UNICEF has released The State of the World’s Children 2012 report. As the world becomes increasingly urbanised, the report calls for more to be done for children who might be left behind. [Related news][Full report & relevant materials]
Budget 2012 aims to build a more inclusive society and stronger Singapore. [Related news]
Download the full Budget 2012 here.
The Vision 2030 Committee has released its preliminary recommendations, categorised under Opportunities, Access and Capabilities, on how sport can be a key strategy to serve Singapore.
MOE is working out a physical education syllabus that should equip students for life-long sports participation. [Related articles: A vision for sports | Now to sell S'pore this sports vision]
Public feedback is invited to refine these recommendations until 15 May.
US Scientists have replicated genetic Parkinson’s disease brain cells to help them study mutations in the parkin gene that cause the disease.
The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) commissioned a survey in the fourth quarter in 2011 to gauge current levels of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours towards climate change-related issues in Singapore. Generally Singaporeans are found to be supportive of climate change actions.
The compiled findings are located here.
What are some benefits of informal assessment? Why do you think formal assessment is still highly valued?
About 90% of residents in Woodlands Street 83 have petitioned against the proposed construction of 570 square-metre elder care centre at the void decks of Blocks 860 and 861. These residents are worried about the potential devaluation of their property and loss of communal space, although residents staying around eldercare centres located at Block 123 in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 and at Kim Keat Avenue felt differently.
In another incident, about 230 residents in Toh Yi Drive are seeking to stop the construction of studio apartments for senior citizens near their homes. They are also mainly anxious over losing their communal space.
Singapore is a small island state but are we so tight for space that we can no longer accommodate our senior citizens living near us?
3D printing was first invented in 1984 and had initially been used to make scale models, product prototypes and mould masters.
Over the years, finished products have expanded to include plastic bottles, toys, jewellery, coffee makers and even the ear mold and shell of hearing aids.
Medical researchers have also ventured to produce bone-like material and more recently, a 83-year-old woman’s jaw was replaced with a 3D printed one. Benefits of using a 3D printed prosthetic, as compared to the traditional reconstructive surgery, could include less risk, shorter surgical and recovery time and possibly lower cost as the technology matures.
The Arts & Culture Strategic Review (ACSR) was submitted to the Singapore Government on 31 Jan 2012. Several recommendations were made to achieve the vision “for Singapore to be a nation of cultured and gracious people, at home with our heritage, and proud of our Singaporean identity” by the year 2025.
The full final ACSR report is located here.
The Singapore Cultural Statistics for 2011 is located here.
Singapore has less than a decade to prepare for a more rapidly ageing population.
What measures are being proposed or studied to cope with this situation? To what extent will they be sufficient?
