PICTURES, VIDEO

Ideas to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday wanted

SG50 Steering Committee and Education Minister Heng Swee Keat (right) and chairman of the SG50 Programme Office and Acting Minister for Community, Culture and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong (second from right) at the launch of a new campaign, tagged Ca
SG50 Steering Committee and Education Minister Heng Swee Keat (right) and chairman of the SG50 Programme Office and Acting Minister for Community, Culture and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong (second from right) at the launch of a new campaign, tagged Call for Celebration Ideas. -- ST PHOTO: CHARISSA YONG
An exhibit at the National Library with the SG50 icon, at the launch of a call for celebration ideas. -- ST PHOTO: GOH CHIN LIAN 
SG50 Steering Committee chairman and Education Minister Heng Swee Keat launching the call for SG50 ideas at the National Library. Singapore turns 50 next year, and it is a milestone you can celebrate with up to $50,000 from the Government. -- ST PHOTO: GOH CHIN LIAN 

Singapore turns 50 next year, and it is a milestone you can celebrate with up to $50,000 from the Government.

Or it will cover up to 90 per cent of the cost of each approved celebratory project.

Singaporeans can send in their ideas through the official SG50 website, www.Singapore50.sg, or collection boxes at community centres, public libraries and museums.

The chairman of the SG50 Steering Committee and Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said at the launch of the campaign at the National Library: "Singapore's 50th birthday belongs to all Singaporeans, so it is important that everyone feels (that you have) a stake to share your different ideas, and feels that the celebrations belong to you."

Funding applications will be open to groups of individuals, non-profit organisations, societies and companies registered in Singapore.

An SG50 Celebration Fund Evaluation Panel, made up of 12 community and industry experts, including from the private sector, will assess the projects for funding.

The campaign for ideas to mark the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence will reach out to various groups such as students and the elderly.

Chairman of the SG50 Programme Office and Acting Minister for Community, Culture and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong, said: "Those who want to bring their ideas to fruition and drive their own SG50 projects will have a chance to get their project funded.

"We want to support individuals or groups who are passionate about showing their love for Singapore and who want to inspire others to do the same."

Mr Wong added that the first major event for SG50 will be a tribute to the pioneer generation at the Istana next month.

Mr Heng also launched the SG50 logo - a little red dot that has come to symbolise Singapore's ability to punch above its weight despite its limitations in size and natural resources. The design by Jackson Tan, creative director of creative agency Black Design, allows Singaporeans to personalise the logo and make it their own.

In August last year, Mr Heng unveiled his 29-member team with representatives from a range of sectors, including top music producer Iskandar Ismail and film director Royston Tan. Along with the ground-up projects, high-profile events such as the National Day Parade will mark the 2015 jubilee.

Mr Heng said his greatest hope is that it is a "truly inclusive celebration", with Singaporeans, from pioneers to the young, sharing their memories of and hopes for Singapore.

He said: "By sharing these, we will make our celebrations all the richer, and make this a truly Singaporean celebration for everyone."

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