Youth Policy Forum

Opening Address by Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, at the Youth Policy Forum on 24 Aug 2024

1. Good afternoon.
2. We have come now to the 9-month milestone. The panellists have been hard at work. On top of regular school hours and work, they have been spending a lot of time in discussions, gaining in-depth understanding of each of the topics. They have done research and engagements, and worked very closely with government agencies and many stakeholders, to gain knowledge and insight, and think ahead about what they need to do for each of the panels.
3. I am very glad we have come to where we are today. There is more work to do, but the progress has been fantastic. I want to say a big thank you and good job for all the hard work that you have done.
4. The moment I walked into this room, I could feel the vibe, and the energy was infectious. I think this reflects the fact that there is a lot of active interest in each of the topics of the panels. 
5. There is also a very personal investment in what each of the panels is going to recommend, because each of their topics deeply affect us. This is a sign that our youths today want a place at the table to discuss policies that impact Singapore and Singaporeans, to make a difference for all of you. 
6. As PM shared at the National Day Rally just a few days ago: this is what it means to have a refreshed Singapore Dream.
   • A Singapore where there are opportunities for all of us. Where we are defined not only by how far we go, but also by where the last person is – making sure we are inclusive.
   • Where we have assurances, that with all the concerns we have around the world and the issues that we face, Singaporeans will be looked after at every life stage. That is a very firm commitment that PM has given to all of us.
7. The new social compact however is not just about receiving. It is one where we can come together to make sure that the whole in Singapore is greater than the sum of our parts.
   • We must be a society where citizens are prepared to come together and play a part like we have done in the panels, to work out the solutions together. Everyone has a role in this responsibility.
   • We in the Government don’t have a monopoly of good ideas. In fact, we often depend on different stakeholders to come forward and give us feedback and suggestions.
8. It is important for all of us to have the notion that it is not only for the Government to think of ideas or policies. It is for every one of us working together to give ideas and contribute, understand the trade-offs, and together chart a path forward.
9. The youth panels represent this idea of opening the space for new and fresh ideas to come forward for us to co-create together.
   • We launched the youth panels last year in November. And since then, many of you have been hard at work, trying to understand the issues, grapple with solutions, and think of innovative ideas.
10. I heard many innovative ideas earlier, and when I met the members of the different panels, I could feel the energy – they were so excited about what they wanted to share, I think it bodes very well for the future.
11. But more importantly, the panels are not just about what they themselves think. They wanted to make sure their ideas represent not just their views, but also the view of the broader public, especially youths in Singapore.
12. Collectively, the youth panels have engaged about 4,000 youths to get ideas and understand from a broad spectrum of youths what they think and what their daily experiences are in each of these topics.
13. There were also 30 in-depth focus group discussions, that helped the panels get to the heart of the matter, understand the solutions, and more importantly, understand how the recommendations will effectively make a difference in our lives and move Singapore forward.
    • I also hear that there was a lot of peer mentorship and support happening within each panel:
      • I saw those older, more experienced ones – those who have been working for a few years with some knowledge and experience – providing the younger ones with mentorship, assurance, and a safe space for them to express their ideas.
      • What we need in Singapore is a space for us to be confident about expressing our views and feel safe doing it, and not feel like our ideas are being ridiculed or not taken seriously. I’m glad we have mentors in each panel to provide that safe space for the younger ones. 
14. On the Government’s part, we are committed to partnering the Youth Panels on this journey.
15. This is an important process. I want to say few words of encouragement to the youth panel members for this last leg of journey:
    • It has been a lot of hard work, there have been challenges, twists and turns along the way, but from what I have seen so far and heard over the last few months, you should be very proud of yourselves.
    • I think this will be a project that years from now you will look back on and see that it didn’t just make a difference in certain sectors of our lives, but as a method of discussion and discourse that changed the way we look at policymaking in Singapore. And the involvement of young people in this will be here to stay.
16. Keep up the good work. I am excited to hear your ideas and recommendations taking shape, and we look forward to seeing the final products at the end of the year.

Shaping our Future Singapore, Together

17. Lastly, on how we have started the process of youth panels. We first thought about it some time ago and decided to open the space for youth panels.
    • As we announced the plans, we were also feeling our way around. We weren’t sure how exactly we were going to do this because it is after all a new idea.
    • So we learnt on the job, and we learnt from each of you. In the process, we adjusted along the way.
    • This experience has taught us that when we open more spaces, more people will feel empowered to come forward. It has taught us how to engage our citizens and youths better.
18. I am encouraged by all of you are here. I am very privileged and humbled to be speaking to all of you here today. On a Saturday afternoon, there are so many other things you could be doing, so many other places you can be at. But the fact that you have chosen to be here to support the panels, to be curious about what the panels are doing – it heartens me and gives me confidence that our young people today are not just invested in our future, but are prepared to step up, roll up their sleeves, and play a part in shaping Singapore’s future.
19. The Youth Panels is just one way you can do something. If you are not in the panels, let me say a few words about what else you can do. There is no idea too big, no effort too small. We want to move Singapore forward, and all of us have a role to play.
    • You could join the Youth Corps Singapore community to serve causes and communities you care about.
      • Last year alone, 6,000 youths volunteered for more than 250 initiatives locally and abroad. These are important initiatives because they help us understand from your perspectives who the underserved are and what causes we can better support.
    • Alternatively, if you have an idea for the community, you could form a team with friends or colleagues to take part in the Youth Action Challenge (YAC), which has supported more than 1,000 youths to develop over 280 initiatives.
      • Registration for the YAC is now open. If you have an idea to strengthen Singapore’s social fabric, enhance our multiculturalism, grow that little red dot, and have an influence not just in ASEAN, but in Asia, if not the world, then sign up for YAC.
    • Finally, one area that is very close to my heart, and which MCCY is championing, is Mentoring. I think we cannot have enough mentors to guide our youths, to show them the path forward, to encourage and rally them and to be their cheerleaders.
    • So if you have a skill or ability and willingness, come and serve as a mentor under Mentoring SG, our national mentoring movement. Many people can benefit from the experiences that you have. Our young people will stand on the shoulders of giants to reach even further and they in turn, when it is time for them to mentor, will pay it forward. And that’s how we bit by bit, step by step, build Singapore for a better tomorrow.
20. Let me end now by saying that, this Singapore we want to see in the future is not just a dream. Not just an aspiration, just something we see in our mind. It is for us to shape today. What you do today, every little bit, however big or small, will determine the kind of Singapore we will have in years to come.
21. That fills me with excitement because for once now we see that every little bit that we do will have a tangible nexus to an outcome that we will feel; and if it is long lasting, to an attitude that we will shape for Singapore. Not just for our generation, but your children’s generation and beyond. The kind of Singapore that we want to see in years to come, starts with every one of us.
22. On that note, thank you very much to everyone who has been working so hard on the youth panels. It is very meaningful, and I hope to be able to talk more about it when it is completed towards the year end.
23. We will also find platforms to allow these ideas to go into our policies, to be talked about at the highest levels including in Parliament, and have these ideas shape the kind of Singapore we see so that in years to come, when the youth today are a bit older, they can look back and see that this started with a youth panel that they were a part of. That will fill us with a lot of pride and emotion, and make us feel that this is really our Singapore.
24. Thank you very much.