National Orange Ribbon Celebrations to spread YOG spirit
By Jessica Yeo, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 July 2009 2056 hrs

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SINGAPORE: This year's National Orange Ribbon Celebrations kicked off on Wednesday with the tagline "Many Races, One Gracious Community".

The month-long event, now in its second year, commemorates racial and religious harmony on a national level.

It is organised by OnePeople.sg, the five community development councils, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, People's Association and five self-help groups.

This time, the event will also be used as a means to garner awareness about the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) next year.

The Orange Ribbon Pledge drive seeks to collect 201,000 pledges from the public on their personal commitments to live graciously and in harmony as a society - values in line with the Olympic spirit.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Teo Ser Luck, said: "One of the first emails after we had our successful bid came from MM Lee (Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew), and he wanted YOG to be able to generate a certain positive culture within the community as well, very much about graciousness and harmony."

- CNA/yt