ETHOS Issue 10
October 2011
Last updated 30 July 2026
ETHOS Issue 10 , October 2011
This special issue of ETHOS commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Civil Service College's establishment as a statutory board. Looking ahead, what must we do to build up our collective capacity as a nation to anticipate, cope and thrive in the face of change and uncertainty? Featuring Peter Ong, Jocelyne Bourgon, Laurence Lien David Chan and Aaron Maniam.
Foreword
The Chairman of the Civil Service College encourages the College to capitalize on its many strengths and continue to find new opportunities to develop people for a first-class Public Services.
Preface
The Dean and CEO of the Civil Service College reviews that College's achievements and provides a broad vision for its role in shaping a public sector that can help build a more resilient and successful Singapore.
Editorial
by Alvin Pang
While there is broad agreement that governments will need to work in partnership with other sectors in society in order to adequately address the complexities of wicked problems confronting nations today, there is not yet clear agreement on how best to go about doing so.
Public Governance: Challenges in a Changing Landscape
by Peter Ong
Policymaking should involve public perspectives and citizen efforts while staying focused on the long term, argues Singapore's Head of Civil Service.
The New Synthesis: Preparing Government for the Challenges of the 21st Century
by Jocelyne Bourgon
The New Synthesis Framework expands the concept and practice of governance beyond traditional boundaries of public administration.
National Resilience: Developing a Whole-of-Society Response
by Charles Ng
A more robust society begins with clarity about shared priorities, risks, constraints and capabilities.
Opinion: Singapore’s Non-Profit Sector: What Should its Role Be?
by Laurence Lien
Civil society needs to step up and do much more to help meet the increasingly complex needs of the Singaporean community.
Open Government and Public Crowdsourcing in Practice
by Jairus Yip
Government efforts to engage citizens in collaborative public initiatives are still in their early stages, but there have been some successes.
Developing Our Approach to Public Engagement
by Lena Leong
Clear goals, thoughtful processes and mutual trust are key to constructive engagement with the public.
Perceptions of Fairness
by David Chan
The perceived fairness of process and treatment is as significant as outcomes when engaging employees, stakeholders or the public.
Adaptive Government
Ethos roundtable with Adeeb Al Afifi , Do Le Ch and Mr Puneet Ku
In this session of the ETHOS Roundtable, three eminent participants from Singapore’s 4th Leaders in Governance Programme reflect on the changing roles and responsibilities of public servants in a dynamic world.
Opinion: Preparing Public Officers for New Modes of Governance
by Aaron Maniam
Public service training and development should evolve in tandem with the dynamic, relational modes of governance that are emerging.
Opinion: Frontiers, Sovereignty and Cyberspace
by Bertrand de La Chapelle
Should social media platforms be governed as cross-border digital jurisdictions?
Triumph of the Lion City Review of Edward Glaeser’s Triumph of the City
reviewed by Tan Peng Ting
Book Title : Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier
Author : Edward Glaeser
Published by : The Penguin Press, 2011
Opinion: Futures Literacy — Embracing Complexity and Using the Future
by Riel Miller
If policymakers want to address complexity, they must define and then use the future more effectively, argues futurist Riel Miller.
Leadership Across Generation
by Goh Han Teck
Generational differences may transform the way we identify, develop and practise leadership in the Public Service.
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