First all-male national conversation session held at coffee shop

First all-male national conversation session held at coffee shop
By Leong Wai Kit | Posted: 16 December 2012 1709 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: A national conversation session for men aged between 45 and 60 years was held on Sunday at a coffee shop in Tampines.

About 40 men turned up for the session, led by Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng and organised by the Tampines GRC Grassroots Organisations (GROs).

It was the first all-male national conversation session.

When asked why he had turned up for the session, 58-year-old Raymond Tan said: "To contribute whatever we can, to ensure that in the next couple of years or later on, Singaporeans can live happily and healthily."

The session is part of the GRO's effort to engage different segments of the population in the ongoing "Our Singapore Conversation".

All were welcome to contribute - even those who do not belong the age group, like 31-year-old Elvin Goh.

"Definitely, (the discussions) can't change everything, but I'm quite certain that all these will be put into consideration when it comes to policy writing," said Mr Goh.

Mr Baey said he has seen many men in coffee shops, engaged in a wide range of conversation topics.

He added that he discussed with Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat, who steers the national conversation initiative, for specific discussion groups to be set up.

Mr Baey said the session was held in a coffee shop so that the participants could be in their "vocal coffee shop-talk mood".

Among the topics discussed were cost of living, medical and housing expenses.

The discussion revealed that the participants seemed to have more similarities than differences.

Mr Baey said: "They still have very traditional values, about caring for their families, taking care of their parents, and they feel sandwiched. And some of them are not able to keep up with the pace of the development of the country, and hence, they feel trapped. But at the same time, they do not want to burden their children."

Organisers plan to hold another session with homemakers in January next year.

- CNA/xq

- wong chee tat :)