Some 300 gather for first Service Learning Symposium at SMU

About 300 students and teachers gathered at the Singapore Management University today for the inaugural Service Learning Symposium.

Students from secondary schools and pre-tertiary institutions broke into groups to discuss their community service experiences, generate new ideas for such projects and also current social issues here.

Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing was guest of honour. Speaking at the event, Mr Chan, who is also Senior Minister of State for Defence, encouraged participants to excel in the four As - awareness, analysis, applications, and alternatives.

Being aware of problems in the community, analysing these issues, applying solutions, and offering alternatives, are all ways to make society a better place, he said.

The message struck a chord with students such as Teo Jenin. Said the 14-year-old from Xinmin Secondary School: "It is something I never thought about but can be easily applied in our lives. It will benefit me in community service and life."

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