Why can't the civic sector in Singapore collaborate?

It’s blog posts like these, from Carla Thompson, VP of Programme Strategy, that really perks me up when some days are the darkest.  I get inspired by the possibility of philanthropy thinking innovatively, acting decisively, breaking out of various assumed constraints, to truly work towards social impact. 

When we read it again, surely it is so intuitive that solutions that address children and parents should be looked at together? Yet we know that history does not show this.  Foundations, and other grantmakers, have consistently espoused individual impact, showcased individual performance. 

No more so has this been more the case in Singapore, in my view.  There may have been the odd examples of charities and nonprofits collaborating on ad-hoc projects; and surely we have seen the multiple-party multiple-logos on the banner kind of “collaborative” fundraising events. 

Yet the long-term, shared-vision and shared-resources approach of solving a pressing social problem through collaborative effort, like the Strive Network, is still elusive.  Singapore has taken the approach of “cross-sectoral agencies”, like SG Enable, Agency for Integrated Care, etc. which show that our government is making an effort (weak still, in my view).

But what of the civic sector? Why are nonprofits and philanthropy so unwilling, or unable, to collaborate? At the worst, we see more money chasing after commonly funded issues (see recent Commissioner of Charities Annual Report and this insightful view on funding duplicate projects).

I have some views on this:

1)      Everything is a competition.

a.      Funds, attention, manpower, resources.  Singapore’s preoccupation with the winner taking all, seems to extend to our civic sector as well. Nowhere is this more at risk than – gulp – funding.  “How would a common pie be split among different partners?” would be one of the first questions to be asked.

2)      Working with partners is risky. 

a.      How do we keep tabs on the other guy? When it’s a commercial partnership, expectations are clearer as they are determined by a common bottom-line – profit.  How do we manage risk when what’s at stake is the social welfare of our communities?

3)      Funders are – at the end –self-serving. 

a.      No, not selfish – just self-serving.  Because they still see their acts of philanthropy as a way through which their mission should be met.  Philanthropic mission, which by the way, may not be aligned with the social issue to be addressed.  This gives rise to the tendency to call your own shots, be the sole funder, so you can identify the sole star non-profit that is solely attributable to delivering that star social impact. 

4)      Good news is good to share, bad news is my own. 

a.      Effective collaboration requires open transparency and a combined effort to share information for all members’ learning, so that the work can improve and progress.  This means sharing not only all the good stories, but also the failures, experiments, pilots, bad decisions.  Our culture keeps bad news under cover, even within our organisations. What is the likelihood we will share it with collaborators?

True, a real collaborative effort that seems to harness collective resources for collective impact, is a long-term commitment, requires heavy investment, open transparency, and strong risk appetite.  Question is – where are Singapore’s changemakers and trailblazers to make this happen?

Share with me your ideas for encouraging truly collaborative philanthropy and social changemaking!

A mother's wish for a new king

Dear Baby George (although personally I prefer to call you Alex or Lou),

Congratulations on being a new face on the royal block!   I'm not going to make fun or be bitter about all the attention you're getting – Aunty Pat isn't bitter like that (or I won't be, when speaking to babies).

Isn't it fantastic to be showered with the attention of such a global family? I suppose it's no different to you whether it's a gang of 10 relatives or 10 million people that are gawking at you, as long as you are held in the sure arms of your mum and dad.  The joy on their face is unmistakable and classic. So are the polka dots worn by both your mum and your grandma when they just left their respective hospital beds =)

There are plenty of flippant notes out there giving you some advice in your new life.  I'd like to, instead, appeal to you to consider something different when you grow up.

1. Love your parents for being your parents, for being human. Royalty was not their choice,  but learn from them the grace with which they bear this responsibility.
2. You are George first, William and Kate's son second, Prince third, and public property last.  Keep this perspective so you don't lose your soul to the pressures from the world.
3. Remember the face of every person who works with you, whether your nanny, chauffeur, cook, colleague, the lady who brings you your tea and biscuits.  Look them in the eye, thank them, and smile. If you have time, ask them about their family.  It makes you, and others, feel good when you behave like a human and treat them the same.
4. Break down your internal barriers - no one said royalty can't muck around in the mud, backpack for a year, bop on the street, or trip over your own two feet.  Your grandma held dying children from the poorest of the poor in her arms - you can't find a better example than that.
5. Never be prideful. You will always be learning in this life, and others will learn from you.  When you think you have it figured out, challenge yourself to think again.
6. Be a positive influence in this world.  Kick yourself when you want to laze and mooch, when you feel like you're entitled. Every privilege you have, you have a responsibility to give more than you have received.  Only then will the world be a better place than before you entered it.
7. Kiss your mummy and daddy every day and tell them you love them.  There will come a time when that will be the only thing that keeps them going.
8. When you see another woman, think of your mum, grandmother, great grandmother, and remember how you treat other women should be how you would treat them.
9. If you want to tear up the town, party it up, smoke and drink and guzzle and snort, know that you are doing your body in and it will only  be able to put up with it for so long.
10. Be an upright, respectful, responsible citizen of the world. 

When you have time, come visit Layla and Mira because I would love for them to do all 10 things above too.  We've got Cheerios and Legos waiting for you!

With warmest wishes and a kiss on your cheek,

Aunty Pat

Hi again

Hello fearsome world of blogging!

Just re-read the history on this blog and realised that since my last post, I have gained and lost some.  Gained another child, Mira, a younger sister to the lovely Layla.  Gained incredible perspective as a mother. Promoted at work. Lost a lot of years. Lost some weight. Lost some dear friends' parents, lost the wonder as a first time mum. 

In some ways it also feels like I have gained another brain. A brain that since 2008 seemed to have mutated into some kind of social justice crusader, that has mushroomed into an exhilarating cloud of frenetic energy that wants to think, brainstorm, plan, do, fail, try again, fail, learn some more, and the heck with the rules.  This other brain has forgotten detachment, objectivity, rationality. It despairs as it rejoices. It is moved to tears as it is quick to shout and scream.  It is my conscience. And it needs to have its voice.

I've expressed as much on Facebook, but I think the other brain is constrained by status update character limits.  So it is time to blog again - wish me luck as I dust off the rusty writing skills.

PS. Posts on this blog reflect purely my personal views.  To the extent that I have posted in a professional capacity, that is usually published elsewhere. However I reserve the right to make known my personal views about such postings on my blog - i.e. this blog.  I trust visitors to be adult in their blog-reading and know the difference.  If you don't, doesn't bother me.