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updated 3 Jun 2011, 02:15
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Fri, Jun 03, 2011
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More up for Family Council events
by Cheryl Lim

A PLATFORM to celebrate Singapore as the best place for families and children to live in is becoming increasingly popular.

About 320,000 people attended a series of events under the National Family Celebrations this May, compared to 260,000 participants last year.

The National Family Council (NFC), in partnership with various community agencies and the private sector, organised over 280 events this year.

In October, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said that the increase in the number of participants this year showed that “the notion of the family is still very central to the hearts of many Singaporeans”.

“The National Family Celebrations is one such platform to help create an environment where families are celebrated, supported and strengthened, and through which we can make Singapore the best place for families and children,” he added.

One attraction for the participants to take their families along was the 15,000 free tickets to local attractions, including Duck Tours and the Singapore Flyer.

The campaign next year from May 29 to June 26 will have the theme: “Live, Love And Play, Together”.

The message is inter- generational bonding with grandparents, and cementing strong family ties by participating in recreational activities together.

For the first time, NFC has started a fanpage on social-media engine Facebook to broadcast updates of its events and generate publicity.

NFC is asking for feedback from the public to make next year’s celebrations better.

Co-chairman of the committee Seah Kian Peng, who is also managing director of NTUC FairPrice and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, said: “The idea is to get the community involved, and invite them to come up with suggestions.”

In anticipation of the economy rebounding next year, Mr Seah said: “Crisis bonds families.

As we move out of the crisis, and people may be spending more time at work or going back to work, it’s important to remind people of the importance of spending time with their families.”

The campaign, conceived in 1985, is aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to spend more time on building their families.

NFC has confirmed that both the President and Prime Minister will be guests of honour at the celebrations next year.

FAMILY CELEBRATION MILESTONES

1985: The first National Family Week was conceived to promote the message of family togetherness.

1990: National Family Day saw a grand one-day celebration held in a centralised venue.

1995: 50,000 people participated in National Family Day.

1996: The event, renamed The Fortnight Of Family Fun, involved activities held over two weeks.

1997: The event was shortened to one week and renamed the National Family Week.

2004: The National Family Week’s activities spanned a month, across the June school holidays.

2008: The event was renamed National Family Celebrations. It was attended by 260,000 participants and organised by 150 partners such as Safra and the National Trades Union Congress.

2009: Close to 320,000 people took part in the National Family Celebrations, organised by over 180 partners.

2010: For the event’s 25th anniversary, the celebration committee hopes to reach out to more Singaporeans through socialmedia platforms and to get feedback on what activities they want.

[email protected]

The public can go to www.nfc.sg from now to submit its ideas on desired activitie and events for next year’s National Family Celebrations.

 

 


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