From 11 October 2009, City Harvest Chinese Church (CHCC) embarked on “Five Weeks of Joy”, a campaign based on the vision of City Harvest Church’s Deputy Senior Pastor Tan Ye Peng, to enrich the lives of the congregation.

Members attending the worship service on the first week of this campaign showed a visibly sharper sense of fashion. Every cell group made the effort to win the “Best Cell Group Makeover” award. Cell groups CC31, CC48 and CC58, ultimately emerged as the winners. Evelyn Kong, cell group leader of CC48, noted that her members have already become more confident and are better equipped at creating their own sense of style. “In fact, they gathered at a member’s house to dress before coming to service — they even helped each other put on make up!”

PHOTOS: Wen Zhi Guang

Over these five weeks, other activities include line-dancing and floral arrangement classes, chess , “Best Cell Group Refreshment” competition and even a track-and-field meet. Natalie Teo, the person-in-charge of “Five Weeks of Joy” explains that the events are held to make church “more upbeat and exciting for its members.”

“Line dancing is one of the more common activities among the Chinese-speaking, as is floral arrangement. These activities cater to people of all ages,” added Teo.

Indeed it was an upbeat session of line-dancing as about 170 people gathered at Bukit Gombak Stadium’s Media room, grooving to Mandarin country hits. Two instructors were brought in to lead the dance.

In contrast, the floral arrangement class was held at the serene roof garden of City Harvest Church’s premises at Jurong West St 91. With the guidance of a professional florist, members concluded two hours worth of hard work by wrapping flowers up in a bouquet.

Participant Lim Tian Wen quipped “Looks like I won’t have to buy flowers on Mother’s Day any more!”

Teo is very pleased with the success of “Five Weeks of Joy” so far, especially since, “The turnout for the dance was overwhelming! We really hit a chord with these activities. We are looking forward to plan more such events in future.”

The civil war in Sri Lanka may have ended, but in its place, fresh mayhem has set in. With armed soldiers stationed at every turn, the people of Sri Lanka are very well experiencing peace that comes with a price.

“Tension in the streets can be felt with the intimidating presence of the army soldiers. Civilians have to alight from their vehicles and cross various checkpoints on foot, while every vehicle, entering or exiting, is thoroughly inspected using metal detectors,” says Soruban Shanthanapillai, 28, a local living in Colombo, who travels frequently to the outskirt towns in the north.

A military offensive launched by the Sri Lankan government began in July 2006 and defeated the stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009. Prior to that, the Sri Lankan civil war that has been going on for close to 30 years has claimed the lives of 80,000 to 100,000 civilians.

The long-standing civil war left in its wake thousands of wounded people, orphaned children, broken families, and made many homeless and destitute in Sri Lanka. Following its victory, the Sri Lankan government sprung to work on a plan to resettle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) under internationally acceptable conditions.

Locals give accounts of how the military swept villages in search of LTTE. Their attacks and fighting reportedly resulted in the destruction of villages, causing thousands to be homeless and displaced. These people were taken and confined within the safety of the interim IDP camps, while the government sought to clear the villages of mines, bodies and other evidences of the violence, rebuilding the villages, making it safe for the people to return to their villages one day.

Medical Team from Singapore

On 24 August 2009, a team of 12 medical workers and helpers answered the humanitarian call to go to the northern Sri Lankan city of Vavuniya, a former LTTE stronghold, to provide medical services within the Menic Farm IDP camps.

The Menic Farm IDP camp is divided into seven zones, with Zone 1 housing IDPs who were among the earliest to be displaced as a result of the war; while Zone 7 houses IDPs who have just been displaced as a result of the unrest. A zone should ideally house 20,000 to 30,000 people but most of the zones are over-crowded (Zone 1 has over 80,000 people and Zone 4 has approximately 47,000 people). Sri Lanka has a total of 250,000 to 300,000 IDPs, mostly in the Northern parts of the country, particularly in Vavuniya.

