ENGAGING A WIDER PUBLIC THROUGH ACCORD

Through suggestions such as educating more women on National Service (NS) issues and reaching out to more pre-enlistees from polytechnics to prepare them for NS, members of the Advisory Council on Community Relations and Defence (ACCORD) have played a significant part in building public acceptance and support for Singapore's security and defence needs.

Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong commended ACCORD for its contributions during a visit to the Changi Command and Control (C2) Centre, with Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and 13 members of the Council, on 7 Sep.

The visitors gained a deeper understanding of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) role in maritime security when they were briefed on the functions of the Multinational Operations and Exercises Centre and Information Fusion Centre at the Changi C2 Centre.

They also toured the RSN Landing Ship Tank RSS Resolution, where they learnt about the warship's capabilities and the Navy's participation in international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden.

Speaking to the media on board RSS Resolution, Mr Wong, who is also Chairman of ACCORD, noted that the Council is an important platform for the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to engage the public.

"Each ACCORD member is a thought and opinion leader in his or her own respective area, be it in the workplace or in grassroots organisations," he said, adding that members of the Council can support outreach efforts by disseminating relevant information on NS and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) "within their own circles of influence".

Moving forward, ACCORD will continue to reach out to a wider public, especially the young people, as "each new generation has different expectations and aspirations", said Mr Wong.

Established in 1984, ACCORD focuses on shaping MINDEF's efforts in generating greater public awareness of, and support for, NS.

It also serves as a channel to provide public feedback on MINDEF's policies and programmes, as its 15 current members comprise representatives from various sectors of society such as community and grassroots organisations, employers, educational institutes, the media, Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and trade unions.

Apart from hosting the visit, Mr Wong chaired the first ACCORD council meeting since taking over his current portfolio in May. During the annual ACCORD appreciation lunch at the SAF Yacht Club, he presented appreciation plaques and appointment certificates to outgoing and new Council members respectively.

Chairman of People's Association's Women's Integration Network, Ms Joanna Portilla, is one of the four members who stepped down from the Council. During her three-year tenure in ACCORD, she had helped more women appreciate the importance of NS in defending the country, by initiating dialogue sessions to address their concerns on NS and organising visits to SAF open houses.

Said Ms Portilla: "It has been an enriching and enlightening experience... When members of the public seek advice from me, I am now better equipped with the knowledge to answer them."

Among the newly-appointed members were Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) (Dr) (NS) Bervyn Lee, Senior Director of Sports Pathways Development of the Singapore Sports Council.

On how he can contribute to ACCORD, (LTC) (Dr) (NS) Lee, who is an Infantry Brigade 2IC in 6th Division, said he hoped to help NSmen better understand what the 3rd Generation SAF transformation was about.

He added: "I feel that the capabilities possessed by the SAF right now are not fully appreciated by all on the ground. An NSman who goes back for In-Camp Training could possibly be experiencing similar training, but that's because his role is in that specific area. He may not fully understand the technologies that are involved in this whole transformation."