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Mr Richard Seow, Chairman of the Fathers Action Network (FAN), updated on the good progress of the movement through a video presentation on the key milestone achievements. He then outlined focus areas for the coming year.
4C Formula for Success
Mr Seow shared the DFL movement's 4C formula for success:
• Celebration
In the two-year DFL journey, the movement has encountered numerous active fathers and children with inspiring stories of the positive impact of father involvement in their lives. “We want, therefore, to take the time to find ways in which we can create more platforms for people to share their fatherhood stories so as to inspire others along the journey of fatherhood,” he said.
• Community – Localising it!
Another key initiative in the coming year would be efforts to strengthen outreach to non-English speaking communities. Mr Seow announced efforts to translate the movement's materials into Chinese, Malay and Tamil to reach out to more fathers. The annual DFL Conference will also include speakers and discussion in other languages to address community-specific issues.
• Communities – Blending them!
The movement will explore ways of integrating the various communities to share knowledge and facilitate cross-collaboration among partner agencies to better support fathers and families in need.
• Commitment – Strengthening it!
Mr Seow announced the new partnership with the Pontiac Land Group which will allow the movement to promote the fathering message via its employees, office and retail tenants. Venue sponsor, Millenia Walk, will also host a variety of DFL outreach and public education events in the coming year.
Fathering the Fatherless
As the Network continues to promote its core message of involved fatherhood, it will also explore initiatives to support children without fathers or positive male role models. It will study and explore the development of programmes such as the “Big Brother” initiative or Father Mentor groups, which have gained some success internationally.
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The Fuchun Primary School orchestra performs.
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Members of the Fathers Action Network pose for a photo with Mr Sam Tan, Guest of Honour.
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Invitees enjoying the food and entertainment, and a family moment.
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The kite making session at the end of the programme gave this father and son a chance to get hands-on.
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Fathers Action Network Workgroups
To ensure depth in focus on the various issues and programmes, the Network intends to invite relevant stakeholders to establish nine workgroups, covering issues spanning father-friendly social service interventions; at-risk communities including the fatherless; special needs groups; media and communications; Fathers@Schools; Dads@Workplaces; community outreach; research and sports. Workgroup members will serve as resource points, community mobilisers and father advocates within the designated interest areas.
In closing, Mr Seow thanked all partners who have been instrumental in the success of the movement so far.
Strengthening Programmes through Collaboration
Echoing Mr Seow in his Thank You remarks, Mr Sam Tan highlighted the holistic approach of the DFL movement in the last two years. “It is therefore inspiring to see how the DFL movement has involved and impacted not just fathers and children, but mothers, researchers, community partners and employers as well,” he said. He said that this success was only possible through commitment and collaboration of the various stakeholders in the movement.
Mr Tan then presented tokens of appreciation to the members of the FAN. The luncheon included performances by the Fuchun Primary School orchestra and a play on fatherhood by youth from Act 3 International. It concluded with a kite-making segment to encourage bonding activities between fathers and children.
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
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