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The SMCs, held biennially since 2008, serve as a platform to raise awareness of the charitable work carried out by Caritas Singapore and its member organisations. Over the years, these conferences have also inspired many like-minded individuals to come together and join in the effort to care for those in need.
Join us this year for Social Mission Conference 2024.
Date: Saturday 25 May
Time: 9am to 5.30pm
Venue: Catholic Junior College
Programme Overview
Our Faith calls us to action. How can we respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor?
Our care for one another and for the Earth are intimately bound together.
How does the Church understand society and environment together?
How can we bring about a society that respects the dignity of all?
How can the Church be a force for good?
Timing | Programme |
|---|---|
8.30am | Morning Coffee and Registration |
9.00am | Welcome by Ms Agnes Liew, Chairman of Caritas Singapore |
Opening Prayer and Morning Praise | |
‘Dignity of Life & Care for Soul’ A faith sharing by Friar Robin Toha, Order of Friars Minor. ‘I Am Because We Are’. How do we see the beauty and dignity of life? Are we all connected and dependent on one another? Why do we need to care for God's creation and people? | |
‘Care for Environment’ | |
Morning Break | |
‘Care for Culture’ and ‘Care for People’ | |
Panel Conversations – Dignity of Life, Care for All With Friar Robin Toha, OFM, Prof Christiana Zenner, Mr Eric Chua, Mr Samuel Ng and Ms Hannah Ng Moderated by Mr Joseph Teo How can we respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor? Our care for one another and the Earth are bound together. What should move us? How can we bring about a society that respects the dignity of all? How can the Church be a force for good? | |
12.30pm | Lunch and Activity |
2.00pm | ‘Care for All’ In this midst of the challenges of rising environmental issues and a changing world, how do we respond to those in need? Be inspired by people who have been serving those in need. Find out how together, we can put our faith in action to care for all. Concurrent Tracks: Breakout Track 1 – Care for The Marginalised Sharings and Conversations with:
Moderator: Ms Jennifer Marie, Director, Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives Singapore (CHARIS) How do we care for those on the margins of society? In an increasingly challenging world where opinions and judgements are easily and widely circulated, how do we advocate, include, support, empower and ensure that they are not left behind?
Breakout Track 2 – Care for The Elderly Sharings and Conversations with:
Moderator: Mr David Nayar, President, Catholic Lawyers Guild (CLG) What does the ‘Dignity of Life’ and the care for the Elderly look like? In a fast-ageing society, how can we be part of the solution to create an ecosystem of well-being, to love and care for our seniors? Breakout Track 3 – Care for Mental Health and The Youth Sharings and Conversations with:
Moderator: Ms Audrey Joy Tan, VP, Catholic Business Network (CBN) How can our youth truly see the beauty and dignity of life in themselves? In a world where children and youths are subjected to worries, pain, and stresses, how can we address issues of mental stress, separation, trauma and even abandonment to help our youth flourish in joy as our God intended them to be?
Breakout Track 4 – Care for The Environment Sharings and Conversations with:
Moderator: Mr Alvin Neo, Director, Caritas Singapore How can the Church take a more active role in caring for our environment in Singapore? In the midst of the challenging environmental issues, how can we be part of the movement, to be the force for good and stop indifference in our homes, workplaces, parishes, communities and society. |
Afternoon Tea Break | |
Closing Address by Dr Roland Yeow, Chairman of Social Mission Conference 2024. Insights from the conference. Where do we go from here? | |
4.30pm | Sunset Mass – Trinity Sunday Celebrated by Rev Fr Christopher Soh, SJ |
5.30pm | End of Conference |
Meet Our Speakers
Friar Robin Toha
order of friars minor
Friar Robin Toha was born and raised in Indonesia before he came to Singapore for university study. His initial plan was to complete his study and to work for five or six years before going back for good to his country of birth. However, the Lord had another plan.
During his university days, he did not only learn about engineering, but even more about faith, life, and vocation as a catholic.
After a very long process of discernment, he joined the Franciscan friars in 2014 and was ordained in 2022.
He is currently serving as the assistant parish priest in the Church of of St Mary of the Angels. Through his ministry, he hopes he will be able to help others to experience God's goodness in the ordinary daily life so that each of us can say that God is good, and so is our life.Professor Christiana Zenner
associate professor of theology, science, and ethics department of theology, fordham university
Christiana Zenner, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Theology, Science, and Ethics and Affiliated Faculty in Environmental Studies at Fordham University-Lincoln Center, New York City.
She is a scholar of science and religion, focusing especially the Catholic Church's tradition of social teaching, and its ecological turn. The author of Just Water: Theology, Ethics, and Fresh Water Crises (2014, rev. ed. 2018), Dr. Zenner is also co-editor of two volumes on bioethics, science and society, and sustainability. Her next book, Beyond Laudato Si', will be published in 2025, aligned with the tenth anniversary of the papal encyclical Laudato Si'.
Professor Zenner is currently engaged in an international, interdisciplinary project on Planetary Metaphysics through the Berggruen Institute.
Mr Eric Chua
senior PARLIAMENTARY secretary, ministry of social and family development & ministry of culture, community and youth
Mr Eric Chua is currently serving as Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Family Development, as well as the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. He previously served in the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs for 17 years before being elected into Parliament in July 2020.
