At the inaugural Total Defence Convention, stakeholders gathered to bolster societal resilience and readiness amid crises, marking the 40th anniversary of Total Defence.
The inaugural Total Defence Convention, held at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House, marked the 40th anniversary of Total Defence, Singapore’s comprehensive strategy for national security and crisis management. The convention was jointly organized by Nexus and the National University of Singapore, drawing over 250 key partners and practitioners from diverse sectors including public agencies, non-governmental organizations, grassroots communities, and businesses.
Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, served as the Guest of Honour. In his keynote address, Mr Zaqy underscored the ongoing importance of Total Defence in fostering a resilient and robust Singapore. He highlighted the evolution of Total Defence in response to contemporary threats and the essential role of each Singaporean in this collective effort. Citing Exercise SG Ready, a nationwide simulation conducted in February, he reinforced the message that Total Defence is not merely about responding to crises but about consistent resilience and readiness.
Mr Lim Siong Guan, who played a pivotal role in introducing Total Defence in 1984, spoke about the need for Total Defence to evolve continually to meet current and future challenges. He emphasized that Total Defence should inspire daily commitment to national unity and sustainability.
International perspectives were also featured, with Mr Tor-Björn Åstrand from the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency discussing the importance of open dialogue on threats and vulnerabilities, not just among state actors but across society.
Participants engaged in workshops on various topics, such as recognizing foreign interference, using storytelling to bridge diversity gaps, and employing gamification to foster a whole-of-society approach to resilience building. These sessions were aimed at equipping attendees with practical skills to enhance societal readiness and response to disruptions.
The Total Defence Convention provided a platform for learning, sharing best practices, and reaffirming commitments to strengthen societal resilience. It underscored the significance of collaboration across different sectors to ensure Singapore’s preparedness for any crisis or disruption.
Source – MINDEF
