Dr Arthur Beng, Chairman NCC Council,

National Cadet Corps Council Members,

Distinguished Guests,

Members of the NCC,

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to be here this morning to officiate at the Inauguration Ceremony of the 11th National Cadet Corps (NCC) Council.

The National Cadet Corps has a long and proud history dating back to 1901. Its mission is to complement the academic education of student cadets and help develop them into resourceful, resilient, responsible and loyal adult citizens of tomorrow. To this end, the NCC has always provided a wide range of learning and training activities for its cadets to achieve the goals set for them. These include shooting practices, drill, individual field craft, map-reading, topography march, camping, total defence programme, and civil defence programme. Cadets can also choose to attend Outward Bound courses locally or overseas, and outstanding cadets even get to attend mountaineering courses and glider courses in India. In addition, NCC Sea cadets have training in seamanship, sailing and scuba diving, while NCC Air cadets receive training in flying and aero-modelling.

That is a long list of exciting activities that would appeal to many young people�s sense of adventure. Furthermore, in the course of these activities, cadets learn values such as courage, discipline, confidence, and respect for authority. They also find opportunities for interaction and co-operation, especially when camping together and working collectively on joint projects. These activities provide much room for character development, leadership training and building esprit-de-corps.

As a matter of fact, many avenues for self-development are offered by all the uniformed groups in schools. In recent years, the eight uniformed groups (The 8 uniformed groups are (i) National Cadet Corps, (ii) National Police Cadet Corps, (iii) Scouts, (iv) Girl Guides, (v) Boys� Brigade, (vi) Girls� Brigade, (vii) St John Ambulance Brigade, (viii) Red Cross) have worked together in joint projects such as the Heritage Trail launched in 1997, and the Uniformed Groups Fund Raising Project in 1998. The uniformed groups have consistently worked at providing young people with opportunities to fulfil their potential for growth. In so doing, the groups are playing an important role in shaping the character and moral fibre of our people, and ultimately the effectiveness and dynamism of the nation.

This year, the total number of NCC cadets stands at about 13,300, out of a total of about 50,000 pupils in all the 8 uniformed groups in the secondary schools. In other words, the NCC membership is a quarter of the total uniformed groups membership. I would like to encourage more young people to join the NCC and the other uniformed groups so that they will get the benefit of an educational experience that facilitates character building and helps mould young people into robust, resilient and responsible adults. I also hope that parents will encourage their children�s participation in uniformed groups as the many healthy and meaningful activities will keep young people gainfully employed, and give them a sense of achievement. Indeed those who are keen on challenge, adventure and growth need look no further than what the uniformed groups in schools can offer them.

Like all other organisations, the NCC will continue to face many challenges in the future. The fast changing world environment, the IT revolution, changes in the lifestyle and aspirations of our youth�all of these will impact on the NCC movement. For example, the changing school environment and the concept of �Thinking Schools, Learning Nation� will make it necessary for the NCC as a school Uniformed Group, to examine its modus operandi in many areas in order to keep itself relevant. The challenge for the NCC is to continue providing interesting, challenging and relevant activities and programmes, in tandem with the expected changes, so that the NCC continues to attract young people interested in adventure and self-development.

Another challenge for the NCC is to motivate its members and staff to uphold its mission of developing young people into responsible and loyal adult citizens. I would like to congratulate the 11 members appointed to form the 11^th NCC Council who will lead and guide the NCC into the 21^st century. I would also like to thank all council members, past and present, for your invaluable service and contribution to the organisation.

In conclusion, may I congratulate the NCC for your vision and the effort you have put in to prepare and position your organisation for the challenges of the next millennium, through the NCC 21 Masterplan. I wish the NCC every success.

Thank you.