The medical team consisted of medical doctors and nurses from humanitarian organizations in Singapore, namely, CityCare Limited and Crisis Relief Singapore, together with volunteer members who are non-medical personnel. All 12 individuals came together as strangers but bonded from day one, providing each other help and support wherever there was a need.

Upon arrival, the team got down to work immediately, setting up makeshift consultation tables for doctors to tend to patients. An endless queue of people formed, with all kinds of medical conditions, from the common cold and fever to other ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy and viral attacks. Remnants of the civil war were also evident as seen — the doctors treated open wounds and shell blast injuries. In one of the camps was a woman, eight-and-a-half months pregnant, who went into early labor. An ambulance had to be called into the IDP camp, so that the woman could be rushed to the town’s hospital.

The doctors and nurses worked through translators, which slowed consultation down. However, the medical team labored on in the heat of the day without a break except for a 10-minute lunch each day.

While the medical team was hard at work, the rest of the team members were outside in the heat of the afternoon sun, distributing dry rations, clothes and toys to the IDPs. The team members had brought along all kinds of sporting equipment — soccer balls, volley balls, basketballs, cricket bats and balls. They started a game of volley ball among themselves, which very soon drew a crowd — some of the IDPs even joined in. Team leader, Kenneth Sim, 39, then whipped out a soccer ball and gathered the children for a game of football.

“The IDPs lead very mundane lives, day after day, whiling their time away, doing nothing. We brought along the balls in hope that it will take their minds off their present situation,” explains Sim. “If spending an afternoon under the hot sun, playing ball games with them, can cause them to come up with similar ideas on how to spend their time creatively — long after visiting humanitarian groups are gone — it is all worth it.”

PHOTOS: Serina Perera and David E.C.D.

“Simple childhood games like catching, ‘scissors, paper, stone’, simple origami, hop scotch thrill the children so much. Even the adults took part in the games,” says volunteer Seraphina Chong, 17. It didn’t matter that language was a barrier and the non-medical team had no help with translation — everyone spoke the language of fun and sports.

A Different Perspective of Life

The team spent three days in the IDP camps performing the same tasks daily; the medical team treated patients, while the non medical team engaged the locals in games. All in the aid team agreed that coming on the trip helped them to gain a different perspective of life. As volunteer Eunice Wong, 25, aptly puts it, “When I look at the IDPs, I can only imagine how their once near-perfect lives have now been disrupted because of the civil war, and all they want to do is to go back to living their lives and be with their families. This teaches me not to take for granted what we have back home, the peace and racial harmony we get to experience.”

After the domination of High School Musical the last few years, it’s a bit of a relief to get the remake of an Oscar-nominated musical TV series: Fame.

Based on the original Oscar-winning 1980s hit film and TV series, Fame follows a group of talented dancers, singers, actors and artists as they hone their talents through four years of study at the prestigious New York High School of Performing Arts.

The story begins with thousands of applicants auditioning for a place in the school. Denise Dupree (Naturi Naughton), the protagonist in this movie impresses the teacher at the auditions and continue to impress him afterwards. A classical pianist all her life, she wants to pursue something else, but her parents object.

Meanwhile, Jenny Garrison (Kay Panabaker) is having difficulties loosening up and being crazy like everyone else in her drama class. She is jealous of Marco Ramone (Asher Book) for topping the class as the best singer despite his happy-go-lucky attitude. Ironically, Marco shows interest in Jenny and decides to ask her out.

Upon the coaxing of Victor Taveras (Walter Perez) and Malik Washburn (Collins Pienne), Denise decided to try out singing behind her parents’ back.

The demanding standards of the school pay off. After four years the students seem well on their way to fame, with some being offered positions with world famous dance troupes, while others go on Sesame Street!

Apart from the glitz and glamor of fame, this movie also shows the real world that awaits these students as they exit the four walls of their school, and are quickly faced with setbacks or life-changing decisions.

