Singapore’s Youth Charter was officially launched by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Mar 1), aiming to encourage young people to take a more proactive role in their community. The charter, developed after a 15-month outreach effort by the People’s Association Youth Movement, embodies the voices and aspirations of Singaporean youths.
Mr. Wong enthused during the launch event at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, “We have brought together all your key ideas into this Youth Charter. It brings together the ideas that emerged from these discussions, and it is your charter, written by you, for you.”
Emphasizing the significance of the charter as a blueprint for shaping a better future, Mr. Wong highlighted, “The charter is not just about words, it’s not just a document. It’s a call to action. It’s a blueprint to shape the community and the Singapore you want for yourselves and your future.”
The Youth Charter, consisting of 18 statements revolving around mental health, racial and religious harmony, as well as sustainability and the environment, was crafted based on the insights gathered from approximately 127,000 youths aged between 15 and 35 who participated in 212 conversations and focus group discussions.
Addressing the importance of youth engagement, the People’s Association (PA) expressed in a media release, “This builds on the engagement that was done in the Forward Singapore exercise to refresh the youth social compact with the government and understand the changing aspirations of youth today.”
Furthermore, a special SG60 PA Engagement Grant of up to S$3,000 (US$2,200) has been established to support community initiatives led by youths. Mr. Wong announced that each of the 95 PA Youth Networks will have access to this grant, fostering impactful community projects.
Encouraging the youth to play an active role in shaping Singapore’s future, Mr. Wong remarked, “From the beginning, Singapore’s survival was never assured. We started with very difficult circumstances, and we overcame tremendous adversity and obstacles.”
Underlining the resilient spirit of the youth, Mr. Wong shared stories of impactful community projects showcased at an exhibition, which included initiatives like tours to places of worship and workshops focused on building emotional resilience among children.
In an effort to promote volunteerism among the youth, Mr. Wong revealed that the PA Youth Movement (PAYM) aims to contribute a million volunteer hours this year. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and young Singaporeans in authoring the next chapter of the nation’s story.
Through initiatives like the Youth Charter and SG60 Grant, Singapore is fostering a community of empowered young individuals who are passionate about positive change and dedicated to building a better society for all.
