Community Leaders Unite for a Meaningful Movie Event

Collaboration Inspired by Legends

In a heartwarming display of teamwork reminiscent of the Chinese tale of the Eight Immortals, recent graduates from the Chinese Community Leadership Programme (CCLP) have joined forces to organize a movie screening for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative, showcasing the power of collaboration, is set to take place on January 23, 2027, at the Huang Clan Association in Geylang.

Empowering Community Through Events

Callie Chen, who leads social affairs at the Ningpo Guild, spearheads the project. "My association is relatively small with limited resources, making it challenging to realize some inspiring ideas," she explained. With support from Stanley James Ng, the youth chairman of the clan association, the team is bringing this vision to life.

Joining Chen are Lin Zhanghan and Nancy Ong from the Singapore Foochow Association, both dedicated to ensuring the event's success. Lin is actively gathering youth volunteers, while Ong focuses on securing sponsorships and vendors for additional activities.

Building Bridges Among Associations

Ng highlighted the rarity of collaboration among clan associations, each with its unique history and functioning. He noted, "CCLP has brought us together weekly, allowing smaller groups to contribute fresh ideas and enthusiasm while larger associations provide space and resources."

A Growing Network of Leaders

Graduating on November 4, the first cohort of the four-month CCLP aims to cultivate future Chinese community leaders. The programme is a partnership between the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), developed in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University. Plans are in place to expand the programme to accommodate more participants in 2027, with the goal of nurturing over 100 community leaders in the next five years.

This initiative also hopes to create an alumni network for graduates to network, share ideas, and foster collaborations long after their formal education.

A Platform for Youth Engagement

Lin, who manages Bo Yi Arts & Designs, emphasized the event's role in empowering youth volunteers. "I believe this experience will help them grow more confident and proud of their community contributions," he said.

The upcoming screening, titled Happy Bompipi, is expected to attract around 30 families, each receiving care packages for their attending children.

Connecting Through Shared Experiences

Nancy Ong, the founder of Drum Circle Singapore, reflected on the invaluable connections made through the CCLP. "Working alongside individuals from various associations enhances our collective skills and allows us to share challenges and solutions," she noted.

The programme went beyond networking; participants also engaged in mastering contemporary challenges within community organizations, including the development of an AI-powered prototype aimed at improving operational tasks like event scheduling and resource management.

Future Paths for Graduates

The importance of nurturing a new generation of community leaders was emphasized by Thomas Chua, SFCCA president and honorary president of SCCCI. He remarked on the graduates' collaborative spirit and connections as key outcomes of the inaugural programme, stating that their involvement is critical for the community's advancement.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat, who attended the graduation event, acknowledged the overwhelming interest in the CCLP, with over 120 nominations received. He called for an ongoing commitment from graduates to engage the youth in Chinese community organizations, ensuring a strong future leadership pipeline.

In closing the ceremony, he expressed hope that the graduates would not only remain active but also rally more young people to forge their paths in community service.