Fame is a musical packed with lots of singing and dancing guaranteed to get you humming along to the songs after the movie ends. For those who aspire to be a performing artist, Fame will only fan the fire.

Rating:

On 1 October 2009, kids from 10 Family Services Centres (FSCs) celebrated Children’s Day at  Singapore Polytechnic (SP).  ‘Kids Breakout’ , an event organized by SP students Toh Fang Ru, Xavier Boey and Felicia Seow was held for the benefit of children from lower income families. ‘Kids Breakout’ also marked the closing of the project ‘Give a Hope, Make a Dream Come True’.

While the kids were participating in five exciting games, the volunteer befrienders and SP students formed the words ‘KIDS BREAKOUT!!!’ made purely with coloured stars which they painstakingly folded throughout the week.

After the games, the kids gathered to take part in the longest word formation using folded stars in an attempt to break the record. Every child got a chance to fold a star each and drop it into the word formation as “every child is a star”, said Koh Yuzhen, a volunteer. Together with the kids, they have officially set the record for the largest word formation using stars. After a round of phototaking, the kids gathered in SP auditorium for the final event.

Kim Wakerman, star of the Kids Central TV hit, ‘We are R.E.M.’, led the kids in two exciting rounds of gigantic UNO Stacko and bursting of balloons through unconventional methods.

PHOTOS: Elvis Chiu

The top three prizes were given out to the kids who won the games and showed exceptional teamwork. After the prize presentation, the kids began bursting every balloon and enjoying candy floss and popcorn made by the SP students.

The kids were also given a chicken rice lunchbox and mooncake to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.

SP organizer Toh Fang Ru, shared, “We faced many challenges such as manpower shortage to run the event and lack of people to fold the stars as we went ahead planning this event. Despite that, we went ahead with the plan because it is meaningful and we simply want to do something for the kids.”

The Kids Breakout has been a great success as every kid left believing that each of them is a Star.

Teachers showing their appreciation to others on Teachers’ Day?  The unique philosophy behind eduNet was in full bloom in its latest initiative, Teacher Moment, which rallied teachers to celebrate other teachers who had made a difference in their lives.

The seeds of what today is eduNet were planted in late 2007 when a group of friends, drawn by their common profession as educators, sought to be an encouragement to the education fraternity and a catalyst for teachers to spur each other towards excellence.

Teacher Moment is the most recent event which provided an avenue for people to take a moment to touch their teachers’ hearts in celebration of Teachers’ Day this year. The centerpiece of the initiative is a commemorative booklet of personal accounts from teachers appreciating their fellow educators, mentors and ex-teachers.

Director-General of Education, Ho Peng, captured the spirit behind the initiative in the booklet’s opening message: “This collection of stories attests to the outstanding work of our teachers in touching lives. They serve to encourage us (as teachers) in our own journey in making a difference in the lives of others.”

Teacher Moment also garnered mainstream media attention when its web portal (www.teachermoment.sg) was featured in Chinese daily, Lianhe Zaobao last 27 July. The portal goes beyond the four walls of educational institutions to create a space where the public can pay tribute to teachers through messages, photos and videos.

Past initiatives by eduNet included Class Dismissed: Lessons Beyond the Classroom, a publication comprising learnings and experiences from veteran educators given out to teachers-to-be at the National Institute of Education during Teachers’ Day in 2008.

At the core of the publication is a desire to inspire a generation of new educators. Speaking with City News, Chairman of eduNet, who is also the Principal of North View Primary School, Ng Yeow Ling, shared, “The moment you’re here not just to do things day in day out, but you’re here knowing you’re touching the future, these are lives you’re moulding — so this to me is very basic, something a generation of new educators must embrace.”

Ng elaborated that these new educators would be able to, “look beyond their own students, their own classroom, to contribute to the larger professionalism of teaching by being an inspiration to the fraternity.”

For eduNet, in the near future, this means serving the teaching community better through more focused groups for segments ranging from pre-school teachers to educators at institutions of higher learning. Eventually eduNet hopes to have a presence in every school.

