The Singapore Public Service and National Development

ideas and energy that lie beyond the public service. By tapping on the collective
wisdom and creativity of individuals, NGOs and companies, we can better tackle the
challenges and seize the opportunities in a more complex and volatile environment.
11. A good example is NParks’ Communities in Bloom social initiative that
encourages communities to come together to beautify their surroundings. NParks
provides advice and some basic gardening materials to help residents start their
community gardens. Thereafter, the residents organise themselves to keep their
gardens going, developing a community spirit that binds residents together. In taking
on the role of facilitator and encouraging the public to work with each other, the
public sector helps to build social capital and makes Singapore more socially
resilient.
Virtuous Cycles
12. When the UNDP commissioned Dr Saxena to write a book on Singapore’s
Public Sector Governance in 2009, with the idea that it could yield insights of value
to other public administrations around the world, we were honoured to be able to
share the Singapore experience. Dr Saxena has done a good job highlighting the
development and best practices of the Singapore Public Service and the insights
that may be gleaned from our development experience. At the same time, this
outside-in look at the Singapore public sector also provides us with some pointers
on areas where we can do better. Like Singapore, every country has its own unique
challenges and constraints, and we need to constantly review what good
governance means, and to reflect on how the public sector can work more
effectively to build a strong society and thriving economy.
13. I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who was involved in this
project: the UNDP for its vision and guidance in seeing this work to fruition, Dr
Saxena’s diligent research, as well as the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
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