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Amid the unprecedented events of 2020, many Singaporeans have risen to the challenge, showing resilience, optimism and determination in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the run-up to the new year, we feature a profile of 21 people sharing more about their respective journeys, as well as their hopes and aspirations for 2021.
Collected, assertive and confident, he was the authority figure who brought clarity to a complex and constantly evolving situation that threatened the nation on many fronts. And while the casual observer might not have been able to tell from his cool demeanor, Minister Lawrence Wong was certainly in the dock for most of the year, co-chairing the COVID-19 Multi-Ministerial Task Force with Health Minister Gan Kim Yong. .
It was a journey of trials and tribulations, as the nation faced unexpected turns. Just as many Singaporeans found an internal reservoir of resilience through our united fight against the pandemic, Mr. Wong has also gained invaluable insights this year from many developments.
Here, the Minister of Education and the Second Minister of Finance review 2020 and the lessons it offers for him and the nation.
In 2020, the pandemic irrevocably changed the world. As co-chair of the COVID-19 Multi-Ministerial Task Force, he was at the forefront of efforts to combat the pandemic. Can you share with us some key stories and takeaways from the front line that have made a deep impression?
There were so many stories, given that he had a front-row perspective on Singapore’s response to the crisis.
I will never forget meeting the many leaders in healthcare and how they kept their spirits and worked without complaint, despite how tired they were.
I saw how the public and private sectors worked together with speed and a determined approach to establish the many response facilities.
I got to see the best of Singaporeans, not just front-line people dealing with the crisis directly, but people, including school-age children, supporting each other, either through volunteering to distribute masks in bedrooms. or simply writing ‘thank you’ notes to show your appreciation and support for our frontline workers and migrant workers. The community spirit and unity from scratch have been very inspiring. It is a powerful demonstration of people reflecting on the crisis and figuring out how to get better out of it.
How has the educational landscape changed after COVID-19, and what advice do you have for parents and students embarking on the new academic year in 2021?
Accelerated adoption of technology in education has been something we’ve talked about for a long time. Such a change takes time, but ironically, due to COVID-19 and the need to ensure that learning could continue at home, we had to adapt and integrate the technology much faster.
That is why we want to ensure the benefits of learning at home and make it part of the general curriculum. With technology, blended learning and flipped classrooms become possible. Learning will no longer be didactic. Some lessons can be taught online, and for classes that are taught in person, there may be a greater focus on two-way engagements between teachers and students.
The crisis has also caused people to wonder how well prepared we are for a volatile future. This goes beyond technology and takes us on a journey away from strictly focusing on book knowledge to fostering broader knowledge.S t 21st century competencies and values, to guarantee a comprehensive education at all levels.
The pandemic has strengthened our resolve to continue down this path and has put better systems in place to instill these 21S t 20th century competencies (communication, creativity, innovation, resilience, adaptability) in every child, from preschool to tertiary education.
How has your own life changed since COVID-19 hit?
Now I eat, sleep and dream about COVID-19!
Professionally, it was an opportunity to grow and learn, and to face a new challenge.
On a personal level, family has always been important to me. COVID-19 makes it difficult to spend time with people outside of my home. A situation like this makes you reflect on what is truly important in life. But while it’s sad to miss family and friends, I’ve adjusted to social restrictions, it’s something we’ve all had to deal with.
Wong reflects on how the experiences of 2020 have shaped him.
How have the events of 2020 inspired you as a leader?
This has been a year of novelties, for sure. For one thing, I did more press conferences in a year, more than 50! – than in my life to date, after almost 10 years in politics and 15 years in public service. The frequency and short notice of these lectures forced me to leave my comfort zone and adapt and grow on the communication side.
From a broader perspective, the scale and unprecedented impact of this pandemic is a reminder that the best-designed plans don’t always go well. [Former US President and World War 2 general Dwight] Eisenhower once said that “plans in battle are futile, but planning is indispensable.”
In fact, we benefited from the planning we did after SARS, but ultimately, there is no way to anticipate everything: there were a number of unimaginable issues to be addressed on all fronts. Recognizing that there will be setbacks and lapses, and that you will have to recover, adapt and improve along the way, which our system has proven capable of doing throughout the year, is certainly a lesson to be learned.
Moving forward to 2021, what kind of leadership approach would best benefit Singapore going forward and what changes would it entail?
The current world situation offers a sobering lesson. It is a demonstration of how trust in authority has been eroded with devastating consequences. It is also a reminder of how fragile social ties can be.
It’s not just about how leadership should change, but also how everyone in society, and those who lead, should work together and tackle issues. As Lee Kuan Yew said in his 60th birthday: ‘Only a people willing to face their problems and prepared to work with their leaders to overcome unexpected difficulties with courage and resolve deserve to prosper and prosper.’
Moving forward, it’s about everyone working together and having that trust in each other. That is why we talk about Singapore together and building a government that involves many more people in decision making and empowering them to shape Singapore into a collective movement. We have a wide range of stronger emerging conversations and partnerships for action where stakeholders have the ability to initiate solutions.
What is your New Year’s resolution?
I just want to be healthy and do better every year. This is a lifelong quest that is not specific to just the new year.
What is your hope for Singapore in 2021?
I hope that 2021 is the year that we stand together and win this fight against COVID-19, and come out stronger.
Share your thoughts, hopes, and aspirations for 2021, from now until December 30 at 11:59 p.m. Upload your videos on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok with the hashtags #SGTogetherBetterTomorrow and # LetsCelebrate2021. The best 21 posts can earn S $ 210 in coupons. Visit mediacorp.sg/letscelebrate2021/sgtogether for more details. Terms and Conditions apply.
