Singapore will be celebrating families in 2014 in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF). Singaporeans can look forward to numerous engaging family oriented events, activities and even special deals, as MSF works with like-minded partners to celebrate and promote family bonding in joyful and heart-warming ways. This was announced by Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Chan Chun Sing at a community event Lovedate@Orchidville on 1 January 2014, when about 20 couples renewed their marriage vows to usher in the New Year.
Minister Chan said, “The IYF provides a timely occasion for Singaporeans to celebrate our families. MSF, together with our community and business partners, will be organising a slew of family-oriented activities and programmes in 2014. I look forward to Singaporeans’ participation, and hope that each of us will cherish our family moments in our own ways. I also hope that we can extend the joy and warmth of family to a larger extended family - grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins; and even neighbours and friends.
For the first time, there will be a ‘Singapore Celebrate Families’ Float during the Chingay Parade to reflect the simple and intangible joys of being with your family, creating and enjoying precious family moments together. Besides festivities such as Chinese New Year, National Family Celebrations, National Day celebrations and Christmas, there will be a myriad of family activities and social media campaigns throughout the year during occasions such as Valentines’ Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Children’s Day. During Valentine’s Day (14 February 2014), there will be a celebratory atmosphere at the Registry of Marriages (ROM) with song dedications and instant photo booths. Couples getting married on that day will also receive a limited edition gift. These are just some examples of activities to be organised in 2014.
The family activities organised in celebration of IYF 2014 will promote and celebrate the values of ‘love & respect’, ‘commitment’ and ‘big-heartedness’. National Family Council (NFC) Chairman Ching Wei Hong said, “The NFC is excited to be part of the IYF celebrations. In a cosmopolitan society like Singapore, globalisation and technological changes put pressure on our families and family lives. Family bonding and interaction helps strengthen family foundations, and this will definitely help in NFC’s focus to champion strong families in Singapore. The NFC will actively engage families through our activities such as the National Family Celebrations.”
The latest IYF events, activities and family deals will be featured on www.iyf2014.sg and the FamilyMatters! Facebook page. To kick start IYF, Singaporeans can stand to win Chingay tickets for a family of 6, by sharing their special family moments on the FamilyMatters! Facebook page from now till 12 January 2014. Other social media contests in the pipeline include family giveaways and other interactive family online activities.
