Singapore Kindness Movement 2012
Submitted by Tina on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 11:34.
The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) is a campaign to create public awareness of acts of kindness in, you guessed it, Singapore. I've been an admirer of the SKM for some time, and as a graphic designer, quite fond of their logo too! The heart behind mascot, Singa the lion, consist of two strokes that depict two people — the giver and receiver of kindness. The contemporary typeface with the smiling "e" is often surrounded by smiling daisies. I'm a sucker for cartoon mascots and smiling daisies!
The movement was initiated by the Prime Minister in 1996 in his New Year Message highlighting the need for kindness in the 21st century. I wanted to send the SKM a shout-out today and comment on the poignancy of a letter to The Online Citizen by Dr William Wan, General Secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement I read last November. Dr. Wan states that in order for a movement to succeed, it must be owned by the people. It works from the bottom (the people) up, not the top (government) down. I applaud every grassroots effort for positive social change because this is where change begins, with the common people. It can't be forced or regulated.
Kinder people ultimately breed happiness within the community, and the SKM reminds us that every little act of kindness matters. Today is the first day of 2012, let's join in the spirit of SKM's efforts and approach the new year with kindness in our own communities.