What will continue to guide eduNet’s work is a strong belief in optimism to overcome teaching challenges and a principle of always investing in initiatives that are life-giving, instead of life-depleting.

As Ng aptly puts in a nutshell, “deep in the heart of what it means to educate is really to make the world a better place, for generations to come.” And there is no place better to start with than with educators themselves.

Teacher Moment and Class Dismissed: Lessons Beyond the Classroom are available for download at www.teachermoment.sg.

On 12 September 2009, a team of nine young adults ventured into the land of Muar, Malaysia for a trip that would soon change their lives. Upon the team’s arrival, we were welcomed by warm hospitality of our Muar hosts. They brought us to our humble but clean accommodation and blessed us with delicious Muar food. The very same evening, we led a breakthrough evangelistic youth service. Harvest Christian Fellowship (Muar) regular youth member strength is 17, but about 42 people turned up for the service! Praise the Lord! A powerful word about Father’s Love encouraged many of the youth gave their hearts to Jesus in a full altar call.

We also spent some time to disciple the youth leaders by splitting ourselves up to personally impart to them. Many of the youth had great hunger to do something for God, but they are untrained and most do not have access to what our church is privileged with.

Thereafter, on the next day, we led a main service averaging 50 adults and children where a powerful message about investing our life talents in the kingdom of God was preached. Once again, there was a full altar call where everyone just knelt before the presence of God and the team laid hands and imparted to the Muar church.

We then followed the Muar church workers on their visitations and we were really impacted by what we saw and learnt. One of the most memorable visitations was one where Pastor Lilian stepped into a mobile shop to top-up her card, but really to reach out to the shop-owner. They introduced a new worship song to the shop-owner and his family, and after singing it, Pastor boldly shared the love of Christ with them and invited them to accept Christ. The shop-owner actually agreed and Pastor prayed for them right there and then in the shop premises.

Another unforgettable incident was one of the church workers Mei Zhu, having received a phone call from one of the church members, rushed down immediately to a non-Christian family consisting of an adult son and an elderly motherly who just suffered from a stroke. Mei Zhu simply asked if she could sing to the elderly lady in a semi-vegetable state, while explaining to her son that by singing to her it will encourage the elderly lady who still can sense people showing care to her. Just by simple singing of a Hokkien worship song, the presence of God filled the entire room and no eye in the room was left dry. Even her adult son had tears in his eyes, and was very grateful and open to the love of Jesus. When Mei Zhu and the few of the Singapore team members were leaving, they made arrangements to visit again.

PHOTOS: Liong Chee Pang

Indeed, it was a great privilege to experience first-hand the boldness and the genuine love of Pastor Lilian and her team that is growing the Muar church! Qi Fang (18, Student), the youngest in the team, said: “I am greatly impacted by how bold the Muar church is. It has completely challenged me to step out of my comfort zone to reach the lost!”

It was a great challenge for the Singaporean team to overcome the barrier of preaching, praying, and ministering in Chinese. Every single one of us on the team took a step of faith. Cindy Teng (24, Working Adult), who took leave from her busy schedule specially for this mission trip says “If God wants to move, it doesn’t matter what kind of weakness of inadequacies we have, He will still use a willing vessel.” We had so much to learn, but we constantly reminded ourselves that God had sent us there to be a blessing.

From this trip, one of our greatest lessons is God really can use ordinary, willing people to serve His will in an extraordinary way. Who better sums it up than Zhi Peng (26, Working Adult), our team leader who preached in the adult service: “声音是我的，话是神的!” loosely translated: “The voice may be mine, but the word is from God!”

Interview and story by Jamshed Wadia

At the recently concluded Global Social innovators Forum 2009, City News had the privilege to catch up with one of the key attendees of the event, Suhas Gopinath.

Suhas has earned the unique distinction of being the world’s youngest CEO; he started his software company at age 14 and has since become one of the most remarkable success stories of teenage entrepreneurship.

