Forum: Build on ground-up efforts to create a ‘we’ society

In his recent National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong articulated a vision of Singapore as a “we” society – one built on shared responsibility, compassion and collective effort. A society where everyone contributes and everyone matters.  

This spirit of “we” is already being cultivated through programmes that encourage active citizenship and community-building. Citizens’ panels and Alliances for Action, for example, provide platforms for residents to deliberate on and co-develop policies on complex national issues. These initiatives show how inclusive governance can work in practice – when ordinary people are trusted with the responsibility of shaping decisions that affect them.

The design of public spaces also cultivates the “we” culture. HDB void decks, community kitchens, neighbourhood committees and intergenerational spaces are all meant to encourage interaction and strengthen social ties.

While this top-down encouragement of participation is good, the most meaningful progress towards a “we” society has been ground up. Non-governmental organisations, informal community groups and passionate individuals – or civil society – have long put “we” ahead of “me”.

These individuals and groups have stepped forward to address social challenges with creativity and compassion. Whether it’s supporting migrant workers or advocating for mental health, these groups lead with insight drawn from lived experience and trust within communities.

However, the Government’s relationship with civil society remains cautious. Many independent initiatives operate without stable funding or significant support from the state. Grant schemes tend to favour the well-established groups, leaving small or informal ventures under-resourced – and sometimes viewed with suspicion by officialdom.

If Singapore is serious about building a “we first” society, the Government must evolve from being just the provider to becoming a true partner. This means expanding access to funding and other support, and also allowing more space for autonomy, experimentation and alternative voices. A resilient and inclusive society is shaped not by policy; it rests on trust – trust in citizens to care, to lead, and to shape their own communities from the ground up.

We welcome PM Wong’s call for a “we” society. But this must be backed by a deeper shift – a mindset shift not just among citizens, but also in how officialdom views and relates to the people it serves.

A society built on “we” is one where progress is not measured solely by GDP or policy outcomes, but by how well we – the Government and citizens – support the vulnerable, uplift one another and build structures that let citizens contribute meaningfully. The “we” society is within reach. 

Constance Singam