Good Afternoon Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to be here today for the launch of the "Glowing In The Dark" Exhibition, jointly organised by the Sembawang-Hong Kah Community Development Council (CDC) and the Welfare Services Club of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

I am pleased to know that the Sembawang-Hong Kah CDC has shown much support in youth initiative projects within our community. It is truly commendable that our young people today do come forward to do more than what is required of them in their academic field. I understand that "Glowing in the Dark" is an annual initiative by the NTU, organised to dispel many misconceptions concerning the less fortunate among us. Through organised activities like this, the less fortunate are given the opportunity to interact and communicate with the public. More importantly, this project helps to raise the public’s awareness to the talents and abilities of this group of people.

We have set out great visions for Singapore in the new millennium. The Singapore 21 has five key ideas or pillars. One of which is "Every Singaporean Matters". Every Singaporean is unique and each of us has a role to play and a contribution to make. Together, we will realise our hopes and aspirations.

Like many of us, the less fortunate have dreams and aspirations. We often read about how they manage to overcome the odds to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. While one’s physical handicap may limit his scope of participation in some activities, he does not have to be inhibited in his pursuit of other interests if he is prepared to discover his strengths and make full use of them.

It is my belief that everyone is gifted in their own individual ways and have different strengths within ourselves. We must maximise our strengths and gifts to face difficulties and we should all strive to be the best that we can be. I urge everyone of you here to always have courage and to embrace a spirit of constant learning and self-improvement and dare to make a difference in society.

While we are all motivated to build an economically robust nation of Singapore, we must not forget that it is equally (if not more) important to stay in touch with the prevailing social concerns and to be able to feel the "pulse" of the society. We need to encourage our people to be more forthcoming in showing compassion and understanding for the less fortunate. These are values that will make for a gracious society and must be inculcated in and upheld by our younger generation.

One of the ways in which we can promote a greater understanding for the less fortunate is by encouraging greater participation from the community in community service. The CDC must continue to work closely with grassroots organisations, educational institutions and Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) in promoting community bonding.

I am pleased to see that so many of you are here today to support this exhibition. This is only the beginning of a great show that the "Glowing In The Dark" project has in store for you. I urge you all to join us next Sunday on the 16 July 2000 at the Kallang Theatre for a spectacular performance of song, dance and drama by our less fortunate. I assure you that you will be greatly impressed by what you will see.

Once again, I would like to commend the organisers and the students from NTU who have committed their time and resources to helping the less fortunate. We must constantly encourage youth initiative and foster a gracious and compassionate community. I hope to see more people step forward and volunteer their services for such worthy causes.

Before I end, I would like to wish all of you an enjoyable afternoon here at the Exhibition.

Thank you.