Today, he’s 23 and runs a world-class business with over 600 employees. His company Globals Inc had, like every great technology company worth its salt, a very humble beginning. Suhas started it out in an Internet café that he worked part-time at, in his neighborhood in the IT city of Bangalore, India. As Indian laws did not permit him to start a company, he was forced to register the company at San Jose, California in 2000. At age of 16 when most other teenagers are busy with things like studies, friends and games, Suhas was already recognized as the world’s youngest CEO by global media including BBC, Washington Times and the Limca Book of Records.

Today, Globals Inc operates worldwide, with representation in at least 11 countries and clients numbering over 200 across the globe. With its average employee age being 25 years, this young software company seems positioned to pull off the next big corporate success story.

City News: At the age of 16, you were recognized as the world’s youngest entrepreneur. What has been your motivation?

Suhas Gopinath: I have always wanted to be my own boss, with my personal philosophy being: if your work is beneficial to the organization you work for, then why not do it for your own organization? One of the other motivations for me has been to create a platform for the young dropouts and unemployed youth to develop their talents, and to give them employment opportunities in the technology sector. In other words, I just don’t want to create only an enterprise but a social enterprise that is profitable but also gives back to society. There is nothing more satisfying than having the ability to provide employment opportunities to deserving, young people.

CN: What kind of social and family pressure and resistance did you face when trying to set up business at a young age?

SG: Initially when I was setting up the company I told my parents that I was involved in a hobby club and that it was just something that I was doing in my spare time. Later on when my parents discovered about my company they were concerned about how it would impact my future and were keen that I continue my education. In India, a good education is perceived as pivotal to one’s success — and, in many cases, helpful in finding a suitable partner for marriage. But my parents have, on the whole, been a great support to my dreams. The values they have instilled in me have helped me in my business as well. It’s very important for parents to encourage their children especially if they have the entrepreneurial spirit in them.

CN: What are the three important things that you think have made you successful?

SG: One: despite of all the success and the media attention I have received, there has not been any significant change in my lifestyle. I have learned to live modestly. In fact, when, as a company, we hit our first US$500,000 revenue, I was still taking pocket money from my dad. Success can go to your head — hence it’s important to stay humble and grounded.

Two: I believe that my parents have instilled a good set of values in me. These have stood me good stead all this while.

Three: The teamwork that we as an organization have managed to achieve has brought us success. I don’t treat my team as employees but as a family striving toward a collective goal.

CN: It’s been said that your dream is to build a business empire like Bill Gates. Have you met him and how was the experience?

SG: Yes, Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft Corporation) was one of my inspirations in setting up Globals Inc. I had opportunity to meet Bill Gates when he visited Bangalore, and the first thing that he told me was: “I need to be afraid of you as you have aspirations to be like me.” I was amazed to find Mr Gates to be very humble, modest and very approachable as a person. I always look up to him as a role model and how he has made Microsoft an unforgettable success story. I want the same for my company Globals Inc.

PHOTOS: Elvis Chiu

CN: Along with your business success, you seem to have availed yourself to rally for social causes. For example, you have volunteered as a brand ambassador for PETA. What’s been your motivation there?

SG: I have always been very socially aware and responsible. When I was in 10th grade and just setting up my company, me and my friends did a lot of community work in our neighborhood. Many times we helped the community clear the garbage to bring about awareness in the neighborhood about keeping the roads and environment clean. As a teenager, my first passion was to be a vet, but with the start of my business I dropped that career option. Hence, joining PETA is my way of contributing to society and releasing my passion for animals. Also, I am always closely associated with advising the World Bank on various projects they are conducting in Africa, in the areas of education and employment for the young.

CN: Where do you see yourself and your business five years and 10 years from now?

