New course to groom 100 future leaders of S'pore's Chinese community

Task force to identify those with potential, get 20 people to join the course every year

- Chin Soo Fang

Around 100 Chinese community participants in their 30s and 40s will be the beneficiaries of a government-funded initiative to foster the future leadership of the community over the next five years.

They should be active in the Chinese community, demonstrating a passion to serve, to be eligible for the Chinese Community Leadership Course, said Mr Chee Hong Tat, chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG), at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) in Toa Payoh on Aug 20.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his National Day Rally speech delivered in Mandarin on Aug 17 that SFCCA and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) would develop a leadership programme to nurture the next generation of Chinese community leaders, with the Government providing funding support.

SFCCA, which is the apex body of Chinese clan associations with 251 members, noted that the younger generation's interest in Chinese culture and Chinese community groups has declined in recent years.

Clan associations are facing challenges with leadership succession and continuity.