DEFENCE COUNCIL PROPOSES 18 INITIATIVES TO BOOST SUPPORT FOR NS AND TOTAL DEFENCE

The Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) has submitted 18 proposals to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to boost support and recognition for National Service (NS).

ACCORD was restructured last August into three councils - the Employers and Business Council, the Family and Community Council and the Educational Institutions Council - to enhance engagement and support for NS and Total Defence.

The proposals reach out to all levels of the community. They include measures to provide needy Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) with financial assistance beyond the two-year NS period; smoothen NSFs' transition into the workforce by jointly organising career fairs with the business community; and raise awareness of NS in foreign-system educational institutions such as international schools.

There are also initiatives targeted at easing manpower arrangements in the business community. For example, employers and business owners will receive early notification when their employees are due for In-Camp Training so that they can better plan their staffing needs.

Families and the wider community can look forward to programmes that will raise awareness of NS and defence. One of the recommendations calls for MINDEF to work with the People's Association to reach out to Permanent Residents and New Citizens to raise awareness and understanding of NS and Total Defence.

The initiatives also call for greater outreach to educational institutions. For example, students can look forward to a Total Defence experience if MINDEF accepts the proposal to partner the Ministry of Education and the Singapore Discovery Centre to produce a cohort experience for all primary six students.

ACCORD is chaired by Second Minster for Defence Chan Chun Sing, and supported by Deputy Chairman Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.

Commenting on the progress made by the three ACCORD councils in engaging key stakeholders, Mr Chan said: "I am heartened by the strong societal support for national defence and NS."

He added: "The committee members have done a good job in engaging their respective communities, and the proposals reflect the effort and commitment of the ACCORD members."

For the full list of proposals, visit /imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2015/feb/25feb15_nr/25feb15_fs.html