / benefits for those who are able to afford it and indulge in it, there is a proportion of the society who is unable to have access to the
globalization latest technological and experience it
● Shortage of jobs. With technology, the
changes
efficiency of a task has increased tenfold
politics / and this is the reason why the technology
political might be able to replace humans soon. An
climate / increase in technology is going to ensure
nationhood that tasks that humans could do earlier can
now be achieved by machines and
technology. Thus, creating a shortage of
● A common example of this is using a cab service.
Another example is using GPS to know the directions
of any desired location. A lot of people today do not
bother learning or memorizing directions because they
depend on Google Maps for it.
● Nowadays even organizations prefer technology that is
capable of doing tasks more efficiently than humans.
Thus, with the rise of technology humans can be
replaced by algorithms and robots.
● Singapore has a policy against fake news (POFMA) → seeks to prevent the electronic communication of falsehoods (i.e. false statements of fact
or misleading information), as well as to safeguard against the use of online platforms for the communication of such falsehoods. Police reports
can be made against fake news
NATIONAL
SECURITY/ ● Singapore has been ranked No. 1 for order and security in an annual global survey on ordinary people’s experience of their
TOTAL DEFENCE country’s rule of law
Safety and security in ● A major upgrade of Singapore’s security architecture is in the works, as the threat of a terror attack here reaches its highest level in
decades. The use of police CCTV cameras, already in place at HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks, will be extended to more
a globalized world
public spaces, including town and hawker centres and walkways to transport hubs.
(Terrorism, etc.) ● Jan 2019: The terrorism threat to Singapore remains high as more radicalised individuals here are uncovered and terror groups
continue to make their presence felt globally, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a new assessment report. While
acknowledging that there has been no specific intelligence on an attack being planned against Singapore since 2017, it said
security agencies have continued to maintain high vigilance.
● SGSecure national movement - Singapore's community response to the threat of terror. It aims to sensitise, train, and mobilise our
community to prevent and deal with a terror attack.

Feb 2019, The republic introduced digital defence as the sixth pillar of defence, signalling the threat cyber attacks and disinformation pose
and the importance of cyber security.

ELDERLY -
THE ● The number of seniors who work into their silver years is growing– especially among the lower-income group, for whom retirement
MARGINALISED is an alien concept
IN SOCIETY ● In recent years they have become more visible as food court cleaners, servers, security guards, tissue-sellers and scrap collectors
(menial, laborious job)
(Those who require
● The older they get, those who previously held blue-collar jobs would find themselves even lower down the workforce rung- low pay,
help) financially unstable, cannot afford basic necessities
● Such people are often overlooked in a highly affluent and progressive society like Singapore as we fail to realise that not everyone
● CHARITY has access to the various schemes provided by the government to help them cope financially
● Elderly DISABLED
● Underprivileg ● I strongly believe that disabled individuals deserve equal access and voice in the society; having access to such things should not
ed be prerogative of only the abled bodied people
● Disabled and ● I personally think that disabled people face being marginalised by the very programs that are designed to help them
those with ● president of the Disabled People's Association, said that only a small proportion of people with disabilities are employed and many
special needs face discrimination in the workplace. He asked how public agencies can lead by example in diversity inclusion.
● Singapore’s Smart Nation Push is not as inclusive as some government apps are not compatible with software that helps the
● Foreign
visually handicapped navigate their smartphones, he said.
workers / ● SES issue in Singapore.Access, which will be registered as a non-profit organisation by October, gives secondary school students
domestic from disadvantaged backgrounds access to office tours, career workshops and short attachments with companies. It is working on
helpers, etc. providing a pool of mentors for these students. – Set up by a student in the UK who was an NA student in spore sec school
● [Animals] ● Employment for disabled people should be a national issue rather than for it to be an objective of welfare organisations and social
● Foreigners service agencies
● The intersectionality between disability and other groups that face discrimination has come under increased attention in recent
*Those marginalized years, but we still know relatively little about many aspects of living with a disability within groups that face poverty, prejudice and
by globalisation social marginalization.

