As I arrived in Singapore, I was wondering what starting mindset participants would/should bring along. Were we there to see what was wrong and how American perspective and ideas could help Singapore or was Singapore a shining example of innovation that had lessons to teach that we should take home and utilize. Of course, Dr. Rittshof said we had no starting mindset—the trip was experiential. (He knew the answer we brought home was a mixture of the two opposite poles). It became clear to me before I left that the people of Singapore should decide their own goals by their own priorities. Additionally, even without outside permission, they Would decide their own path. Recognizing the positive qualities of Singapore’s citizens—education, work ethic, tolerance for difference in religion and cultural backgrounds, desires for sustainability and self-sufficiency, emerging interest in nature and natural resources, and the simple but profound statement by a representative citizen my first day (“We just live together”)—I believe they are sufficient for the task of deciding their own fate.
Starting with my own perspectives of concern for nature and natural resources and frustration with lack of /insufficient action on global warming issues in my homeland, I want to disagree with the possible destruction of their remaining niches of nature. However, I am heartened by the common citizen’s knowledge and interest in environmental issues.
I am hopeful the new wave of growing interest in the environment will save these niches for future Singaporeans. It is clear that Singapore can preserve nature spots like Sungei Buloh and the Botanical Gardens in ways the US should emulate. It is striking to see the success on Semakau of mangrove restoration and a thriving mudflat teeming with life. Hopefully, areas such as Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin, Mandai mangroves, and the remaining coral reefs can be preserved in such an exemplary way for the growing population of citizens who will seek out nature in the future.
I left Singapore with admiration of the people I met and wish them success with this effort to preserve Singapore’s nature.
(did miss seeing the shorebirds that would have lived in Singapore if habitat had been less disrupted –no shores for the shorebirds)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Flight out of Changi Airport--a new friend
Boarding the plane at Changi Airport to start home, I thought my Singapore experience was completed but was pleasantly surprised to sit alongside a new friend, Lawrence, who helped me put my experience into summary/into perspective as we flew toward Tokyo. Lawrence epitomized the positive tone I met in Singapore—intelligent, thoughtful, well educated, interesting and enjoyable. Describing himself a member of a “new age” group of thought, he embodied many similarities to the other exceptional people I had met in Singapore. He clearly was proud of his country and its accomplishments—even willingly supporting many current specific initiatives (water, recycling, growth)—but all pointing to the same goal of self-sufficiency and sustainability in an island nation with no natural resources except geography and the resourcefulness of its people. However, the “new age” component seemed to reflect a balance in accepting many positive government and societal goals but at the same time being willing to think for ones self—not always agreeing. His perspective rejected the culture of a “herd mentality”—going along non-questioning regarding everything the P.A.P./government proposed—but instead seeing the need to be “self thinking”.
For instance, Lawrence acknowledged the goal of having citizens work extended careers—to and beyond 70—to support government economic goals but his personal goal was to retire at 55—having worked regular 9 hour days or more for 5 and a half days per week with additional non-routine work time. He acknowledged his desire to have a time for himself—“what would I be working for?” if able to retire and enjoy life and time more on his schedule.
The goal of 6 and a half million citizens was mentioned and I had heard that Lee Kwon Yew may have stated that his earlier goal should be lowered. Lawrence felt the number should be higher than 6 and ½ million—maybe 7 and ½. Self thinking didn’t mean like minded with me but certainly a thought out statement.
Lawrence pointed out a recurrent theme once again—that individuals and government could now turn attention to the environment and nature as issues of survival, sustenance, and self-sufficiency were being/had been achieved. He voiced looking forward to having a time and health that would allow him to enjoy nature—i.e. when he reached retirement or a less hectic schedule. I see little nature left in Singapore and less may be there when Lawrence is ready to retire. He had an interesting viewpoint on this as well—since nature must be sacrificed in Singapore to meet the goals of the people, Singapore could find and protect some other area of coral reef or nature in return for what had to be sacrifice—even if out of the country. Lawrence was openly environmentally and socially conscious in his spirit and clearly willing to be inventive. He felt business has a responsibility to care for the environment and for its employees. He was strongly against companies that have highly paid CEOs receiving outrageous buy-outs—saying he refuses to invest in US companies for this reason.
