Singapore Kindness Movement
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) is a non-profit organization that executes public education programs aimed at cultivating kindness and graciousness in Singaporean society. It was officially launched in 1997. The movement serves as the successor to the Singapore Courtesy Council that oversaw the National Courtesy Campaign (Singapore)
from the 80’s through the 90’s.
’s call to Singaporeans to develop into a more caring and gracious society in the new century.
In his 1996 New Year’s address, stated "We have become a developed economy
because we put our minds to it and strive hard to reach our goals. Let us now complement our economic achievements with social, cultural and spiritual development. Then by the 21st Century, Singapore will be a truly successful, mature country, with a developed economy and a gracious society."
PM Goh announced the SKM pilot project in July 1996, when he launched the Singapore Courtesy Campaign.Some 2,000 students from the uniformed groups in 20 secondary schools participated in the pilot project.
The Movement was launched in January 1997, to over 80,000 secondary school students. SKM officially registered as a non-profit society in 31 January 1997. In March 2001, the National Courtesy Campaign was subsumed by the Movement.
Singapore Kindness Movement is currently the secretariat of the World Kindness Movement
.
Its main objectives are:
To encourage all Singaporeans to be more kind and considerate.
To enhance public awareness of acts of kindness.
To influence and raise the standards of social behaviour in our society.
The Movement is supported by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
and funded by a Government grant. SKM also secures funds through its membership subscriptions and sponsorships.
The patron of the Movement is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
and the current Chairman is Mr Koh Poh Tiong.
Singa the Lion is the official mascot of the Singapore Kindness Movement.
Refer to
National Courtesy Campaign (Singapore)
The National Courtesy Campaign was a campaign launched in June 1979 by Singapore's Ministry of Culture as a means of encouraging Singaporeans to be more kind and considerate to each other, so as to create a pleasant social environment. It was to be an annual effort by the government to encourage...
from the 80’s through the 90’s.
History
The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) was initiated in response to Prime Minister Goh Chok TongGoh Chok Tong
Goh Chok Tong is the Senior Minister of Singapore and the chairman of the central bank of Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He also served as the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore from 28 November 1990 to 12 August 2004, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime...
’s call to Singaporeans to develop into a more caring and gracious society in the new century.
In his 1996 New Year’s address, stated "We have become a developed economy
Developed country
A developed country is a country that has a high level of development according to some criteria. Which criteria, and which countries are classified as being developed, is a contentious issue...
because we put our minds to it and strive hard to reach our goals. Let us now complement our economic achievements with social, cultural and spiritual development. Then by the 21st Century, Singapore will be a truly successful, mature country, with a developed economy and a gracious society."
PM Goh announced the SKM pilot project in July 1996, when he launched the Singapore Courtesy Campaign.Some 2,000 students from the uniformed groups in 20 secondary schools participated in the pilot project.
The Movement was launched in January 1997, to over 80,000 secondary school students. SKM officially registered as a non-profit society in 31 January 1997. In March 2001, the National Courtesy Campaign was subsumed by the Movement.
Singapore Kindness Movement is currently the secretariat of the World Kindness Movement
World Kindness Movement
The World Kindness Movementis a coalition of various kindness movements around the world. The movement was initially conceptualized in 1997 with the aim of bringing like minded kindness movements across the globe together, The current members of the movement are 20 kindness organisations with...
.
Organizational Goals
The mission statement of the SKM is to inspire graciousness through spontaneous acts of kindness, making life more pleasant for everyone.Its main objectives are:
To encourage all Singaporeans to be more kind and considerate.
To enhance public awareness of acts of kindness.
To influence and raise the standards of social behaviour in our society.
Structure
The SKM organisational structure consists of two main parts: The SKM Council (SKMC) and the SKM Secretariat. The SKM Council comprises members from the private and 19 public sectors.In March 2001, the Singapore Courtesy Council integrated with the SKMC.The Movement is supported by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts is a ministry of the Government of Singapore...
and funded by a Government grant. SKM also secures funds through its membership subscriptions and sponsorships.
The patron of the Movement is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong
Lee Hsien Loong is the third and current Prime Minister of Singapore. He is married to Ho Ching, who is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings. He is the eldest son of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew....
and the current Chairman is Mr Koh Poh Tiong.
Logo and mascot
The two strokes and ovals of the Singapore Kindness Movement logo depicts two people - one who does an act of kindness and the other who receives it. The freehand strokes combine to form a heart. In it, red symbolises love for your fellow man and green represents caring for the environment, tolerance, creativity and consideration.Singa the Lion is the official mascot of the Singapore Kindness Movement.
Refer to