Areas of Concern: SCHOOLS

● Internal vs. ● Policymakers have reacted quickly to these developments. To ensure a more diverse mix of students, especially in popular
schools, from next year's Secondary 1 posting exercise, 20 percent of places in secondary schools which are affiliated to primary
External
schools will be reserved for students without affiliation.
- Emot
● Changes have also recently been announced to the Direct School Admission scheme to streamline the application process and
ional make it free, reducing barriers of application for students from low-income families.
supp ● As we work to increase the diversity of student backgrounds in popular schools, schools and teachers have to be mindful of
ort socioeconomic differences between students and recognise that different students may face different constraints. They therefore
vs. need to be sensitised to ensure that socioeconomic differences between students are not needlessly highlighted in school and
Infras classroom activities.
tructu ● There are other ways teachers might inadvertently marginalise poorer students. For instance, they may have classroom activities
re / which require students to describe and share details about what their parents do for a living or the countries and places they have
Exter visited. Students whose parents work in less prestigious occupations or who have not had the opportunity to travel abroad due to
nal financial constraints would naturally find these activities somewhat embarrassing. Although these activities might seem harmless,
supp they can lead to feelings of inferiority among less advantaged children in the school.
ort
MIGRANT WORKERS/FOREIGNERS
-
● I feel that a lot of people in Singapore look at this country in rose tinted lenses and tend to ignore the unpleasant, invidious side of
● Inclusivity vs.
the society
Exclusivity
● Many of us seem to overlook the fact that migrant workers are the bedrock of Singapore- unlike other countries where the citizens
(Specially of the country are employed to do construction work, in Singapore majority of our infrastructures are built by migrant workers
tailored mainly from India, Bangladesh and China
programmes) ● Many people seem to view them as unsanitary, unhygienic, uneducated without failing to understand the culture they grew up in, in
● Assumptions vs. their country of origin and also the living condition of their dormitory does not particularly give them much
Reality
● Educate and
Initiate (events)

Youth Corps - program for young adults out of school. It is designed to promote a strong work ethic, a sense of public service, educational
and employment prospects in participants; additionally, it is designed to benefit the communities in which the programs are housed.