SG: I would like to create an environment for growth within my organization, and as a young CEO I would not like to be a roadblock to other youngsters that work for me. I plan to take a sabbatical in the future and come back as chairman of Globals Inc, hence creating opportunities for others to hold the CEO position. Then I can focus on looking for new business opportunities. For Globals Inc, we have plans to be listed in the stock market, and we would like to now focus on specific product solutions in areas of education and the Internet.

CN: Do you have a message for young entrepreneurs who want to be like you?

SG: Yes. Be adventurous in life and be willing to take risks. Take every opportunity to meet new people, operate in new circumstances and get out of your comfort zone. Though I have made many sacrifices to reach this point, the joy of providing employment to hundreds of talented youth has made it a worthwhile journey for me so far.

Related story: GSIF 2009: Walking The Talk To Change The World

If you work in a place where your boss operates through fear (“I’m going to fire the next person who makes a mistake!”), your colleagues watch their own backs, or the product or service you’re hired to sell will do your clients more harm than good, then John Hope Bryant’s new book Love Leadership: The New Way To Lead In A Fear-Based World will be an eye-opener and a beacon of hope for you.

In town to accept a SIP (Social Innovation Park) Fellow Award last week at the Global Social Innovators Forum, Bryant quickly won over anyone he met with his charming mix of wit and wisdom. Throughout the conference’s plenary sessions and forums, Bryant communicated the five core tenets of “love leadership”, a contrarian proposal for a more effective way to lead: “Fear Fails”, “Love Makes Money”, “Vulnerability is Power”, “Loss Creates Leaders” and “Giving Is Getting”. After GSIF, Bryant held a talk and a signing for Love Leadership.

One may be tempted to call John Hope Bryant a social entrepreneur, but that would be like calling Bill Gates a computer expert.

Bryant, 43, is the founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, a global non-profit that teaches financial literacy and provides financial solutions to over 51 low-income communities in US and South Africa.

He is also the vice-chairman of the US President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, working on a governmental level to make an active difference in giving the lower-income groups “a hand up and not a hand out”.

Bryant is a business and financial wunderkind. He shares the story of how his parents divorced over money, and how his mother brought him up to be a businessman, dressing him up in a velvet suit from the time he was 10. At 16 he owned his first business, a candy store. At the age of 18 he was homeless for six months, living out of his Jeep when he caught a break in a banking job, with no prior experience. By the time he was 26, he had bought over his former employer’s business and started Bryant Group Companies, and making millions.

And that was when he received his calling. “I remember asking God, ‘What is my purpose here?’” he writes in Love Leadership. “And sometimes you have to be careful asking questions like that, because God may actually answer you.”

In 1992, during the riots that followed the Rodney King trial, Bryant watched as South Central Los Angeles was burned down. Desperate to do something, he spoke to his spiritual mentor Rev Chip Murray, who told him “These folks cannot rebuild a community. You can rebuild a community. God made you for this moment. Take your business skills and put them to use.”

Out of that command, Operation HOPE was born. Bryant joined the government, the community and the private sector in a partnership. Through responsible and fair lending by the banks, the black community began to own their own homes, paying mortgages instead of rentals of the same amount.

Bryant found his purpose creating such win-win solutions over and over again, the last 17 years. Operation HOPE has served over a million lower-income individuals and raised over US$500 million to help the communities.

In person, Bryant speaks in quotable quotes. “The best way to start living a dream is to wake up,” is one Bryantism. Another is “You are all leaders because you can all serve.” But the difference between Bryant and some other self-help guru is that he is completely authentic. One never feels he is at any point giving you “a line”. He speaks openly and honestly, making a point to acknowledge and encourage everyone he is talking to.

And that is precisely what makes Bryant an instant hero wherever he goes. It is also what makes his book Love Leadership a riveting read: Bryant’s lack of self-consciousness in sharing his personal experiences and past mistakes to drive home a point. He admits to having been less than a great boss to work for. He shares that when Operation HOPE, like every non-profit in the world, was finding itself short on fulfillments of pledge amounts, instead of begging the crisis, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work — the result: Operation HOPE exceeded its 2008 targets and brought in more pledges than it had in good times.

