Youth participation: share your thoughts

pikamaster SG

TODAY today

Rapid response from Govt
After 6 weeks of consultation, youths have channels to act on ideas

Tor Ching Li
[email protected]

BARELY three weeks have passed since the conclusion of the six-week nation-wide consultation exercise with Singapore youths on how they wanted to paint their future. Yet in a pace not seen in previous feedback exercises, almost immediate action has been taken to build on the ideas proposed by some 2,100 youths through focus groups, forums and various channels over the last two months.
.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), four youth workgroups have been formed and three projects completely run by youths taken off all complete with a workplan, time-frame and resource teams put in place.
.
Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for MCYS, who was tasked to lead the consultation exercise with fellow parliamentary colleagues, Dr Chong Weng Chiew and Ms Penny Low, said: "We want to make sure young people, with their energies, feel empowered to do something about their ideas rather than just expect the Government or other organisations to take on their ideas."
.
He was speaking at a press conference to announce these follow-up measures and projects along with findings from the consultation exercise aimed at engaging post-independence Singaporeans to share their views and visions.
.
Four workgroups have been set up for youths to flesh out the ideas collected during the process into programme proposals or policy changes. Categorised under the broad spectrums of volunteerism, national awareness, equal opportunities and entrepreneurship, they will also serve as a channel for more ideas to flow in.
.
Those who have participated in the first phase will be invited to sign up. The doors are also open to any other individual with relevant experience or interests.
.
Dr Maliki said this "sincere" process allows youths a stronger say in the development of programmes and policies.
.
Dr Chong agreed: "By involving youths in the remodelling process after getting their feedback, we want them to take ownership of their ideas and opinion."
.
Starting now, the workgroups will discuss various projects and proposals that will be presented to the Government in mid-January next year. By March or April next year, the Government will make known its responses to the workgroup recommendations and ideas.
.
Dr Maliki, Dr Chong and Ms Low will help to facilitate and open doors for the youth activists to meet relevant people in order to get better ideas or broaden their perspectives.
.
The workgroups have resource teams made up of various ministries, individuals and organisations such as the People's Association Youth Movement, Heartware Network and Mendaki to tap on for any information or help they may require.
.
For example, in the Youth Biz group which is tasked to promote business skills and social entrepreneurship Ms Elim Chew and Mr Douglas Foo will help define and steer its agenda, and provide contacts and networks.
.
And while more ideas are being worked on, three projects that were "ready to go" were sent off immediately. These included a skateboarding and in-line skating competition-cum-workshop and a mentoring scheme to help secondary schools design meaningful community-service activities.
.
Dr Maliki said he was heartened by the responses received in the six weeks during which he and his team interacted with under-39s from varying backgrounds including working adults, youth offenders, the disabled, singles and parents.
.
"I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm that the youths have shown and the energy they have generated through this six-week process. They are very honest, genuine and interested in telling us their visions and dreams," he said.
.
"Not just that but also what can be done to make these dreams and visions a reality. So this speaks well for the young people that we've met." Moving on, it is equally important that the youths go through the "process of deliberation" so that they understand why certain ideas are acceptable or feasible, and others not.
.
"Our message to young people is never stop at the idea stage. Never say that things cannot be done. If previously, they had experiences where their ideas did not materialise; they should revisit that idea, look at the options available and, basically, act on it," said Dr Maliki.
After 6 weeks of consultation, youths have channels to act on ideas

Tor Ching Li
[email protected]

