Do these names mean anything to you: Ho Hua Chew, Tan Chong Kee, Imran Tajudeen, Chua Ai Lin, Deirdre Moss?

Probably not, unless you have been active in the areas they champion.

That’s a pity because they were, and many still are, leaders of causes that have helped Singapore become a better, more progressive society, and not just a place to make a living.

Without them and others, there might have been no Sungei Buloh bird sanctuary, no active and independent voices to fight for the preservation of heritage buildings, awareness of acquired immune deficiency syndrome or Aids, prevention of cruelty to animals, and freedom of expression in theatre and the online media.

Are these issues important for Singapore?

On its own, each of them might not make a great difference, but the collective work of social activists is far greater than the sum of the individual parts.