Bryant has the energy to drive thousands of volunteers to doing a good work. His passion and personality has attracted support from the likes of Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. His mentors include the legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who ropes in hot music stars like Tyrese to promote Bryant’s 5MK drive (“Five million kids in our financial literacy program”).

Like Obama, Bryant recognizes the power of social media in promoting his causes and creating connections — he was actively Tweeting on Twitter (@johnhopebryant) as the GSIF conference sessions were taking place), and he Tweets several times a day about where he’s been (like the White House on the day Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize!). He is on FaceBook, and his website (www.johnhopebryant.com) is now on a Love Leadership campaign, daily publishing photos from Bryant’s travels and book signings, and running reviews of the book as they get emailed to him. He admits he never says no to anyone who asks him to be their mentor, “because this person just wants to be acknowledged and encouraged” — he mentors them via email.

In fact just talking to him, one feels 24 hours is far too few to get so much done, and that one should start doing something positive and making an active difference right this minute!

“I feel very blessed to be able to do a work that is so fulfilling to me, and so helpful to others and so relevant to the times,” he tells City News. But he’s far from done.

PHOTOS: Elvis Chiu

“I want to reach, teach and touch five million kids. I want to start a course on entrepreneurship. I want to make smart sexy. I want to spark a silver rights movement around the world, to give people a hand up and not a hand out. I want to spark a movement around love leadership, and really inspire a new way to lead.

“I want to help change the world by giving people the tools and inspiration. I want to be a fisher of men, to help people help themselves.

“I want to change the world.”

Buy Love Leadership: The New Way To Lead In A Fear-Based World.

Exclusive Interview with John Hope Bryant
Part 1

Part 2

Global Social Innovators Forum 2009 — which took place 1 to 3 October at the suitably futuristic venue of Fusionopolis along South Buona Vista Road in Singapore — proved to be a hotbed of ideas and newly formed manifestos for “Team Earth” and “an all-inclusive world”.

World-famous thinkers, economists, retailers, movers and shakers came together to put their weight behind new ways to right the ills in the world today, from greening the earth and restoring balance, to bridging gaps in society. “Collaborative Innovations” was the title of this year’s conference, alluding to the coming together of all the stakeholders: businesses, policy makers, media and the everyman. Big-name guests included John Hope Bryant, Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE; S Rob Walton, CEO of WalMart; Suhas Gopinath, CEO of Globals Inc and the youngest CEO in the world and Peter Seligmann, Chairman of Conservation International. From Singapore, members of Parliament showed their support: Senior Minister of State (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Zainal Abidin; Minister for Community Development Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan; Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yeo, and Minister of State Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.

The conference was chaired by the tireless Penny Low, Member of Parliament and founder of Social Innovation Park. What sparked great interest was the participation of Alvin Toffler, futurist and author of the influential tomes Future Shock and The Third Wave. Toffler took part in the opening plenary session by live webcast from the US, and quickly set the tone for the conference’s nine key sessions and 11 breakout workshops.

“Social innovators may not be making a lot of money yet, but they are the new heroes,” he declared. Toffler’s prediction of the shake-ups that would take place as the world progresses from the industrial age into a knowledge-based economy has in part already come to pass. The current crisis can’t be solved with industrial-age methods — it is in fact an opportunity for the world to find a new way to live, trade, build and be accountable. Recognizing that increased religiosity in the world is affecting the quest for an “all-inclusive world”, Toffler also made a bid for the religious to “kiss science” — or be left behind. With that, the conference was launched, showcasing the people who are already living this new way, and paving the path for the rest of the world to follow, which promises to reap great benefits for all, in a series of win-win collaborations.

Great examples of these include Walmart’s commitment to buy from sustainable suppliers, promoting renewable energy and making its company “zero waste”; Pepsico’s ingenious creation of a social music event in China to attract Chinese youth to the importance of protecting the Yellow River; and Singapore’s leadership in geographical greening efforts, which is being used as a model in other first-world cities.

