QLC team gains insight on public policy, governance

Qatar Leadership Centre’s (QLC) Government Leaders gained insight onpublic policy and governance on a recent Learning Journey to Singapore. The trip, a staple of QLC’s yearlong programme, fostered knowledgeexchange between QLC participants and their Singaporean counterparts atall levels of government. Alongside top policy minds, participantslearned about Singapore’s approach to addressing its nationalopportunities and challenges, according to a statement.Singapore’s experience is instructive for the participants, who are onthe leading edge of Qatar’s own development; a strong desire for furtherprogress and development is what the countries have in common. Moreimportantly, they share similar views on path-to-growth strategies. BothSingapore and Qatar play a vital role within their regions,demonstrating that success does not depend on the size of the country,the statement notes.“As growing countries on the global stage, Singapore and Qatar developedstrategic visions to guide transformation and advancement,” said DrAbdulla bin Ali al-Thani, managing director and member of the Board ofDirectors of QLC. “Engaging with public sector experts who contributedto Singapore’s vast achievements inspires the Government Leaders todevelop smart, creative policies that will help Qatar continue tothrive.”The Government Leaders Learning Journey was co-organised by CivilService College Singapore, a partner of QLC. Tina Tan, director of CivilService College International, welcomed the participants during anopening ceremony. The agenda included workshops on the fundamentals of good governance aswell as policy development for economic development and diversification.Government Leaders also participated in a special session on TotalDefence with Singapore’s Ministry of Defence. Total Defence is aframework in which every sector of Singapore’s society is called upon todo its part to protect the country from military, civil, economic andsocial threats. An important topic addressed in the interactive sessions wascybersecurity. The Government Leaders met with Singapore’s CyberSecurity Agency to discuss new challenges in an increasingly connectedworld. The participants also learned how Singapore serves its elderly citizens,visiting the Council for Third Age. There, they saw how theorganisation promoted active ageing for senior citizens throughvolunteerism and education.