We are the World
In 1985, 26 years ago, 47 prominent artistes in the USA came together to record a song co-written by Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie. That song was "We are the World".
Many of us born in the 1970s & prior, I'm sure we'll remember "We are the World". Who can forget such a song, such a wonderful gesture? What unity of purpose & spirit, such a strong solidarity --- of the 47 artistes coming together as "USA for Africa" and the heart-warming metaphor & image of "citizen of the world helping citizen of the world" --- in short, "We are the World".
In this Thought-of-The-Week entry titled We are the World, I want to make 3 important points.
One, "USA for Africa" is just like "Singaporeans for Singapore". Just like in 1985, when 47 artistes of different ethnicities, religions, ideological beliefs, artistic similarities or differences, philosophical & life perspectives came together as "USA for Africa", in 2011, 26 years later, in Singapore, we can have every Singaporean coming together with a common intent, with a unity of purpose & spirit, with strong solidarity, to help Singapore & Singaporeans --- I have in my mind a mental picture of Singaporeans helping Singapore & Singaporeans. A wonderful thought, and clearly doable. Why not?
Two, just like USA for Africa's song "We are the World" was a rallying cry to America & Americans, and the other citizens of the World to deepen their care & widen their actions for Africa & Africans, the One Dream Initiative will soon be unveiling a song by Singapore's very own Ling Kai http://www.lingmusic.com.sg/ to rally Singaporeans to deepen their care & widen their actions for Singapore & Singaporeans. Ling's song is aptly called "One Dream". As Leader of the One Dream Initiative, I had specially sought Ling out to pen & sing "One Dream" for all of us --- for Singapore & Singaporeans. "One Dream" is currently being professionally recorded. We can't wait to unveil this breathtakingly beautiful song to all of you...
Three, "We are the World" was a charity record and it sold 20,000,000+ copies around the world. Like "We are the World", Ling's "One Dream" will also be a charity CD, with all proceeds (every single cent!) going to charity, going to our One Dream 2011 Contest "War Chest". We are targetting a first print run of 5,000 copies which will be sold at S$20 (no gst!) each; and other than "One Dream", there will be another 4 wonderful songs, all composed & sung by Ling in her inimitable, heartfelt, moving, authentic style. What may these 4 other songs be? Have they been previously "showcased" by Ling? We'll keep you in suspense for a little while more...
Let me conclude this Thought-of-The-Week entry by saying that the One Dream 2011 Contest for all interested Singapore student teams will be launched very soon. Final details are currently being worked out, as is the publicity brochure for the contest.
"If you & your friends have SGD 5K, what is the "One Dream" you will most like to see fulfilled --- where you will give your best, where you will play energized, engaged, direct, involved roles, which represents your deepest passion --- to make Singapore a much better place, where everyone can live much better lives?"