BARELY three weeks have passed since the conclusion of the six-week nation-wide consultation exercise with Singapore youths on how they wanted to paint their future. Yet in a pace not seen in previous feedback exercises, almost immediate action has been taken to build on the ideas proposed by some 2,100 youths through focus groups, forums and various channels over the last two months.
.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), four youth workgroups have been formed and three projects completely run by youths taken off all complete with a workplan, time-frame and resource teams put in place.
.
Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for MCYS, who was tasked to lead the consultation exercise with fellow parliamentary colleagues, Dr Chong Weng Chiew and Ms Penny Low, said: "We want to make sure young people, with their energies, feel empowered to do something about their ideas rather than just expect the Government or other organisations to take on their ideas."
.
He was speaking at a press conference to announce these follow-up measures and projects along with findings from the consultation exercise aimed at engaging post-independence Singaporeans to share their views and visions.
.
Four workgroups have been set up for youths to flesh out the ideas collected during the process into programme proposals or policy changes. Categorised under the broad spectrums of volunteerism, national awareness, equal opportunities and entrepreneurship, they will also serve as a channel for more ideas to flow in.
.
Those who have participated in the first phase will be invited to sign up. The doors are also open to any other individual with relevant experience or interests.
.
Dr Maliki said this "sincere" process allows youths a stronger say in the development of programmes and policies.
.
Dr Chong agreed: "By involving youths in the remodelling process after getting their feedback, we want them to take ownership of their ideas and opinion."
.
Starting now, the workgroups will discuss various projects and proposals that will be presented to the Government in mid-January next year. By March or April next year, the Government will make known its responses to the workgroup recommendations and ideas.
.
Dr Maliki, Dr Chong and Ms Low will help to facilitate and open doors for the youth activists to meet relevant people in order to get better ideas or broaden their perspectives.
.
The workgroups have resource teams made up of various ministries, individuals and organisations such as the People's Association Youth Movement, Heartware Network and Mendaki to tap on for any information or help they may require.
.
For example, in the Youth Biz group which is tasked to promote business skills and social entrepreneurship Ms Elim Chew and Mr Douglas Foo will help define and steer its agenda, and provide contacts and networks.
.
And while more ideas are being worked on, three projects that were "ready to go" were sent off immediately. These included a skateboarding and in-line skating competition-cum-workshop and a mentoring scheme to help secondary schools design meaningful community-service activities.
.
Dr Maliki said he was heartened by the responses received in the six weeks during which he and his team interacted with under-39s from varying backgrounds including working adults, youth offenders, the disabled, singles and parents.
.
"I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm that the youths have shown and the energy they have generated through this six-week process. They are very honest, genuine and interested in telling us their visions and dreams," he said.
.
"Not just that but also what can be done to make these dreams and visions a reality. So this speaks well for the young people that we've met." Moving on, it is equally important that the youths go through the "process of deliberation" so that they understand why certain ideas are acceptable or feasible, and others not.
.
"Our message to young people is never stop at the idea stage. Never say that things cannot be done. If previously, they had experiences where their ideas did not materialise; they should revisit that idea, look at the options available and, basically, act on it," said Dr Maliki. After 6 weeks of consultation, youths have channels to act on ideas

Tor Ching Li
[email protected]

BARELY three weeks have passed since the conclusion of the six-week nation-wide consultation exercise with Singapore youths on how they wanted to paint their future. Yet in a pace not seen in previous feedback exercises, almost immediate action has been taken to build on the ideas proposed by some 2,100 youths through focus groups, forums and various channels over the last two months.
.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), four youth workgroups have been formed and three projects completely run by youths taken off all complete with a workplan, time-frame and resource teams put in place.
.
Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for MCYS, who was tasked to lead the consultation exercise with fellow parliamentary colleagues, Dr Chong Weng Chiew and Ms Penny Low, said: "We want to make sure young people, with their energies, feel empowered to do something about their ideas rather than just expect the Government or other organisations to take on their ideas."
.
He was speaking at a press conference to announce these follow-up measures and projects along with findings from the consultation exercise aimed at engaging post-independence Singaporeans to share their views and visions.
.
Four workgroups have been set up for youths to flesh out the ideas collected during the process into programme proposals or policy changes. Categorised under the broad spectrums of volunteerism, national awareness, equal opportunities and entrepreneurship, they will also serve as a channel for more ideas to flow in.
.
Those who have participated in the first phase will be invited to sign up. The doors are also open to any other individual with relevant experience or interests.
.
Dr Maliki said this "sincere" process allows youths a stronger say in the development of programmes and policies.
.
Dr Chong agreed: "By involving youths in the remodelling process after getting their feedback, we want them to take ownership of their ideas and opinion."
.
Starting now, the workgroups will discuss various projects and proposals that will be presented to the Government in mid-January next year. By March or April next year, the Government will make known its responses to the workgroup recommendations and ideas.
.
Dr Maliki, Dr Chong and Ms Low will help to facilitate and open doors for the youth activists to meet relevant people in order to get better ideas or broaden their perspectives.
.
The workgroups have resource teams made up of various ministries, individuals and organisations such as the People's Association Youth Movement, Heartware Network and Mendaki to tap on for any information or help they may require.
.
For example, in the Youth Biz group which is tasked to promote business skills and social entrepreneurship Ms Elim Chew and Mr Douglas Foo will help define and steer its agenda, and provide contacts and networks.
.
And while more ideas are being worked on, three projects that were "ready to go" were sent off immediately. These included a skateboarding and in-line skating competition-cum-workshop and a mentoring scheme to help secondary schools design meaningful community-service activities.
.
Dr Maliki said he was heartened by the responses received in the six weeks during which he and his team interacted with under-39s from varying backgrounds including working adults, youth offenders, the disabled, singles and parents.
.
"I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm that the youths have shown and the energy they have generated through this six-week process. They are very honest, genuine and interested in telling us their visions and dreams," he said.
.
"Not just that but also what can be done to make these dreams and visions a reality. So this speaks well for the young people that we've met." Moving on, it is equally important that the youths go through the "process of deliberation" so that they understand why certain ideas are acceptable or feasible, and others not.
.
"Our message to young people is never stop at the idea stage. Never say that things cannot be done. If previously, they had experiences where their ideas did not materialise; they should revisit that idea, look at the options available and, basically, act on it," said Dr Maliki. After 6 weeks of consultation, youths have channels to act on ideas

