Seet Sok Hwee, Alice Chia Channel NewsAsia 30 Oct 12;
SINGAPORE: Community engagement is the focus of Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) 2013, which kicks off November 3.
The public can participate in numerous activities, ranging from recycling craft workshops to environmental fashion shows.
New programmes include a hackathon, where programmers and developers brainstorm ideas to build and launch applications that will help the public adopt eco-friendly practices; and OpenIDEO Challenge, which is an online platform to bring the community together to discuss environmental issues.
There are also more opportunities for individuals to volunteer through various programmes with partners such as the Public Hygiene Council, Keep Singapore Beautiful Movement and Singapore Kindness Movement.
In one of the main campaign activities - a two-day carnival - some 600 volunteers from schools, grassroots organisations and non-governmental organisations are contributing to the preparation and running of the event.
About 90 per cent of the activities will be carried out by volunteers.
The carnival on November 3 at Gardens by the Bay will boast live music performances, exhibitions and workshops to promote green practices.
It also brings together residents from the five districts of Singapore (Central, South West, North West, North East and South East) to showcase their ground-up programmes and community projects from agencies and key non-governmental organisations.
The event is co-organised by NEA, Central Singapore Community Development Council, PUB and National Parks.
NEA is also giving out more awards from November 3 onwards to recognise and commend the efforts of individuals and community groups in areas such as cleanliness and energy-efficiency.
The agency hopes this will encourage more members of the public to go green.
- CNA/fa
