«Singapur, where everyone shares responsibility for living together» by Andrea Garcia Lario

What can we learn from Singapore?

The first thing that surprised me about Singapore was not the skyscrapers or the humidity, but something much more everyday: the way people interact with their surroundings and their city. Returning your tray after a meal, reserving a table at a hawker centre by leaving your phone or wallet in plain sight without worrying about it being stolen, respecting a queue… These small gestures reflect a much deeper idea: everyone shares responsibility for living together.

I believe this approach to living together begins with education. Singapore combines high academic standards with values such as respect and responsibility. It is no coincidence that its students consistently rank among the top performers in the PISA assessments. But this commitment to people does not end at school; it also extends into the workplace.

From my experience working in the corporate healthcaresector, these values of responsibility and collaboration are also evident. For an international company, access to highly skilled talent accustomed to working in a multicultural environment and within a stable framework is just as important as infrastructure. Rather than offering a model to copy, Singapore has taught me one key lesson: talent is developed through education and through the way a society chooses to live together.

How could we apply Singapore's model to Barcelona?

Barcelona and Catalonia already have all the ingredients needed to become a global hub: excellent universities, a strong industrial and scientific ecosystem, the capacity to innovate and good connections with Europe and the rest of the world. The challenge is to turn these strengths into projects with a lasting impact while supporting local talent.

How can we continue to foster value creation and the emergence of new businesses? I believe we need to make it easier for those who want to start a business, invest or grow a project: fewer administrative barriers, clear rules and stability. But we also need people with the right skills. Connecting universities, vocational education and training, and businesses, while making it easier for people to continue learning throughout their lives, should be a priority. Singapore does this, for example, through its SkillsFuture initiative.

And there is one thing I have learnt from living here: a city is shaped by the way its residents care for it and experience it. Singapore has a clear set of rules that are strictly enforced, but it also teaches people to take responsibility for shared spaces and resources. I believe Barcelona can learn from this combination and continue investing in its talent: it is people who make a city thrive.

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