2021 has seen Singapore making a major transition towards living with Covid-19 and embracing an endemic world. With a positive mindset, Temasek Trust has been navigating through the uncertainties and adapting to the challenges of the ‘new normal’.
Temasek Shophouse (TSH) has cautiously re-opened to the public offering a community space for ground-up initiatives that serve the needs of our community. While digitalisation has gained much traction since the pandemic hit, we miss the warmth of face-to-face interaction and human connection. Abiding by Covid-19 rules and restrictions, TSH hosted a few on-site activities in the past year promoting awareness on fashion waste and fashion upcycle, mental well-being as well as supporting youths to design solutions to sustainability issues. We look forward to more physical events in the coming year as we transit to endemic living.
Our new collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) SDG Impact launched in May 2021 aims to mobilise more private capital to generate positive social and sustainability outcomes in the ASEAN region through promoting awareness, adoption, and application of SDG Impact tools. We hope that this collaboration could form the basis for further engagement between the various parties in the region as sustained efforts are required to change behaviours, drive the adoption of the SDG Impact tools, and ultimately catalyse sufficient investment to achieve the SDGs and secure the long-term well-being of the communities in the region.
We are also pleased to share that the inaugural Philanthropy Asia Summit themed ‘Advancing Human Security and Community Resilience’ was launched on 15 November 2021 in Singapore. Organised by Temasek Foundation and supported by many partners, the Summit serves as a collaborative platform to convene and connect global and regional philanthropists to catalyse partnerships. Through supporting pathfinders and thought-leaders in philanthropy, we hope to shape a collaborative framework for philanthropy in the region and beyond, and collectively address societal challenges in achieving greater impact and common good.
The oscar@sg fund, which was launched last year to assist communities impacted by the pandemic, has supported more than 260 projects covering a wide range of causes. We remain humbled for being able to support communities that have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. We are also heartened to see that the pandemic has unveiled and heightened the community spirit among Singaporeans. It is our hope that through supporting the ground-up organisations and initiatives, this kindred spirit and momentum of community support could be sustained in Singapore even beyond the pandemic years.
Our journey to endemic living will be a long and unpredictable one. Everyone has to keep positive, press on, and continue to support one another in this journey.
