Community engagement helps individuals build ongoing, permanent relationships through a mutual vision for the benefit of a community.
Community Engagement Programme (CEP) brings people together from different communities in Singapore to work with each other to develop understanding and to prevent and minimise racial and religious tensions in our society after a crisis, such as a terrorist incident.
"Community engagement encourages residents in the neighborhood to work together and look out for each other. By having community engagement programmes, residents are able to build good relationships by participating in CEP. After knowing more about each other, it will minimise the racial and religious tensions.
Case studies:
Thomson-Toa Payoh
Emergency Preparedness (EP) Cup 2011
More than 200 people, including residents, grassroots leaders, teachers and students from Peirce Secondary School and Marymount Convent, participated in the Thomson-Toa Payoh EP Cup 2011 at Toa Payoh West Community Club in 2011. Supported by SCDF, SPF, NEA, LTA, the Town Council and HDB, the programme comprised 3 learning journeys namely the EP Journey, Community Awareness (CA) Journey and IRCC Journey.
For the EP Journey, participants were exposed to scenarios which tested their emergency preparedness knowledge and readiness. The CA Journey gave participants an opportunity to learn about welfare services from various agencies and how they could seek help. The IRCC Journey tested participants on their understanding of various faiths, beliefs and practices. Participants who completed all 3 journeys received a “Certified EP Ready” certificate endorsed by Grassroots Adviser.
Racial Harmony Day (RHD) Celebrations 21 July 2011
To promote awareness of the importance of racial harmony, schools commemorate Racial Harmony Day on 21st July annually. Racial Harmony Day serves to remind students not to take our harmony for granted, that social division arising from potential racial or religious tensions in a crisis can cost us dearly. It is a day for students to reflect on, and celebrate our harmonious nation and society built on a rich diversity of culture and heritage.
At Central Park, New York City, they have programmes such as;
Adopt-A-Bench Programme
The program was established in 1986 as a permanent fund to maintain and endow the care of Central Park's more than 9,000 benches and their surrounding landscapes. To date, more than 2,000 benches have been adopted.
In recognition of contributions to the fund, the Conservancy installs a plaque engraved with a personalized inscription on a park bench in a location of the donor's choosing. Most benches can be adopted for $7,500. Contributions of $25,000 are recognized with a plaque on a hand-made rustic bench in an area chosen by the donor.
When someone choose to participate in the Adopt-A-Bench program, his/her philanthropic contribution makes him/her a partner in our ongoing work to sustain America's first and greatest urban park.
ROOTS the ROOTS (Restoration of the Outdoors Organized by Teen Students)
This program is for individual teens in grades 9 through 12, and it provides a longer-term engagement and deeper level of education. It is a fun way for high school students to learn about the environment, meet teens with similar interests and develop leadership skills.
Led by environmental educators, ROOTS students learn about urban forests and ecology by participating in the ecological restoration and management of the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, a 3.5-acre woodland set aside for wildlife and closed to the public since 1934. Projects include the removal of invasive plants, planting native plants, and the construction and maintenance of woodchipped trails. Students earn community service hours for their time and regular attendance is required.