Eric is a strong advocate of social mobility. He believes in the power of mentoring as a great leveller, particularly for youth from humbler family backgrounds.
He spent most of the past 15 years of community service working with youth, and have served as two-term Chairman for the People Association Youth Movement’s Central Youth Council, Chairman of the Cairnhill CC Youth Executive Committee for 10 years and as a two-term member of the National Youth Council. For his service to the youth community in Singapore, Eric was conferred the prestigious 2017 Excellent Youth Award and Meritorious Youth Awards (2010, 2012, 2017) by the People’s Association.
A dedicated community leader, Eric was most recently Chairman of the Cairnhill Community Club Management Committee (CCMC), Chairman of the Henderson Dawson Community Sports Club, and members of the Moulmein-Cairnhill and Henderson Dawson Citizens’ Consultative Committee.
Mr Samuel Ng, BBM
Founder | ceo of montfort care
Mr Samuel Ng, Founder and CEO of Montfort Care, has over 30 years of experience in the social service industry. He established Marine Parade Family Service Centre in 2000 to address community needs, which evolved to become the Montfort Care today, an organisation that offers services and programmes via Family Service centres, a Child Protection Specialist Centre, the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH), and Goodlife by Montfort Care that provides care for seniors.
Samuel has held numerous roles in community groups, such as District Councillor with South East Community Development Council, Board Member at Catholic Welfare Services (CWS), Management Committee Member of three CWS Nursing Homes, Advisory Panel Member for Social Work Education at Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Council Member of National Council on Problem Gambling.
His dedication to social service has earned him prestigious honors, such as the Outstanding Social Worker Award and the Public Service Star, as well as recognition as a trailblazer in the social service sector by the Ministry of Social and Family Development in early 2023.
Miss Hannah Ng
Graduate, Environmental Studies, Yale-NUS College
Miss Hannah Ng is a fresh graduate from the Environmental Studies programme at Yale-NUS College. She is particularly interested in the marine environment, coastal communities and questions around fisheries and development.
Apart from academics, Hannah also co-led the Inter-University Environmental Coalition (IUEC), is a part of the Climate Youth Development Programme and was a Youth Delegate to the COP28.
She was first drawn to environmentalism through a realisation of the importance of environmental stewardship after Pope Francis’ Laudato Si was introduced to her.
Mr Joseph Teo
Member, Caritas Singapore Care for Creation Committee
Mr Joseph Teo is a keen advocate of sustainability and climate action. He serves as a member of the Caritas Care for Creation Committee, Caritas Singapore, which aims to encourage all Catholics in Singapore to be good stewards of creation.
He is also Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change, where he has taken on key international appointments, including Co-Chairing the inaugural Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, which culminated with the successful adoption of the UAE Consensus at COP28 last year.
Joseph has also served as Singapore’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York from 2015-2018 where he has championed “Sanitation for All” at the UN.
Ms Agnes Liew
Chairman of Caritas Singapore
Ms Agnes Liew is a cradle Catholic who spent her formative years in a convent school. Agnes also served in Engaged Encounter and St Ignatius parish programmes in her earlier years. Agnes' personal journey has helped her develop a strong foundation of compassion and service to the community.
Her professional career as a Banker spanned 35 years where her expertise and leadership skills were honed through various professional challenges and achievements. Following her corporate retirement, she embraced entrepreneurship, showcasing her resilience and innovative spirit in pursuing new ventures.
In 2018, Agnes answered a profound calling to serve with Caritas, and from then she assumed the role of Finance Chair and then assumed the Chair of Caritas Singapore in 2023.
Dr Roland Yeow
chairman of social mission conference 2024
Dr Roland Yeow is a board of director of Caritas Singapore and chairman of the Social Mission Conference 2024.
He likes people to know him as a youth worker. Since he joined the social service sector in 2004, his passion has continued to evolve into non-profit management and leadership.
He is currently the Executive Director of Boys’ Town since 2018. His vision for the social service sector includes a key emphasis on strong organizational values and identifying and developing people who care for others.
He often uses a common quote when he shares: "There is not enough just to have a good heart. In this sector, we need people with strong hearts!
Rev Fr Christopher Soh, SJ
society of jesus
Rev Fr Christopher Soh, SJ belongs to the Malaysia-Singapore Region of the Society of Jesus, and is a member of Caritas Singapore’s Formation Committee.
Concurrent Breakout Tracks
Be inspired by individuals who have dedicated themselves to serving those in need and the environment.
There will be 4 concurrent breakout tracks, each led by professionals from their respective fields.
Let's come together and discover ways to put our faith into action and care for everyone.
Click on each Breakout Track to view the organisations represented on the panel.
Ticket Price
- Individual - $40 per pax
- Group - $100 for 3 pax
- Caritas Family Member Organisations - $20 per pax
- Clergy and religious – Complimentary
For those who require assistance, please email Gail at [email protected] or call 6338 3448 ext 3115.
Caritas Singapore is the official social and community arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore and a member of Caritas Internationalis. We are the umbrella body for over 20 Catholic charities and organisations whose work has touched the lives of many, regardless of race or religion. Join us in our social mission journey.
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