On June 10, 2017, in celebration of SSA’s 50th anniversary, SSA held the Community Partners Appreciation Night at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC.A total of close to 200 community partners and pioneering senior leaders who had at least 43 years of faith attended the dinner event.Among the guests include:
- Mr Desmond Tan, Chief Executive Director of People’s Association;
- Professor Wang Gungwu, Chairman of East Asian Institute;
- Lieutenant-General Perry Lim, Chief of Defence Force;
- Ervad Rustom Ghadiali, President of Inter-Religious Organisation Singapore (IRO);
- Dr Kirpal Singh, Director of Wee Kim Wee Centre, Singapore Management University; and
- Mr David Tay, former President of The Photographic Society of Singapore.
In his speech, Minister Heng commended SSA for the value that the organisation has created in the past 50 years and appreciate SGS’s strong focus on grooming a passion for value creation in our younger generation.Minister Heng also shared his thoughts about the dialogues that Dr Ikeda had during his meeting with our late Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1988 and our late President Mr S R Nathan in 2000.
After Minister’s speech, SSA General Director Mr. Tay Eng Kiat, Chairman Mr. Michael Yap, and Women Division Leader Mdm. Sek Soon Heng extend their heartfelt appreciation to Minister by presenting a special Memento.Two close friends of SSA, Dr Kirpal Singh, Director of Wee Kim Wee Centre, SMU and Mr Desmond Tan, Chief Executive Director of People’s Association, shared their greetings to SSA.In his speech, Dr Kirpal Singh shared that he was impressed by the values that SSA cherishes, advocates and uses to inspire so many people. He mentioned about the two annual events, “Wee Kim Wee-Soka International Seminar on Global Peace and Understanding” as well as “Annual Ikeda Peace and Harmony Lecture” that SSA and SMU co-organised and that SMU is looking forward to more partnership with SSA.Mr Desmond Tan spoke of his first encounter with SSA in 2004 when he was the chairman of the Show Support Committee for National Day Parade. He was impressed with how well organised and discipline SSA participants were. On behalf of PA, he thanked SSA for her continual support, not just for her participation in Chingay Parade since 1981, but her dedication and significant contribution to her community that she serves for the last 50 years, promoting peace, culture and education.33 commendation awards were presented to SSA’s Community Partner Organisations in appreciation of their friendship and understanding, which has contributed to the progress and accomplishment of SSA. Some of the organisations that received the award included People’s Association, National Day Celebrations Committee, Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society, Dance Ensemble Singapore, Inter-Religious Organisation (Singapore), Ba’alwie Mosque Singapore, Singapore Management University, Tampines West Community Club and more.At the dinner, there were cultural performances jointly put up by guest performing groups and SSA groups.
The Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES) and the SSA Peony Group, mesmerised the audience with a beautiful Chinese dance entitled “Beauty of Traditions”.The other item was a youthful and energetic dance by People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM) and Soka Youth Dance Crew (SYDC) that portrays the power and passion of youth. The Soka Chorus and the Soka Junior Choir also brought cheer to the audience with a few songs in different languages.With the popping of confetti and joyous sing-along to the song ‘Home’ and ‘Friends’, the event ended with joy, great cheer and excitement as SSA looks forward to writing the history of the next 50 years together with our cherished friends and partners.