Tor Ching Li
[email protected]

BARELY three weeks have passed since the conclusion of the six-week nation-wide consultation exercise with Singapore youths on how they wanted to paint their future. Yet in a pace not seen in previous feedback exercises, almost immediate action has been taken to build on the ideas proposed by some 2,100 youths through focus groups, forums and various channels over the last two months.
.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), four youth workgroups have been formed and three projects completely run by youths taken off all complete with a workplan, time-frame and resource teams put in place.
.
Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for MCYS, who was tasked to lead the consultation exercise with fellow parliamentary colleagues, Dr Chong Weng Chiew and Ms Penny Low, said: "We want to make sure young people, with their energies, feel empowered to do something about their ideas rather than just expect the Government or other organisations to take on their ideas."
.
He was speaking at a press conference to announce these follow-up measures and projects along with findings from the consultation exercise aimed at engaging post-independence Singaporeans to share their views and visions.
.
Four workgroups have been set up for youths to flesh out the ideas collected during the process into programme proposals or policy changes. Categorised under the broad spectrums of volunteerism, national awareness, equal opportunities and entrepreneurship, they will also serve as a channel for more ideas to flow in.
.
Those who have participated in the first phase will be invited to sign up. The doors are also open to any other individual with relevant experience or interests.
.
Dr Maliki said this "sincere" process allows youths a stronger say in the development of programmes and policies.
.
Dr Chong agreed: "By involving youths in the remodelling process after getting their feedback, we want them to take ownership of their ideas and opinion."
.
Starting now, the workgroups will discuss various projects and proposals that will be presented to the Government in mid-January next year. By March or April next year, the Government will make known its responses to the workgroup recommendations and ideas.
.
Dr Maliki, Dr Chong and Ms Low will help to facilitate and open doors for the youth activists to meet relevant people in order to get better ideas or broaden their perspectives.
.
The workgroups have resource teams made up of various ministries, individuals and organisations such as the People's Association Youth Movement, Heartware Network and Mendaki to tap on for any information or help they may require.
.
For example, in the Youth Biz group which is tasked to promote business skills and social entrepreneurship Ms Elim Chew and Mr Douglas Foo will help define and steer its agenda, and provide contacts and networks.
.
And while more ideas are being worked on, three projects that were "ready to go" were sent off immediately. These included a skateboarding and in-line skating competition-cum-workshop and a mentoring scheme to help secondary schools design meaningful community-service activities.
.
Dr Maliki said he was heartened by the responses received in the six weeks during which he and his team interacted with under-39s from varying backgrounds including working adults, youth offenders, the disabled, singles and parents.
.
"I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm that the youths have shown and the energy they have generated through this six-week process. They are very honest, genuine and interested in telling us their visions and dreams," he said.
.
"Not just that but also what can be done to make these dreams and visions a reality. So this speaks well for the young people that we've met." Moving on, it is equally important that the youths go through the "process of deliberation" so that they understand why certain ideas are acceptable or feasible, and others not.
.
"Our message to young people is never stop at the idea stage. Never say that things cannot be done. If previously, they had experiences where their ideas did not materialise; they should revisit that idea, look at the options available and, basically, act on it," said Dr Maliki.

For me,

I think that Mr Maliki sounds very sincere, but that the real litmus test will come next year when the ideas are proposed at parliament, because I think that it is very unlikely for parliament to accept some of the ideas in their full detail. Then, we will see the reaction of those "enthusiastic youth". As always, it is two hands that make a clap: the youth have volunteered suggestions, now it is time for the govt to act on those suggestions.

the hopeful pikamaster

fymk SG

Been to those kind of forums before , from then onwards I never did express my views because once I was told not to express it outside the hall or anywhere else.
Government can say they want youth volunteered suggestions along long time ago like one of THEIR people say "young people must talk before they think, so that we have spontaneous ideas"- I gave mine and resulted in my ic/name written down.

pikamaster SG

well, i didn't know you had such an experience...hey, perhaps you'll like to describe to me (and anyone else who is reading this thread) what it was like at those forums.

the pikamaster

robertteh SG

When the Remaking Singapore Committee was set up, the Minister of State Dr. Vivien Balakrishnan said many encouraging things like there will be remaking of many things and big changes will be coming your way and new ideas will be implemented to change the past ways of doing things.

If one is to look at the subsequent recommendations of the RSC, most of them are cosmetic changes without remaking of anything substantial and many of the past policies affecting costs, elitism and loss of economic competitiveness remain unchanged.

The litmus test, I agree is in the details or implementation stage. Youths will have to see if their ideas will be taken up and laws introduced in parliaments to approve what they are asking for. Idea Idea Idea

skyfoo SG

I believe that they are just trying to attract more youths to politics.

