Speech by Minister Masagos Zulkifli at MSF Volunteer & Partner Awards Ceremony on 25 July 2025

Introduction

1. Good evening. I am delighted to be here today at the MSF Volunteer and Partner Awards 2025.

2. The Volunteer and Partner Awards is MSF’s annual celebration dedicated to our volunteers and partners. They have worked alongside us and share our vision to build strong families and resilient individuals.

a. This year, I am pleased to announce that we have 140 award winners.

b. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and boast a host of accomplishments; some are committed, long-time foster parents, while others have provided strong leadership to the councils, executive committees and boards. Among them are also our corporate partners who have stepped forward to contribute their skills and resources, and our social service agencies (SSAs) serving communities on the ground.

3. To all our volunteers and partners, on behalf of my colleagues at MSF, I want to say a big thank you for your service to the families and those in need. Thank you.

Refreshed MSF Volunteer and Partner Awards

4. Ladies and gentlemen, over the years, we have seen the volunteering landscape evolve significantly.

5. Among individuals, there has been a shift from episodic to sustained volunteerism, as well as a move towards skills-based volunteering.

a. This is exemplified by many of you present today, who have selflessly set aside time and energy to share your expertise, and contribute to the causes that you believe in.

6. For our corporate partners, we too have seen shifts towards sustainable philanthropy.

a. Indeed, more are adopting the Sustainable Philanthropy Framework because corporates know they must align their corporate purpose with their social mission.

b. Their staff participate in volunteering programmes with a clear understanding for whom and why they set time to do charity work.

c. Those who adopt the Framework also sustain contributions to a cause over a period of time, and not just once-off.

7. At the same time, our SSAs are also transforming themselves and building up new capabilities.

a. SSAs are investing more to strengthen their digital capabilities, and to better measure the impact of their efforts. This ties well to accountability to their fund contributors, particularly the large ones like corporates and philanthropies.

b. SSAs have also begun to mobilise community resources more, to promptly respond to ground issues and provide upstream support to their clients.

8. To better recognise the impact that our volunteers, SSAs and corporate partners have made, we recently reviewed and refreshed the MSF Volunteer and Partner Awards. 

9. There are four new categories:

a. First, the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises exceptional individuals for their remarkable contributions to MSF’s mission of nurturing resilient individuals, strong families and a caring community, on account of their leadership of a partner or agency, or their individual volunteer efforts for at least 20 years. 

b. Second, the Outstanding Partner Award, which recognises impactful partner organisations.

c. Third, the Outstanding Agency Award, which recognises exemplary SSAs that demonstrated impact and organisational excellence.

d. Fourth, the Lifetime Service Award – our pinnacle Long Service Award – which recognises outstanding volunteers who have served with MSF for at least 25 years.

10. Allow me to take this opportunity to spotlight some of our award recipients from these new award categories. 

11. First, our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is none other than Ms Anita Fam.

a. I am sure many of you are familiar with Anita’s remarkable legacy and transformative contributions to our sector. If I were to read from the time she started till now, we won’t have dinner – so I will try to be brief.

b. Anita’s volunteering journey began in 1994 when she served as a legal advisor on AWWA’s Board. During her nearly 20-year tenure with AWWA, she held multiple leadership positions, including Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee, Chairperson of AWWA's Teach Me Integration Services Resource Panel, and Vice-President of the Board.

c. Beyond AWWA, Anita demonstrated exceptional stewardship in the social service sector through her various leadership and advisory roles in disability services, palliative care, healthcare, and mental health. Her 17-year tenure at Assisi Hospice was particularly noteworthy, where she spearheaded various initiatives to enhance the accessibility and affordability of palliative care in Singapore. 

d. As Board member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) since 2006 and as its President over the last seven years, Anita has shepherded transformational changes in the sector. This includes:

i. the first and refreshed Social Service Sector Strategic Roadmap (4ST) that sets out the vision and goals for the sector;

ii. the Beyond COVID-19 Taskforce and The Invictus Fund to guide the development of key initiatives and support SSAs through the pandemic; and more recently

iii. the Community Capability Trust that aims to resource the sector with $480 million over 10 years to strengthen SSAs’ organisational capabilities. 

e. Under Anita's visionary leadership, NCSS’s role has evolved into that of a sector developer, which will be reflected in upcoming amendments that we will propose to the NCSS Act. I am confident that with Anita at the helm, NCSS will continue to guide our social service sector to achieve more positive outcomes.  

f. So thank you, Anita, for your unwavering dedication to the sector.

