09 Aug 2010
~The first-ever National Day celebratory event at the Promontory@Marina Bay~ ~Single largest National Day congregation at the Marina Bay financial district~
1. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) takes its cue from this year’s National Day celebrations theme, “Live Our Dreams. Fly Our Flag” to rally its membership communities and its tripartite partners to live our dreams as One Singapore, lift our productivity as One Workforce, and fly our flag as One People. The Labour Movement’s National Day theme: “Live Our Dreams. Lift Our Productivity” aptly underscores its message to tripartite partners to strive to sustain our economic growth by becoming a “Cheaper Better Faster” economy.
2. Last year, Young NTUC amplified the Labour Movement’s call to “Upturn the Downtown Together” by organising a similar event at the Padang. Over 11,000 union members and their families and friends came together to recite the pledge at 2022 hrs as a large Singapore flag unfurled on stage, allowing a touching yet celebratory ceremony to mark Singapore’s 44th birthday. Photographs of the event were displayed at the National Day Rally by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Inaugural National Day Celebratory Event at Promontory@Marina Bay
3. This is the first time a National Day celebration is held at the Promontory@Marina Bay at the new Marina Bay financial district. At 2000 hrs, union members, their families and friends will light candles in a symbolic gesture to represent the Labour Movement’s pledge to play its role in the exciting future of Singapore.
Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day 2009, Padang
Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day 2009, Padang
Single Largest Congregation around Marina Bay Financial District
4. This year, Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day swings into its fourth year with more than 7,000 union members of all collars and nationalities and their families and friends gathered at the Promontory@Marina Bay to live their dreams and fly their flag. This is the single largest National Day congregation in the Marina Bay financial district.
2010 hrs – The National Dedication Moment
5. At the symbolically significant moment of 2010 hrs, participants will join all Singaporeans to recite our pledge and sing our national anthem. During this nation-wide dedication moment, a 72-feet wide Singapore flag will be lowered from the 11th to the 7th floor of NTUC Centre right next to the Promontory. Situated in the heart of Singapore’s central business district, the NTUC Centre is a symbol of the Labour Movement’s close ties forged between the government and the trade unions of Singapore, and its significant contributions to Singapore’s success and achievements today. It is also around this time the mobile columns as well as NTUC’s 72 member-strong marching contingent will pass by the Promontory@Marina Bay.
6. This year's NDP grand finale will boast a more vibrant display of lighting effects and fireworks at the Marina Bay financial district. At around 2100 hrs, round-the-bay fireworks will be set off at Suntec City, Marina Square, Esplanade, City Hall and Raffles Place. Our participants at the Promontory will do their part by lighting their sparklers found in their Funpacks to form a magnificent display against the National Day Parade’s fireworks backdrop.
7. NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Josephine Teo, who is also the Advisor to Young NTUC said, “So many unions and their members have responded enthusiastically to this event, which has become an integral part of the National Day celebrations. This year’s celebration is special for two reasons. First, as a tripartite partner, we are very gratified to have helped pull Singapore out of the recession and back on the growth path. Second, the celebration takes place right next to NTUC Centre which is the heart of the labour movement, and this reminds us of our important role in nation-building.”
8. In addition to the Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day 2010 event, the Labour Movement will also organise a series of cluster-based, company-based and themed National Day Observance Ceremonies this August to celebrate Singapore’s 45th birthday as we emerge from last year’s economic gloom and gear up to ride on the global recovery in 2010 and beyond.
Mrs Josephine Teo
Advisor to Young NTUC
National Trades Union Congress.
