PM Wong launches PA Youth Charter for young people to organise impactful community projects
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PM Lawrence Wong (centre) interacting with young people on March 1 at the launch of the PA Youth Charter at the Future of Youth.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – A new youth charter has been launched to inspire and rally Singapore’s youth to take action on community issues they care about.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also the People’s Association’s (PA) chairman, launched the PA Youth Charter at the Future of Youth event on March 1 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
In conjunction with Singapore’s diamond jubilee or SG60, the PA is also introducing a new SG60 PA Engagement Grant.
The grant will see a quantum of up to $3,000 provided to each PA Youth Movement (PAYM) youth network for young people to lead projects on themes that resonate with them.
The PAYM, which was set up in 1971 to engage youth in meaningful pursuits, is committing one million volunteer hours in 2025 to conceptualise and organise ground-up community projects.
They will revolve around three issues: mental health, racial and religious harmony, and sustainability and the environment.
These themes were based on the feedback gathered from people aged 15 to 35 years old in the past 15 months through community events, focus group discussions and other forms of engagements.
PAYM received 127,000 pieces of suggestions, feedback and input.
The respondents included students, volunteers and activists in community and faith-based organisations, and civil society groups. Youth with disabilities and those in reformative training centres were also involved.
PM Wong said he believes the youth have the ideas and passion to make Singapore a better place.
Addressing more than 1,000 young people at the event, he said: “So, the charter is not just about words; it is not just a document. It is a call to action – it is a blueprint to shape the community and the Singapore you want for yourselves and your future.”
PM Wong added that the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council are planning to partner more young people to develop a broader plan.
He noted that Singapore’s survival was never assured from the beginning, but it overcame tremendous adversities and obstacles.
And it must brace itself for a bumpier ride ahead, he said.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (in black) at the launch of the PA Youth Charter at the Future of Youth at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. With him are Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong (second from left) Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary (left) and MP Xie Yao Quan (with the SG60 sign).
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Said PM Wong: “Looking ahead now, in our next phase, we can see dark clouds over the horizon. We can expect stormy weather in the world around us.”
But he added that Singapore can be confident of its future as it has overcome difficult times such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
It now has a stronger foundation, and a clearer roadmap through Forward Singapore – the agenda put together in consultation with all Singaporeans – and it has set out clear plans in Budget 2025
While the Government will do its part to secure Singapore’s future, it needs the support of the people to write the next chapter of its story, PM Wong added.
“So to all our young people, I say, Singapore’s future is not just something you inherit; it is something you will create through every action you take, starting today,” he said.
Dr Janil Puthucheary, chairman of the panel of advisers to the PAYM Council, and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, and Health, said the work started even before the launch of the Youth Charter.
He said that in the past year, there were already 375 youth-led projects involving about 4,000 volunteers. And about 240 youth organisations have signed up to support the charter, he said.
Besides the three themes, job opportunities is one other area that youth like Mr Avinaash Maravarman, 18, is concerned about.
The first-year Singapore Polytechnic aeronautical engineering student is assistant secretary of the Canberra Youth Network. He has been involved in beach clean-ups at Sembawang Park Beach.
He said: “The job market is evolving quickly, so many young people like me are worried if our education and skills will remain relevant in future, especially with global competition and the possibility of an economic downturn.”
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong (in red) and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary (in white) at the launch of the Youth Charter at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The aspiring pilot works part-time as a ground staff member for an airline company to gain industry experience.
A recent graduate employment survey
Besides job opportunities, Mr Joshua Khoo, 33, who suffers from skeletal dysplasia, is concerned about job discrimination.
The freelance photographer, who gave his feedback during the PAYM engagement exercise, said: “Because we look different, society may view those with special needs differently, or as being less capable.”
Mr Ng Shi Xuan, 35, vice-chairman of the MacPherson Youth Network, said the aim of the Youth Charter is to inspire young people to be change-makers.
He said: “If you look at schools and workplaces, they have very structured volunteering programmes. But with the youth networks, there is a third space where the youth can come out and explore their own projects, causes that they are passionate about.”
Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage.