LEISURE / ●
LIFESTYLE RECREATIONAL SPORTS
SPORTS & ● Recreational sports can motivate students to spend their leisure time in a healthy way, to break away from drugs and alcohol, and
THE ARTS to participate both actively and as spectators in recreational, leisure and sporting activities on an equal basis with others (both
● Sports able-bodied and disabled).
- Recre ● In addition, recreational sports aid as a motivation for using sports for social inclusion and personal development, which includes
ation self-confidence, networking, social interaction among students, and social inclusion for disabled people.
● Besides, the culture of recreational sports activities is an enjoyable and effective way to improve health and well-being, as they can
al vs.
relieve stress, increase fitness, improve physical and mental health, and prevent the development of chronic diseases, such as
Com heart disease,
petiti ● On the other hand, recreational sports is powerful in awareness raising, reduction of stigma, and social inclusion. This means they
ve vs. call for low-cost means to foster the greater inclusion of people with disabilities, they bring people of all ages and abilities together
Extre for enjoyment, and provide people with disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths and abilities, as well as promote a
me positive image of disability at the same time, positively influencing their self-confidence and self-esteem. Builds camaraderie and a
- Selec strong rapport within the community
ted ● Recreational sports are indubitably a great way to introduce kids to the basic rules of the game and begin to teach them good
few sportsmanship skills.
vs. ● Sportsmanship- Good sportsmanship builds teamwork, character, and teaches respect, honor, discipline, kindness, inclusion,
resilience, perseverance, and so much more- all these values that mould a person and shape him or her to be a bigger person
All
● It is also a way to get kids out in the fresh air, exercising and having fun. Most professional athletes began playing in recreational
- Ind. leagues, but it is important to remember that recreational sports benefit all kids—not just budding future pro-athletes.
Vs. ● Even if someone has only moderate athletic ability or seems “un-athletic,” a good, positive recreational sports program can be a
Grou great way for them to develop their cognitive and physical skills. This development will help them in all areas of their life and will
p build bolster (strengthen) self-esteem and progress further in life
● The Arts COMPETITIVE SPORTS
(theatres / ● Builds resilience- Competitive sport requires dedicated training and practice. Taking part in such training and seeing improvement
concerts/ helps students to understand that with hard work, often comes results. When they experience these improvements, their self-
music) esteem grows and they broaden their limitations of what they can achieve.Goal setting is also an important part of competitive
- Genr sports. At the start of a season, a coach will often guide students in setting team and individual goals to work towards. Good goal
es setting techniques are highly transferable skills that can be applied across all areas of schooling and life.
● Teaches people to embody the corinthian spirit- Losing well is a skill best learnt early and learnt well. Competitive sport is the
- Live
perfect place to develop this skill as many students are at an age where they are maturing and deciding what type of person they
vs. want to be. Engraining good sportsmanship early can ensure students carry these good practices across every aspect of their lives
Reco and into their adulthood. Equally as important is teaching students to win gracefully. Competitive sport, especially when the stakes
rded are high and emotions invested, provides ample opportunity for these lessons to be taught, learnt and practiced.
- High ARTS
brow ● Art is important because it makes you feel the beauty of freedom. It is a free expression of human mind and senses. An expression
vs. which is not subdue to any kind of utility, if you don't desire; an expression which only aims at her own existence, at her own
main beauty.
strea ● Why arts is important/powerful- It has the power to educate people about almost anything. It can create awareness and present
m information in a way that could be absorbed by many easily. In a world where there are those who don’t even have access to good
education; art makes education an even greater equalizer of society.
 ● When activists are showing images of children suffering from poverty or oppression in their campaigns, this is the art pulling the
● Popular Culture heartstrings of society’s elite and powerful to make changes.
● Recreational ● Similarly, when photographers publish the photos of war-torn areas, it catches the attention of masses whose hearts reach out for
Activities / Past those who need help.
● When an artist creates great music and movies, it entertains people around the world. This is art, making a difference in society.
times / Hobbies
● A very modern example of art in action is street art. When the famous Italian street artist Blu created the mural in Kreuzberg, Berlin
● Entertainment / (coartz-barg) it sparked a lot of strong, different reactions that were rooted deeply into the differences between East and West
Celebrities Berlin.
● PLAY ● Who would have thought that a wall painting depicting two masked figures trying to unmask each other could illicit such strong
reactions?
Censorship and
responsibility

●
● Now the issue behind this mural is a totally different matter to discuss. But whether or not the effect of the mural was good, it
cannot be denied how a well-crafted piece of art can have a great impact on society.
● It promotes cultural appreciation among a generation that’s currently preoccupied with their technology. In fact, it can be said that if
it weren’t for art, our history, culture, and traditions would be in more danger of being forgotten than they already are.
● It is definitely a remarkable mode of depicting cultures all over the world. For example, When you see films featuring Bollywood
music and dancing, you know that it’s a movie from India. Art has the power to take cultural practices from where they are from and
then transport and integrate them into different parts of the world without losing their identity.
● There, these art forms can be used to entertain, create awareness, and even inspire foreigners to accept these cultures, no matter
how strange or alien they may seem.
● This is especially important in our highly globalized world.
● Art has played an important role in helping fight against intolerance of different cultures, racism, and other forms of unjust societal
segregation.
● With immigration becoming a growing trend, the world’s countries are expected to be more tolerant and accepting of those who
enter their borders.
● Art helps make that happen by making sure that identities and their cultures are given due recognition around the world. E.g
Korean pop culture (k-wave), Parasite, Crazy Rich Asian, Bollywood
● It breaks cultural, social, and economic barriers. While art can’t really solve poverty or promote social justice on its own, it can be
 used as a leveled playing field for discourse and expression. The reason why everyone can relate to art is that everyone has
emotions and personal experiences. Therefore, anyone can learn to appreciate art regardless of their social background, economic
standing, or political affiliation.
● It accesses higher orders of thinking. Art doesn’t just make you absorb information. Rather, it makes you think about current ideas
and inspire you to make your own. This is why creativity is a form of intelligence – it is a special ability that unlocks the potentials of
the human mind. In fact, studies have shown that exposure to art can make you better in other fields of knowledge.
● ARTS EDUCATION
● Working in the arts helps learners to develop creative problem-solving skills.
● Teaching through the arts can present difficult concepts visually, making them more easy to understand.
● Art instruction helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and
inventiveness.
● Visual arts teach learners about color, layout, perspective, and balance: all techniques that are necessary in presentations (visual,
digital) of academic work.
● Integrating art with other disciplines reaches students who might not otherwise be engaged in classwork.
● Arts experiences boost critical thinking, teaching students to take the time to be more careful and thorough in how they observe the
world

