Daily Lessons from Life 23 September 2012 - Tan Chuan-Jin urges S'poreans to keep "open mind"

"Tan Chuan-Jin urges S'poreans to keep "open mind" - CNA 23 September 2012

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin has urged Singaporeans to keep an open mind as the country engages in a national conversation about its future.

Posting on the Our SG Conversation Facebook page, Mr Tan, who is also part of the committee facilitating the conversation, noted the different reactions among Singaporeans over the process.

He said some are dismayed that certain topics have not been surfaced. Some felt that there are obvious issues to grapple with and that Singapore should not waste time with this process, while others said they have gone through such an exercise before.

Mr Tan said if such comments were scoped, then "the criticism would be about not coming in, with an open mind."

He pointed out that some Singaporeans may have taken part in previous reviews but many others have not. He called on citizens to respect the space of those who have not been engaged, and to let this group "discuss and speak".

On slaying sacred cows, Mr Tan said it is also about keeping an open mind. If and when the cows come up for slaughter, Mr Tan said the government will do the necessary - if it makes sense.

Mr Tan added there will be areas where Singaporeans cannot agree on. But even with the disagreements, he said the way Singaporeans approach it will define society."

He is an up and coming heavy weight minister material as touted by the ruling party, PAP. I liked his GE speeches in 2012 - balance and well presented. Let's hope he lives up to that.

Lessons for me are:

1. the National Conversation Committee did not include the opposition parties members. That makes its claim of being inclusive a bit strenuous. Of course, one can understand that argument that why should the ruling party invites the opposition parties members if only it is called a PAP-initiated National Conversation. Anyway, it has to bear with this cross for some people;

2. being open-minded has to be a two-way thingy in any meaningful conversation where the involved parties listen to each other, ask questions to clarify and understand instead of 'attacking', and provide feedback/share rationale for this or that proposal to promote understanding instead of being 'defensive'. Nothing will be decided at this stage of the 'brainstorming' session - the stage of collecting ideas on 'what type of Singapore do Singaporeans want in 20-30 years time?'. The selection part will come later where the National Conversation Committee will have to choose which are the ideas/ideals Singapore want to be in 20-30 years time!;

3. I have been to 2 such sessions and contributed in writing once on this topic. Some folks are NOT really thinking about WHAT they want Singapore to be in 20-30 years time but instead are focusing on the usual 'I have this complaint and can one of you ministers help me to resolve it' approach. The quality of some of the input left much to be desired. Yet, the process has to run its course. Hopefully when the 'convergent stage of selection the top 10 ideas of what Singaporeans want Singapore to be in 20-30 years time', some real meaningful long term impact topics will emerge. Then the nation can focus on HOW to achieve them!!

Keep the faith with the opposition parties members starting their National Conversation as well...