PHOTOS: Elvis Chiu

One highlight of the conference was the SIP Awards and Gala dinner, which was held on the first evening at the Marina Barrage (perfectly suitable because it is one of the greenest, low-energy places in Singapore). S Rob Walton was presented the SIP Distinguished Fellow Award, for WalMart’s continued efforts to do business with a green conscience.

SIP Fellow Awards were given out to outstanding social innovators from across the world: From the USA, John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, America’s first non-profit social investment banking organization, and Peter Seligmann, founder of Conservation International. From China, Calvin Chin, co-founder and CEO of Qifang, a web service that allows Chinese tertiary students to find lenders and donors to pay for their education. From India, Suhas Gopinath, the world’s youngest entrepreneur when he was 16, CEO of Globals Inc, a web 2.0 solutions company with clients around the world. And from Singapore, Melissa Aratani Kwee, serial social entrepreneur and founder of Project Access and Beautiful People, and Dr Ting Choon Meng, a serial inventor of medical devices and an author.

Workshops slotted between key sessions gave delegates the opportunity to spar on fresh ideas and ask questions of the speakers. Lively discussions ensued on topics such as the role of the media in social innovation, and how technology can be used to alleviate poverty. It was an unusual conference in spirit: it seemed rare to experience a gathering of individuals who were as — or more — eager to share and to help than to gain something for themselves. GSIF was effective in shedding light on the tangled web the world has woven, and the fact that every person at that conference has a real responsibility and authority to do something about the world we live in, and to quote Michael Jackson) make it a better place. Delegates left inspired, with new insights, fresh ideas, and a palpable excitement about what the next 12 months will bring before all are gathered here in Singapore again, very likely with good reports.

For more information about GSIF 2009, visit www.socialinnovatorsforum.org.

To find out more about what Social Innovation Park does, go to www.socialinnovationpark.org.

MORE ON GSIF:
• John Hope Bryant article

It has well been several months since City Harvest Church (CHC) embarked on Prayer 365, whereby individual cell groups and entire zones conduct morning and evening prayer meetings as well as overnight prayer meetings. Prayer is definitely nothing new to CHC but what is the driving reason behind this ratcheting up of the level of corporate prayer? City News gets in touch with Derek Dunn, Executive Pastor of CHC to find out more.

Q: Why is City Harvest Church doing Prayer 365? Is Prayer 365 inspired by and modeled after Yoido Full Gospel Church in Korea?

A: Dr Cho says that prayer is the key to revival. Coming from the pastor of the world’s largest church, that is wisdom to adhere to! Prayer has been an integral part of CHC from the beginning. The church started more than 20 years ago with members that were hungry for the presence of God and daily prayer meetings were an everyday part of church life. We have had weekly prayer meetings and overnight prayer meetings throughout the past years but this year, (Pastor) Kong felt the Lord reminded him that it takes 7 times more firepower to conquer new ground! As such, Prayer 365 was launched with the purpose of mobilizing the members to form a prayer chain every morning and every night as well as throughout the night.

Q: How will Prayer 365 evolve over the coming years? Will there eventually be multiple full fledged prayer meetings in our main auditorium?

A: As for now, we have committed to do Prayer 365 for one year first. Thereafter we will have to see how the Lord leads us, but one thing’s for sure, prayer will continue to be a part of the CHC DNA whether through Prayer 365 or another new prayer agenda.

PHOTOS: Gabriel Seow and Lam Huiching

Q: What are some of the tangible results that (Pastor) Kong and the pastoral team are believing for as the church embarks on Prayer 365?

A: Well, I believe that as we pray, the members will have personal encounters with God, they will become more spiritual and will see breakthroughs in their own personal lives, as well as in their cell groups and the church.

As the church continues to grow and to prosper, it is imperative that we do not enter into the next 20 years lacking in prayer. So we want to continue to stand in faith as we transform CHC into a church that prays without ceasing!