The Singapore Red Cross 55th Anniversary

17 Nov 2004

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: Meritus Mandarin Singapore

Address By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister Of State For Ministry Of Information, Communications And The Arts And Ministry Of Health At The Singapore Red Cross 55th Anniversary On Wednesday, 17 November 2004 At 7.40 Pm At The Meritus Mandarin Singapore

Lt Gen Winston Choo, Retd. Chairman, Singapore Red Cross

Assoc Prof Phua Kai Hong

Chairman, Organising Committee

Singapore Red Cross' 55th Anniversary Dinner

Volunteers and Supporters

A very good evening

I am very honoured to be here to share in your celebration of 55 golden years of service to humanity.

The Red Cross Movement is synonymous with alleviating human suffering and serving mankind. Ever since its founding in 1863, its work and ideals have inspired generations of people from all walks of life to serve the movement as volunteers in alleviating human suffering and serving mankind throughout the world.

Today with its network of 181 National Societies throughout the world, it continues to be relevant and far-reaching in its commitment to serve the less fortunate both in a local context and globally.

I would like to congratulate you for being part of the largest humanitarian organisation of over 100 million volunteers worldwide. Volunteers like all of you play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life of our citizenry and in encouraging greater community bonding.

The social service panacea has certainly changed from 50 years ago. In the past, there was acute need for all kinds of social services in the community, primarily those addressing basic needs such as food, shelter and transportation. Today, we face more complex challenges such as new and emerging health diseases, an increase in people with HIV/AIDS, a growing elderly population, terrorism and security issues, and concerns that are largely associated with the demands and stress of two-career families.

There is, and will increasingly be a greater reliance on volunteers to serve and actively participate in meeting societal needs. I am very impressed by the wide range of services that volunteers of all ages and walks of life are involved in and the diversity of the volunteer force. This is represented by the very young in primary schools, young adults in secondary and tertiary institutions, to adults and senior citizens; all giving their time, expertise and resources to serve the less fortunate, around us and in the rest of the world.

Your dedicated service is the hallmark of a compassionate and caring civil society. Your care and contribution certainly bring smiles to the many beneficiaries that you serve.

I would like to encourage you to spread this "heartware" by encouraging others that you know who are not yet volunteers to sign on to be a Red Cross volunteer. Let your friends and colleagues know about the satisfaction you get out of being a volunteer. Let them know that the act of giving has its own rewards. And, ask them to join you in your activities.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the many volunteers and companies who will be recognised this evening for their dedicated service and contribution towards the humanitarian work of the Red Cross Movement.

I would also like to wish everyone an enjoyable evening and more rewarding years of volunteering.

Thank you.