KEEPING FIT PHYSICAL

● Physical activity or exercise can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2
� Physicall diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate and long-term health
y vs benefits. Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life. A minimum of 30 minutes a day can allow you
Mentally to enjoy these benefits.
vs ● A number of studies have found that exercise helps depression. There are many views as to how exercise helps people with
Emotiona depression:
● Exercise may block negative thoughts or distract you from daily worries.
lly
● Exercising with others provides an opportunity for increased social contact.
● Increased fitness may lift your mood and improve your sleep patterns.
HEALTHCARE / ● Exercise may also change levels of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, endorphins and stress hormones.
MEDICAL ● Numerous studies have shown that regular physical activity increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of
*Healthy living premature mortality. There’s not a magic formula that translates hours of physical activity into hours of life gained, but
research suggests that people who are more active tend to be healthier and tend to live longer.
● A sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity can take a toll on a person’s body. Physical inactivity is associated with an
increased risk for certain types of cancer, numerous chronic diseases, and mental health issues.
● Staying active and healthy allows you to do activities that require a certain level of physical fitness. For example, hiking to the top
of a mountain is a rewarding experience that instills a sense of accomplishment and provides spectacular scenery, but there are
 people who cannot experience this due to fitness limitations.
● But even walking around the zoo with your family or playing on the playground with your children can be challenging for those who
neglect physical activity for extended periods of time. Being active means that it’s easier to stay active as you get older.
● One in three Singaporeans does not get enough physical activity, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) study on global
health that was released yesterday. HPB continues to encourage citizens to do 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of
vigorous activity a week.

MENTAL
● Latest nationwide study shows 1 in 7 people in Singapore has experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime
>low local health levels could be due to stressful workload SIngapreans face -Singapore ranks 32 out of 40 for work-life balance,
second most overworked city
● When you go to bed after a long day, your body begins to relax. But the mind doesn’t always follow.
● Visualization can help. You can often achieve a sense of peacefulness through imagery, the process of picturing a tranquil scene
or location. This practice can reduce tension in both your body and your mind by challenging neurons in the less-dominant area of
your brain.
● The less-dominant side of your brain is the area that controls feelings of self-confidence and optimism. When you think about
something other than your daily worries, you increase activity in the neural structures of that area of your brain.
● Ultimately, visualization can boost your emotional well-being and calm you down mentally.
● Keeping your mind mentally fit isn’t as difficult as getting ready for a marathon, but it’s a good analogy. You can add mental
exercises to the many activities you already perform, such as: reading, daydreaming, finding humour in life, basically engaging in
something that brings us joy and thrill
● Positive affirmation is one avenue to increased mental proficiency.
● Affirmation, or talking to yourself in a positive way, involves strengthening neural pathways to bring your self-confidence, well-
being, and satisfaction to a higher level.
● To start, make a list of your good qualities. Remind yourself that you don’t have to be perfect. Set goals for what you want to
improve and start small to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
● Mental fitness is important to maintaining your brain and your body healthy, especially as you age. There are many types of mental
dexterity exercises, and you don’t need to go to the gym to do them. They include active ones, such as learning a new song or
playing a game, as well as restful ones, such as relaxation and visualization exercises. Schedule a mental fitness break into your
calendar right next to your workout schedule. Your mind and your health are worth it .

