The Little City that Could

From February 24 to the 28^thwe went to Singapore for our DTA Cluster meeting and what a marvel of a City and Country Singapore is! 

I feel so blessed to have experienced a City known for its safety and cleanliness. It’s an island, a country and a City, all in one in Southeast Asia close to the equator. 

The country is very young, founded in the late 1960’s and from nothing they have created the best country in Asia for commerce.  According to our tour guide, it all started when their founding leader got rid of bad people. If a criminal murdered someone, he got executed immediately, and just like that, the City became very safe.

The government began a campaign to keep Singapore Clean since 1968 and the movement is still active today. (Singapore has strict laws from the tiniest of offences like littering or chewing gum. There is literally a garbage can every 20 feet everywhere you turn so no excuses for keeping a City dirty.) 

There are a lot of controls like shops can’t sell alcohol after 10:30 p.m. nor can people be drinking in public after those late hours of the night. Alcohol imports to Singapore are taxed heavily to discourage people from drinking. 

Singapore’s economy has been ranked as the most open in the world, it's in the top 7 least corrupt around the world and most pro-business. (People pay low taxes. The government lowered all taxes to lure investors and now has the third highest per-capita GDP in the world. Many companies in Asia have moved to Singapore and that is impressive to see.) 

There is no minimum wage. It’s all supply and demand and today the average person makes about 4,000 dollars a month so yes, this City is expensive but safe! No wonder wealthy retirees are moving there because when you have money who cares if things cost more as long as you are safe. 

Most or 90% of all their citizens own their home. They have one big beautiful high rise building next to another. However,  Singapore is much more than the sum of its numerous architectural attractions. It’s constantly evolving, reinventing, and reimaging itself, with people who are passionate about creating new possibilities and that is what I took from the people in Singapore where there are no poor among them. Even the drivers and guides show their passion for integrity and innovation. 

How I wish that other developing countries would see them as an example to follow.  It is a good example of the fulfillment of a vision shared by everybody from the top down, ...and from the bottom up.  Si, se puede! 

Con amor,

Vero