EmptyCage SG

The strategy is this -- the PAP constantly faces the threat of competition of youths coming of age and becoming politically aware being drawn to WP or other opposition parties.

So they create a lot of competition to draw such youths who may go to opposition -- make PAP look 'diverse' so disbelievers will join them then kena brainwash, create feedback units, Singapore 21, RSC, make PA grassroots more functional, NMPs. If they brainwash successfully, they have another additional person. If not, by the time these people wake up and get disillusioned, their youth days will almost be over and they will be facing the career that they have to pursue.

And if PAP keep repeating this tactic for generations, they can stay in power forever.

EmptyCage

fymk SG

It was about 5 years ago or maybe 6 - cannot remember. Poly forum I think it was called
First , u meet the guest MPS ...then they mingle around the group and talk about issues. Like any conference. Mine was 2. The first one (let's call him MP1) was a very nice guy. The second one (MP2) was telling every young persons in my group " You must speak before you think - that's where ideas are generated". Then u mingle until they lead the guest MPs into the hall and declare it open

Now u proceed to the forum ....they open with a speech . Then q&A sessions start. We queue at any available microphone stands and then the MPs pick which one to start the ball rolling. At first there won't be much competition for the stands. People will start with questions regarding the theme of the forum and some will voice support , some will voice dissent while some will just ask what is going on. You have 5 minutes to say what u want.

I think the forum was about 2hrs. I was the 4th speaker . At first I started voicing some inadequacies in their policies ... ....MP1 was listening and he seem to be joting some points , he smiled and asked me how it can be improved and questions to clarify. I suggested some pointers which suddenly MP2 jumped in and started a sort of questioning regime which seem more like an interrogation rather than an open discussion. So of course being a student and naive then , I was not afraid to fling his comments back into his face. MP1 interjected and said he wanted to know what I think . I ignored MP2 and gave my views . MP2 jumped in again and questioned me like he was interrogating me . Finally I got so fed up , so I dropped all diplomatic tones and went on a rampage about the weakpoints of what he had said. Other students were getting stirred up and some were yelling yeah , some were clapping . So MP2 got so cheesed off and asked me for my ic/name which I did give him and I asked him if he also wanted my address. MP1 was trying to stiffle his laughter by covering the mouth. I was the only one who took approx 15 mins .

Following me , the students started to ask questions similar to mine - some were to the stage of flaming ....some were asking reasonably .

Then the end of the forum, you mingle again. Some people came and said they agree with me . One student however told me that I had guts but I should think why MP2 took my ic/name down - along the lines of I am in trouble thing. MP2 came up to me , his face quite black , shook my hands and said " we had a good discussion" , his smile look more like a smirk. After he left , MP1 came up and chatted with me the finer details of what I think and said he would look into it.

That was my first forum experience which was followed by several. In the other forums , Some Ministers/MPs give u a run around the question or say there is not enough time to answer your question if u diplomatically ask them to come straight to the point. Some give very good and reasoned answers. But the first one was the most memorable one. That was the first and last time I heard my ic/name was being written down.

I only know this MP2 is a minister now. So that is why I don't want to mention his name

fymk SG

hrm

pikamaster SG

to their politics, i suppose, to be more exact.

shade343 SG

All this talk about the government asking youths to participate in politics is just plain BS. From fymk’s experience, it is not surprising that today’s youth are ignorant about local politics. Who wants to speak up if ic/name is goin to be written down?

PerfectlyGreen SG

I have met many young aspiring individuals who would rather sit in the crowd than go beyond their comfort zone to have their thoughts heard. Singapore's education siphons our creativity. It's in our culture to sit back and absorb whatever is given to us and question none.

How are we able to participate in politics if we are ignorant about such matters and futhermore backup our arguments with substanial evidence? How many of us have public speaking experience and can bondly address our doubts and queries to the panel?

I was pretty shocked that they actually took down your ic/name, fymk. However, I would urge youth individuals to go all out in order to make their thoughts hear. Seriously, I ponder how protected can you feel in Singapore. Even through online discussions like these....

pikamaster SG

i agree wholeheartedly.

Although,of course, i suppose the govt will defend its decision by stating that their taking down of personal details is to prove the validity of their comments, just like the Straits Times justifies that similar policy.

But at the same time perfectlyGreen, i daresay that some parents may be at fault for contributing to this apathy as well. FOr example, last year, newly-sworn-in chief of the WP Sylvia Lim revealed in an interview by the ST
that her parents had consistently scolded her and railed at her when she informed them that she had been selected for her role. Apparently, her parents did not want her to parttake in politics. And unfortunately, in our culture, letting thoughts be heard by teh government is nearly identical to parttaking in politics.

Always remember, politics is perception.

the pikamaster