Sustainable Singapore Blueprint

Tree planting day → initiated in 1971, trees planted by our prime ministers annually

Singapore has buildings with solar panels → called “Green Buildings”

 Healthcare
Singapore carries out a well thought
through shared responsibility approach in
the healthcare industry, balancing personal
responsibility and the role that the
government plays in providing for hc. This approach has been very successful.
Singapore was ranked 6th in the World
Health Organizations #39;s ranking of the world's
health systems in the year 2000. Bloomberg
ranked Singapore #39;s healthcare system the
most efficient in the world in 2014.

ENVIRONMENT
● SPACES Sustainability
� Built vs. ● More companies are climbing onto the going green bandwagon-initiatives: reducing plastic bags/ doing away with packaging
Natural ● Younger consumers place an emphasis on a brand’s sustainability practices in their purchasing decisions
● Business needs to do more than simply pay lip service to sustainable strategies
� Natural
● Starbucks has mentioned in 2018 that it’ll ban straws in outlets worldwide by 2020
(sea vs. ● Stella McCartney has been pivoting towards sustainable fashion, a response to the highly disposable "fast fashion" critiqued by
land vs. environmentalists and human rights advocates alike, for the past decade, with her most recent Winter 2019 ad campaign
sky) partnering with members of Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness about climate change.
� Common ● The campaign focuses on its use of recyclable and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, "fur-free fur," and a new recycled
Spaces thread which uses melted plastic to create a synthetic fabric. In a preview for the campaign, McCartney asked activists, models,
(Commu and followers for their "five ways to save the world."
nity. ● Many have caught on to what I like to call the “Greta Effect”, however there are still ignorant, self absorbed and ego-centric people
Shared who refuse to acknowledge the disastrous effects of climate change.
Spaces) ● One best example would be the catastrophic australian bush fire which happened earlier this year- it served the global population
as a wake up call to be more environmentally conscious and has galvanised people all over the world to hold themselves
� HERITA
accountable for their environmentally unfriendly deeds and strive towards a more sustainable lifestyle
GE and Spaces
Conserva ● produce from rice to tomatoes in his home at Jurong East or at a nearby community garden. The community garden helps him to
tion be more in touch with nature and helps him be self sufficient
● A new therapeutic garden has opened at Telok Blangah Hill Park, the fifth in a growing network of such gardens created by the
● (Natural) National Parks Board (NParks). Promotes interaction with nature and improve the mental well-being of visitors by helping them to
 Disasters destress
� Control ● Street Corner Heritage Galleries initiative aims to revitalise heritage precincts and instil a stronger sense of ownership among key
� Prepared ● The 160-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens has a rich history and an array of botanical and horticultural attractions of worldwide
ness significance. Complementing these are educational programmes and family-oriented activities to cater to visitors of all ages. The
Gardens is also a world-renowned botanical institution.
● Building technologies for a green city and capabilities to fulfil sustainable development are important. Urban agriculture includes
● Recycling orchards for harvesting fruits and crops growing at different scales, from large plots to small rooftop gardens and lawn spaces
● Sustainability around residential estates.
● Urban agriculture is now a growing interest and provides fresh food at a low cost to local supermarkets, while integrating
composting facilities to recycle household organic waste. Many private enterprises have seized these opportunities with
government support to establish new start-ups which can potentially be expanded to other Asian cities. The increased greenery
also increases energy efficiency in buildings.
● Many organisations work together to enhance the city sustainability and liveability in the island's dense urban environment.
Singapore now has about 72ha of rooftop greenery - the size of over 100 football fields.
● Contributing to this landscape are buildings, including hotels and hospitals, which retrofit greenery on their roofs and walls, and
new developments that incorporate greenery in the building designs.
● Giving people access to the natural environment could yield important benefits for the "mental capital" of a city.
● Green urbanism - the practice of creating communities beneficial to humans and the environment - is an important element of a
liveable city. Trees improve air quality, reduce cooling and heating energy use, and make urban environments a pleasure to
behold.
● Parks allow people to gain a fresh perspective on life, helping visitors to temporarily escape from buildings and crowded streets.
Trees and grass in common spaces improve social interaction. Moreover, parks and greenery, such as New York's Central Park
and Singapore's Botanic Gardens, soften the tone of a built landscape and make high-density urban environments more liveable.
● Contact with nature improves the physical and mental health of individuals and communities. Physical activity during gardening, for
instance, reduces stress, anxiety and depression.
● Horticultural therapy (the art or practice of garden cultivation and management) is well established around the world and, in some
countries, it has been introduced in educational institutions including kindergartens and special-needs schools. It is well accepted
in medical care facilities, especially in rehabilitation hospitals, psychiatric services, palliative care and aged homes as a means of
providing patients with graded and carefully designed gardening activities to improve their quality of life. Such therapy has also
been noted to promote social functioning and self-esteem in patients with psychiatric conditions.

