Good morning

I am pleased to note that more than 150 activities and events have been organised in celebration of Senior Citizens’ Week. More than 100 organisations have participated in this year’s programmes including grassroots organisations, self-help groups, voluntary organisations and government agencies. Several commercial organisations like food and beverage outlets have come forward to give concessions to the public as part of the celebration.

Last week, as part of Senior Citizens’ Week, I was honoured to present this year’s "Active Senior Citizen Award" and "Grandparent of the Year Award" to Ms Theresa Hsu and Mr Lim Soo Tsu respectively. Both of them are inspiring examples of active ageing and excellent role models for other seniors as well as the younger generation. They have shown that age is no barrier to remaining useful and contributing to the family, community and the nation.

Today, we are here to honour and pay tribute to a special group of elderly people - grandparents. I have always believed that grandparents are important pillars in the traditional family. Many of us can still remember the sharing we had with our grandparents, as well as their tender care and love. I am happy that others share my views. One nominee for this year’s Senior Citizens’ Award said "My mother has played a significant role in shaping the lives of my children. She has imparted important values to them which are vital in making them responsible and caring citizens as they grow up". Another said "My grandpa, through his actions, had taught me commitment, filial piety and more impressively, fidelity, which he exemplifies in his 61 years of marriage." This goes to show that grandparents can play an important role to strengthen families.

However, grandparents’ roles are understated in our modern society. Most children these days do not stay under the same roof as their grandparents. In many instances, there are language differences. However, grandparents can continue to play a vital role in the lives of their children. They can give love and care to their grandchildren whose parents are busy at work. They can share their experiences as well as traditional values and culture. Children and grandchildren should not take their elderly parents or grandparents for granted. They should instead show more understanding and appreciation of their parents’ or grandparents’ lives, and try to engage them in meaningful activities.

A recent survey by MCDS reveal that more than 90% of respondents felt that it was important to maintain strong intergenerational relationships. About the same proportion of respondents felt that the elderly has valuable life experiences to share with the younger generation.

These findings clearly show that more should be done to provide opportunities for intergenerational bonding especially bonding between the generations, between grandparent and grandchild. On this note, I must say that I have concerns that my children do not know my mother very well as I did not bring them to visit my mother often enough in their earlier years. As a result, they do not view visits with my mother as being very important. When they have children of their own, they may then not see it as their role as parents to help foster bonding between their children and my wife and I. As grandparents, we may feel ourselves to be uninvolved in the lives of our grandchildren. It is worrying if this trend of disassociation between generations continues.

As such, I initiated the celebration of an annual Grandparents’ Day back in 1999 to recognise the contributions of grandparents and to honour them. Grandparents’ Day is designated as the 4^th Sunday of November each year. Last year, the Family Matters! Singapore committee set up a Task Force to promote grandparenting and intergenerational bonding. A funding scheme was set up to incentivise organisations to carry out grandparenting and intergenerational bonding programmes.

Since then, about 60 organisations including schools had submitted proposals to carry out these programmes. A total of 70 proposals had been received covering a wide range of programmes ranging from courses for grandparents, talks and plays on intergenerational issues, essay writing, mentoring programmes, bonding camps and activities for 3-generation families and many more. I am heartened to note that more than 50% of the 70 programmes were received in the last 3 months. To encourage more organisations to carry out innovative grandparenting and intergenerational bonding programmes, my ministry has produced a guidebook which provides tips on how organisations can develop and carry out such programmes and the benefits that can be reaped.

I am pleased to note that several new initiatives will be launched during this event. They include SAGE STAGE, a drama group which will carry out plays on issues pertaining to senior citizens and intergenerational bonding. Issues covered will include the need for senior citizens to be positive, flexible and to move with time. In essence, how to be a happy elderly (in Mandarin : KE AI DE LE’ LIN). SAGE STAGE is sponsored by the MCDS Active Seniors Programme.

Central Singapore CDC and National Library Board will be jointly organising a "Family Tree Album" contest targeted at children aged 9 to 14 years. The children will be encouraged to discuss and interact with their parents and grandparents to gather information about their own family and compile it in a creative story telling family album. This contest is supported by Family Matters! Singapore.

The Traffic Police on the other hand is launching a road safety handbook entitled, Wisdom on the road saves lives" which provides tips on road safety for the elderly. I would encourage family members to share the tips with the elderly at home.

I would like to thank the Grandparents’ Day Carnival Organising Committee headed by the Singapore Action Group Of Elders for their efforts in organising today’s event in recognition of the important role of grandparents. I look forward to everyone’s support to help make Grandparents’ Day a truly special and memorable annual event. In due course, we hope that Grandparents’ Day will be as widely celebrated as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Lastly to all grandparents, I wish you good health and happiness. Enjoy yourself with your family at the Carnival. Thank you.

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