The Singapore Prize celebrates the power of individuals to impact our world. It recognises leaders of civil societies who, in pivotal moments, put the common good above their own interests. The ten shortlisted projects in 2021 showcase the diverse range of ways that leaders are working to transform our communities, and the human stories behind their initiatives. The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner in October. This year, the Prize will also be launched as an online platform for all to participate in, with a broader reach and global impact.
The prize is the first to recognise the holistic and sustained urban transformation of cities over a period of 10 to 20 years. The prestigious biennial international award, launched in 2009, has recognised 23 cities that showcase exemplary and inspiring stories of urban transformation. Our eBook chronicles the ten-year journey of the Prize, celebrating the passion of our Jury members and bringing together inspiring stories from cities around the world.
For the first time, the Singapore Literature Prize (abbreviated SLP) offered 12 top prizes of up to $10,000 each for the best works in Chinese, English and Malay, as well as an open category for a work that can be classified as either fiction or poetry. The winners included the literary pioneer Edwin Thumboo, Jee Leong Koh and rmaa cureess (Rama Suresh), all of whom won in the English category, and the nonagenarian Wang Gungwu for his work Suratman Markasan.
In keeping with its theme of sustainability, the SLP ceremony was a green affair, with William wearing a 10-year-old dark green suit by Alexander McQueen and his co-hosts sporting khakis from McCartney, known for its sustainable fashion. Other highlights of the night included performances by singers Bebe Rexha and One Republic, as well as the bands Bastille and Sterling K Brown.
The Singapore prize was established in memory of the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who is credited with building the nation into a successful green garden city. Since its inception, the Singapore Prize has honoured a number of prominent individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to the country.
Winners of the inaugural SGP were honoured at a Gala Dinner in November, with each winner receiving a cheque worth $30,000 as well as a custom-designed trophy. The event also featured a series of talks by the judges and finalists, as well as panel discussions. It is the only event of its kind in Asia to bring together leading private sector leaders, key government agencies and experts from all over the region. This year, the event was held in partnership with the World Economic Forum.