FAMILY AND
COMMUNITY National Day heartland celebrations
● Generation
Gap / Eat with Eat with your families duringFamily Day (4x in 2019) - to encourage organisations to allow employees to leave work early at 5pm
Intergeneratio to enjoy a meal with their children and families.
nal bonding
In the coming years, more community centres here could be repurposed to become specialist centres providing targeted programmes and
 ● Past vs activities catering to the needs of specific groups (eg. Fitness programmes, lifestyle programmes, career preparatory services)
Future
The Bicentennial Office year-long commemoration is "an opportunity for Singaporeans to find personal connections to the past, and
● Cultural / discover more about our longer history by piecing together the stories of our shared journey"
- The roadshows provide an interactive experience of Singapore's 700-year history, charting our transformation from a place with a
Religious /
geographical location to a nation and people with a unique Singaporean DNA
Family
It may be held during the Chinese New Year festivities, but this wondrous event brings together people and performances from across
Practices and Singapore’s cultural spectrum, and is celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike.
celebrations
� Festivals With all its noise and gaiety, the parade was mooted over four decades ago as a way to compensate for the ban that had been placed on
� Cultural firecrackers, a customary Chinese New Year practice to drive away evil spirits.
practices
� Family
rituals
� Mileston
es
(wedding
s/
birthdays
/ NS)

Identity (National /
Shared)
Mass community
activities
(Campaigns, breaking
records, competitions,
charity drives)

NATIONAL
IDENTITY
- Places of
Interest
- Tourism
- National
Education
 - National
Service
- Multiracialis
m/
Multiculturali
sm (Inclusion
of foreigners
– need for an
inclusive
society)
TRAVEL AND
TRANSPORT
● Public -
Transport
● Road Safety
● Commuters

● MODES:
flights , ferry
● Adv. Vs.
Disadv.

SCIENCE and
WORK Future of Work Regional Initiative was mooted by Singapore and discussed by Asean labour ministers at a conference yesterday. (April
● Lab Work 2019)
● Experiments Manpower Minister Josephine Teo
Mrs Teo and her Asean counterparts signed a joint statement on the future of work, committing to improve education and training
● Safety
standards to harness technology, and to increase the labour force participation of women, people with disabilities, young people and the
elderly, among other things.
● Working
culture
● Entrepreneurs For workers, this means being proactive in picking up new skills to stay relevant. For businesses, it means using technology and training to
hip / Social keep pace with industry transformation, improve the quality of jobs and help workers be more productive and empowered, she said. For the
Enterprises government, it means staying responsive, taking the lead to point out future directions and pitfalls, providing resources and coordinating
● Learning stakeholders.
journey/
 work Mrs Teo said Singapore recognises the need to support workers' career mobility. It also regularly reviews employment legislation, policies
attachments and programmes to ensure adequate and appropriate labour and social protection, an inclusive workforce and progressive workplaces.

● New Asean remains a place of potential, amid the challenges of demographics, technology and climate change which could disrupt the nature of
work, she noted.
opportunities
in the 21st "To better serve all our workers, let us face our challenges with a balance of humility and confidence," she said.
Century
(Social
media, etc.)

THE INDIVIDUAL
YOU :)
● Your life journey
● Challenges
● Likes vs. Dislikes
● Happy vs. Sad
● Hobbies /
Interests
● Life lessons
● Value system