People's Association
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The People's Association (Abbreviation: PA; Chinese: 人民协会) is a statutory board of the Government of Singapore under the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, with the primary aim of building social cohesion and to foster interactions and bonds between itself and society at large. This is done by tapping on traditional notions of "community leaders" and the assistance of community volunteers to form a network of organisations and physical facilities to provide venues for interactions and as accessible sources for community services.
[edit] History
To counter racial and political tensions in Singapore during the 1950s and 1960s, and foster closer ties among different ethnic groups, the Government established the PA through an act of Parliament. The PA, a statutory board, came into being on 1 July 1960, to promote active citizenry, racial harmony, social cohesion and people-to-government connectivity. It does so by creating common space; bringing people of different ethnic origins and from all walks of life together, to interact, make friends, help one another and to participate in social, cultural, educational, recreational, sporting and charitable activities and in doing so strengthen community spirit and resilience. Starting with 28 community centres, the PA today has over 1,800 grassroots organisations (GROs) with more than 25,000 volunteer grassroots leaders. The GROs include Citizens’ Consultative Committees, Community Club Management Committees, Residents’ Committees in public housing estates and Neighbourhood Committees in private housing estates.
By statute, the Prime Minister serves as Chairman of the PA Board of Management and appoints a Deputy Chairman who is typically a senior member of Cabinet. The PA also operates Outward Bound Singapore, the National Community Leadership Institute, the National Youth Council and the Social Development Service, and a number of water sports clubs.
Citizens’ Consultative Committees (CCCs). The CCC is the apex grassroots organization in a constituency. In the face of serious political, social, economic and racial riots Singapore faced in the early 1960s, the Government established the CCCs in 1965 to foster national consensus and to maintain racial harmony.
The CCC is responsible for planning and leading grassroots activities. It also oversees the welfare of the needy, and serves as a channel for communication between the people and the Government. The CCC identifies and recommends the development of public amenities and facilities.
Community Clubs (CCs). When self-government was attained in 1959, many Singaporeans were faced with poor employment prospects and had little opportunity for skills training. Recreational, social and sports facilities were few and far in between.
The PA converted former food distribution centres set up by the British Administration into community centres. These centres were venues for residents of all walks of life to get together to learn a skill, engage in social and leisure activities, and forge a sense of community.
Over the years, with economic progress, the CCs have evolved into clubs offering a wide range of courses, activities, programmes and facilities to match the changing needs of residents. Even as the exterior façade changes, the CCs remain a common space for residents of all backgrounds to come together, interact and strengthen social cohesion and racial harmony.
Residents’ Committees (RCs). RCs were formed in 1978 to promote neighbourliness and harmony in public housing estates. RCs also serve as channels of communication between residents and the government. RCs, like the CCCs, initially came under the Prime Minister’s Office, and later, the Ministry of Community Development. In 1993, RCs and CCCs came under the purview of the PA. Currently, there are over 550 RCs. Each RC is has an RC Centre to conduct meetings and programmes and activities for residents. RCs organise residents’ parties, conduct house visits and other neighbourhood activities to reach out to residents. They also work closely with the government agencies to improve the living environment, safety and security of their estates.
Community Development Councils. First established in 1997, the Community Development Councils (CDCs) were formed to help build a more cohesive, compassionate and self-reliant society. Initially, the CDCs offered local programmes to meet the needs of the residents in their Districts. From 2001, the delivery of social services, including the development of childcare, student care and family care centres was devolved from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to the CDCs. As CDCs are closer to the ground, they are better able than government ministries to promptly address the needs of residents. The CDCs also play an important role in mobilising the community to help needy residents, including giving them interim financial assistance and helping them find jobs.
Each of the current five CDCs - Central Singapore, North East, North West, South East and South West- is headed by a Mayor who is assisted by a Council comprising up to 80 Council Members. Unlike other countries, Mayors in Singapore are not directly elected because the CDCs are not a system of local government. The CDCs are local administrators of community and social services.
[edit] Institutions and facilities
The PA achieves its mission through our network of 1,800 grassroots organisations (including 84 Citizens' Consultative Committees, 104 Community Centres/Clubs, over 500 Residents' Committees and Neighbourhood Committees), five Community Development Councils, the National Youth Council, National Community Leadership Institute, Outward Bound Singapore and the Social Development Service.