12. I would also like to extend my appreciation to three SSAs that have made significant impact in their respective areas of work.

a. First, Samaritans of Singapore – an active contributor to various national committees and ground-up initiatives, as we all know, they have a focus on the development of suicide prevention strategies.

b. Second, Fei Yue Community Services. They have impacted more than 80,000 clients, ranging from families in need to seniors living alone, in the past few decades.

c. Third, Rainbow Centre. Rainbow Centre proactively creates opportunities for persons with disabilities to be better integrated in the community through initiatives, such as befriending programmes. 

13. Tonight, we also celebrate our corporate partners. I’d like to mention DBS and SP Group.

a. DBS has been our dedicated partner since 2022. As our anchor partner of ComLink+, DBS has committed over $30 million in support of our ComLink+ Progress Packages for Preschool and Home Ownership, and mobilised over 200 staff volunteers.

b. SP Group has been a steadfast supporter of our KidSTART programme since 2019. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, SP Group donated $3.1 million to KidSTART, Beyond sponsorships, they have also clocked in more than 1,900 volunteering hours in support of KidSTART.

c. Thank you, DBS and SP Group.

14. Last, but certainly not the least, our efforts can only take flight with passionate and committed individuals who have served with MSF over the years.

a. One example is Ms Irene Chua Hui Hiang. Over the past 26 years, Irene has been a dedicated Volunteer Probation Officer, who actively supports youth probationers in their rehabilitation journey.

b. Irene has consistently stepped up to take on cases and is quick to liaise with staff on follow ups. Her enthusiasm not only reflects her dedication, but also engenders trust amongst staff and fellow volunteers.

Making the Volunteering Journey more Meaningful for MSF Volunteers

15. We are touched by the passion and commitment of our volunteers and partners. 

a. Since the integration of our volunteering programmes under the MSFCare network in 2022, we now have more than 3,000 active volunteers working alongside MSF across four thematic areas – (i) Children and Youth, (ii) Adults, (iii) Families, and (iv) Persons with Disabilities.

b. Many have expressed their desire to contribute in more ways.

16. Therefore, in line with this, MSF will pivot towards integrating more volunteers into the heart of programme design and service delivery and provide more opportunities for volunteers to be involved in our volunteer engagement efforts.

a. Volunteers can therefore look forward to redesigned roles in areas such as volunteer engagement, service delivery and operations.

b. And let me share two examples.

i. First, we have begun integrating our volunteers in the co-delivery of our annual MSFCare network volunteer networking session, in keeping to the spirit of ‘by our volunteers, for our volunteers’. At our most recent session, 23 volunteers, leaned forward to partner MSF as speakers, facilitators and ambassadors.

ii. Second, the Families for Life (FFL) movement has also established a dedicated network of more than 50 volunteer leaders, who play key roles in co-creating initiatives to strengthen family bonds and mobilise other FFL volunteers to champion family values. 

17. In response to feedback for more learning and development opportunities, we will also curate training opportunities for MSF volunteers.

a. MSF will roll out a foundational training programme for new volunteers. This programme welcomes new volunteers into the MSF family and equip them for their respective volunteering roles. 

b. We completed two pilots of this foundational training programme with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and received positive feedback. Prospective volunteers can look forward to the training programme later this year.

18. We also recognise that it is important to our volunteers to see the full impact of their contributions.

a. As such, we will introduce our inaugural yearly Impact Score Card.

b. This score card gives a yearly snapshot of our volunteers’ contributions. 

c. In 2024 alone, we have impacted more than 15,000 beneficiaries, involved more than 3,000 active volunteers and achieved $11 million in sponsorships. It is only with your partnership, that we can achieve this together. 

19. Volunteers and partners are the backbone of what we do in MSF. I hope all of you will continue your volunteering journey with us and encourage others to join the MSFCare network.

Conclusion – Building a Nation of Volunteers

20. Let me now conclude.

21. This year, we celebrate SG60. As a country and as a sector, we have come a long way. Looking ahead, PM Lawrence Wong has affirmed that we will continue to strengthen Singapore’s social compact. This includes enhancing our social support systems to ensure that Singaporeans can thrive and flourish at every life stage, on their own terms.

22. Every one of us, as individuals, organisations and communities can make a difference. Volunteers and partners, like yourselves, complement our efforts by contributing your time, talent and treasures.

23. I would like to end by echoing a call for action by one of our founding fathers, Mr S Rajaratnam. Many years ago, he advocated for Singapore to become a “democracy of deeds” – one made up of active citizens who are focused on solving problems and developing solutions for a better Singapore. Let’s continue to build such a nation. 

24. Once again, I would like to congratulate all our award recipients.

25. Thank you, and have an enjoyable evening ahead.