Dialogues and Focus Group Discussions

REACH facilitates dialogues and focus group discussions between political office holders (POHs) and citizens on hot-button topics, such as cost of living, job security, social mobility and announcements made at national events such as Budget and National Day Rally. We also work with community partners to engage Singaporeans on the global geopolitical situation.

These platforms create spaces for Singaporeans from various walks of life to share their thoughts candidly with the POHs and for the Government to engage citizens directly on its position on important issues.

Examples of dialogues and focus group discussions held:

National Day Rally (NDR) Dialogues

Singaporeans discussed hot-button issues like housing, jobs and education with POHs such as Minister Ong Ye Kung, Minister Desmond Lee and REACH Chairman SMS Tan Kiat How at REACH’s NDR Dialogues. These sessions encouraged constructive exchange of diverse perspectives among participants and between POHs and participants.

Minister Desmond Lee with participants of 2023 post-NDR English Dialogue on Public Housing

Minister Chee Hong Tat with participants of 2024 post-NDR Mandarin Dialogue

Budget Conversations

REACH’s annual Budget Conversations engaged citizens on topics like economic growth, social compact, retirement adequacy and national resilience. Joined by POHs such as Minister Chee Hong Tat, REACH Chairman SMS Tan Kiat How, REACH Deputy Chair Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) Eric Chua, participants shared feedback on critical policies, ensuring that ground sentiments were heard by the policymakers. In 2023 and 2024, REACH partnered KISS 92FM and UFM100.3 radio stations to help Singaporeans better understand how the Budget measures impact them.

Minister Indranee Rajah, and Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How

Grassroots Adviser Mr Xie Yao Quan & 2022-2024 REACH Advisory Panel members discussing on Budget

Orang Muda Gitew (OMG) x Berita Harian (BH) Series 2024

Aimed at inspiring Malay-Muslim youths and gathering their perspectives on national and social issues, the OMG x BH series included fireside chats and focus group discussions. Past BH Achievers of the Year Awardees like former President Mdm Halimah Yacob, ex-CEO of Bank of Singapore Mr Bahren Shaari and cardiologist Dr Abdul Razakjr Omar provided insights on leadership and offered valuable guidance to participants on navigating their futures.

Former President of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob

Engagements on geopolitical developments

REACH facilitated a series of dialogues to provide citizens platforms to better understand geopolitical developments around the world including issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict. These sessions aimed to help Singaporeans better understand Singapore's foreign policy position while promoting social cohesion by encouraging respectful conversations on complex issues among diverse community groups.

Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Yale Alumnus Mr Andrew Cheong

Conversations with Our Youths

REACH engaged students from institutes of higher learning such as polytechnics, ITEs, NIE and universities on key issues like mental health, cost of living, career pathways, housing and AI. Joined by POHs such as Minister Desmond Lee, Dr Maliki Osman and REACH Deputy Chair SPS Eric Chua, these sessions encouraged students to share views about job security and education, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges young Singaporeans face.

Minister Dr Maliki Osman with REACH partner Varsity Voices and participants

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