Debated in Parliament on 12 Feb 2019.
Ms Anthea Ong asked the Prime Minister (a) whether the Smart Nation narrative includes a Smart Giving Nation narrative as part of our aspiration to be a caring, inclusive and resilient society; and (b) if so, how has the Smart Nation blueprint and architecture been planned to support the vulnerable groups as well as to integrate with social sector agencies and giving platforms.
Our Smart Nation narrative and the framework for implementation have three broad equally important thrusts: Digital Economy, Digital Government and Digital Readiness. Digital Readiness includes our strategies to help citizens, businesses, community groups and the Government use technology in an inclusive way to build a caring and resilient society.
We want all Singaporeans, regardless of age or ability, to be enabled by digital technology to pursue their dreams and aspirations. This means that everyone should have the digital access, literacy and confidence to participate in Smart Nation. The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) has worked with our community partners to drive readiness programmes at our libraries and community centres. Building a caring, inclusive and resilient society is a whole-of-Nation effort, and our Smart Nation initiatives seek to enable this with technology.
Technology allows better partnerships to serve our vulnerable communities. For example, the Ministry of Social and Family Development is looking into using digital platforms to work more closely across the social sector agencies, including voluntary welfare organisations. This allows agencies to have a comprehensive understanding of families in need, and coordinate support to get families back on their feet. The Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth's Volunteer.sg and SG Cares app will help volunteers in both public agencies and non-profit organisations to be more engaged and more effective. Platforms, such as the Agency for Integrated Care's Dementia Friends and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's MyResponder, allow individuals in need to receive help from the community in real-time.
MCI's Digital Readiness efforts encourage and educate organisations to design for digital inclusion. The Government itself subjects our digital services to regular usability checks. We involve diverse users in the design process.
The Smart Nation and Digital Government Group, together with social sector agencies and officers across the public sector, are keen to partner community groups and volunteer organisations so that, together, we can better serve all Singaporeans using digital technology.
PAPERCUTS