The “Garden City” campaign began in 1963. In November 1971, efforts to beautify Singapore resulted in the first “Tree Planting Day.”

Our Founding Fathers built a national determination to include green lungs as part of the cityscape. Despite the demands of a burgeoning population and industrial development on a small island, this determination led to the devotion of a notable portion of land to parks and nature reserves. Despite an increase in the population by 68 per cent - from 2.7 million to 4.6 million between 1986 and 2007 - the area covered by greenery on the island grew from 35 to 46 per cent¹.

The climate crisis, water security, global warming, the search for new ways to use the little land we have, and a host of new and old challenges await us.

It’s your turn to address our future challenges before our very existence is threatened.

¹ Straits Times Jul 9, 2015

Heeding the words of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Othman Wok (1924-2017) decided to play a part in the building of Singapore because he believed in the necessity and future of a multi-racial, multi-religious nation.

His conviction and vision brought comfort to an uncertain and potentially divided nation during Singapore’s independence in 1965. The vision to build a multi-racial home has been an important part of our sustainable development on the world’s stage.

Unity, community-spirit, inclusiveness and conviction of our young people - beyond technology and interconnected roads – build a sustainable and resilient Singapore.

What can destroy us from within? Are we a threat to ourselves? Can we preserve our values one generation after another?

'You cannot just, like Kuan Yew says, go on auto-pilot...Our future generations must continue to build on things. Do not lose focus on sensitive issues such as race, language and religion.'

- Mr Othman Wok (1924-2017), pioneer and recipient of the Order of Nila Utama.