He did say that one negative of life in Singapore is the decreased ability to speak out freely and to be heard. We discussed many areas of life—healthcare, retirement, development and more. Lawrence leaves me wishing our US population were more like him—educated, thoughtful, broad in perspective. I remember reading Thomas Jefferson’s statement that the greatest safeguard of our society and government is an educated citizenry.
The six hours to Tokyo went more quickly than expected—and pleasantly as well.
For instance, Lawrence acknowledged the goal of having citizens work extended careers—to and beyond 70—to support government economic goals but his personal goal was to retire at 55—having worked regular 9 hour days or more for 5 and a half days per week with additional non-routine work time. He acknowledged his desire to have a time for himself—“what would I be working for?” if able to retire and enjoy life and time more on his schedule.
The goal of 6 and a half million citizens was mentioned and I had heard that Lee Kwon Yew may have stated that his earlier goal should be lowered. Lawrence felt the number should be higher than 6 and ½ million—maybe 7 and ½. Self thinking didn’t mean like minded with me but certainly a thought out statement.
Lawrence pointed out a recurrent theme once again—that individuals and government could now turn attention to the environment and nature as issues of survival, sustenance, and self-sufficiency were being/had been achieved. He voiced looking forward to having a time and health that would allow him to enjoy nature—i.e. when he reached retirement or a less hectic schedule. I see little nature left in Singapore and less may be there when Lawrence is ready to retire. He had an interesting viewpoint on this as well—since nature must be sacrificed in Singapore to meet the goals of the people, Singapore could find and protect some other area of coral reef or nature in return for what had to be sacrifice—even if out of the country. Lawrence was openly environmentally and socially conscious in his spirit and clearly willing to be inventive. He felt business has a responsibility to care for the environment and for its employees. He was strongly against companies that have highly paid CEOs receiving outrageous buy-outs—saying he refuses to invest in US companies for this reason.
He did say that one negative of life in Singapore is the decreased ability to speak out freely and to be heard. We discussed many areas of life—healthcare, retirement, development and more. Lawrence leaves me wishing our US population were more like him—educated, thoughtful, broad in perspective. I remember reading Thomas Jefferson’s statement that the greatest safeguard of our society and government is an educated citizenry.
The six hours to Tokyo went more quickly than expected—and pleasantly as well.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Last Day--Botanical Gardens & U.S. Embassy
We Closed out our adventures with a trip to the botanical gardens where we saw a patch of rainforest-likehabitat that is the only rainforest most Singaporeans ever experience. The trees ore representativebut the atmosphere, dripping humidity and diversity of plants and animals is far from the real rainforest we experienced (and we saw the area dedicated to recreation and not the wild, more untouched area of rainforest in Malaysia).
The botanical gardens are apparently present in all the areas of British colonization--one of the first amenities they established and now a legacy they have left behind. The Singapore Bot. Gardens are beautiful and pleasant. Some wildlife freely resides in the large open space--as seen above.
After the gardens , we visited the US Embassy where we received a briefing from Ms. Elizabeth Crosson and Mr. Paul Horowitz presenting the official US view of Singapore--a strong and significant partner with the US. They presented Sg as consistently looking for sustainability and self-sufficiency (which we have observed thru our trip). U. S. investment in Singapore is 60.4 billion compared to 22.2 in China and 91.8 in Japan. Ten million tourists visit yearly staying an average of 2-3 days. When asked what one thing of Singapore he'd want to take home to America, Mr. Horowitz said the running comment/joke is that "we wish we could take the P.A.P. (governing political party in Sg) to Washington"--meaning a non-corrupt group of educated leaders with a long view of needs who take action and get things done. (my interpretation).
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