NDP 2009 Concept
NDP 09: Come Together – Reaching Out, Reaching Up
Our National Day serves as a reminder and a celebration of our nation’s history and achievements, and it also looks forward to our future. Although our independence was attained amidst turbulent times, we have defied the odds and not only have we survived, but we have thrived. We should be rightfully proud of our independence and our way of life. We should not take it for granted. As we are facing challenging times, it is perhaps even more significant that we rally round and reach out to our fellow Singaporeans. And we should be confident that we can and will continue to reach up to our hopes and aspirations.
We know that while the National Day Parade (NDP) remains the central event, we would like to take the opportunity to not just focus on an exciting and meaningful NDP, but to encourage Singaporeans to reflect on our nationhood - what does it mean to be Singapore…what does it mean to be a Singaporean? We have several symbols of our nationhood – our Flag, our Pledge and our Anthem. Our Pledge will be used as a basis for this reflection so that when we recite it, we will mean what we say, and say what we mean. Elements of our Pledge will not only guide our various celebration activities, it will be used to structure our NDP 09 show, and it forms the basis for our theme this year. We will be broadening our National Day celebrations in order to bring together more Singaporeans. We will explore ways to enable as many Singaporeans as possible to participate in different ways, to feel a greater sense of ownership and to play a part on our National Day journey together.
Our theme for NDP 09, “Come Together – Reaching Out, Reaching Up” draws inspiration from our Pledge. It is about our coming together as ‘one united people’, to Reach Out to all Singaporeans regardless of ‘race, language or religion’, and to Reach Up towards our hopes and aspirations articulated when we pledge to ‘achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.’ When times are tough, we know that Singaporeans will rally together, support each other and believe that things will work out fine.
One of the areas of focus this year includes raising awareness for less privileged Singaporeans, and to work with charity organisations and other interested agencies to Reach Out and help the various groups. It is not an easy time for charities and these groups and we will like to do our part for these Singaporeans who remain very much part of our society. While we are aiming to help raise funds for these groups, we are also seeking ways by which they can directly contribute to the NDP itself. For example, the various groups will be helping to pack the NDP fun-packs and will personalise them with their greetings and names. We will like for Singaporeans not to take the fun-pack for granted and to realise that some Singaporeans took time and effort to assemble the pack for them.
We will also be exploring New Media as an avenue to involve more Singaporeans. Apart from the NDP 09 website, new media platforms like Facebook and Twitter will host NDP-related activities as well as to recognise the contributions of Singaporeans such as the participants and those who take part in our other celebrations. Where we can, we want to recognise the individuals and their role on our NDP journey. We are seeking to have as many people join us in celebrating our National Day and at the same time reflect on the greater purpose of this meaningful event.
This year’s NDP 09 format will see a ‘one show’ concept where the Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment will interweave into the Show segment. There will be a seamless ten-Chapter performance that will reflect the ideas from Our Pledge. We will also bring in an exciting Total Defence Display where we will put on a synchronised display incorporating our hardware from the SAF and the Home Team to commemorate 25 years of Total Defence. Singaporeans will also see a night ceremonial parade accompanied by a Presidential Gun Salute executed in a way not seen before. Perennial crowd favourites like the Red Lions will be retained. There will be a greater emphasis on audience engagement this year, not only with spectators at the seating gallery but also with Singaporeans at various congregation points around the Bay. Ultimately, we hope to engage as many Singaporeans in our National Day celebrations.
As we examine and reflect upon the Pledge through various platforms and activities in the run-up to National Day 2009, we believe that it will all Come Together in a defining experience when, towards the end of the NDP on 9 August 09, our entire Nation recites the Pledge as one united people.
We believe that there is much to be proud of when we celebrate our nation’s independence. We hope that National Day 2009 will present us all with an opportunity to Come Together as one people, to Reach Out and support our fellow Singaporeans, and to continue to Reach Up towards our beliefs and aspirations.