Stay united in values and identity while preserving diversity: Minister Edwin Tong’s Youth Month 2023 message
Minister Tong also shared that some youths have led ground-up initiatives to turn ideas into solutions for the community.
In commemoration of Youth Month, which falls in July, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong delivered a message on Youth Day (Sunday, Jul 2).
His message, which was posted on the National Youth Council’s (NYC) social media platforms, highlighted youths’ growing interest in having a more active role in shaping Singapore’s future.
This was noticed especially during the Forward SG exercise, where Mr Tong spoke to “over ten thousand” youths and heard of their wishes to create a more inclusive and united society in the country.
“Many of you have shown a deep interest to understand Singapore’s unique place in the world. Others have gone the extra mile to help those who are less fortunate,” he shared in his Youth Day message.
According to Mr Tong, this year also saw some youths leading ground-up initiatives aiming to provide solutions to community problems, as well as an increase in them wanting more involvement in developing policy recommendations.
In support of this increase of interest, the youth panels initiative was launched to provide youths with more opportunities to engage, learn and co-create policy recommendations with government officials.
It was also shared that throughout Youth Month, NYC will share more about how youths can get involved in serving the community, and will spotlight some that have done so in a unique way.
The Minister encouraged youths to stick together in their values and identity, while also preserving their diversity as a multi-cultural society.
“Our diversity is our strength. Together, we can build a future that leaves no one behind,” he added.
This was Mr Tong’s Youth Month message in full:
Happy Youth Day! Over the past year, I had many opportunities to speak to you as part of the Forward SG exercise. I asked you, as our future leaders, to think about how you will build on the success of our founding leaders to write the next chapter of the Singapore story.
Over ten thousand of you have shared about how you want to play an active part in shaping the future.
You have spoken passionately about an inclusive, united society – where every voice is heard and there are opportunities for all.
Many of you have shown a deep interest to understand Singapore’s unique place in the world. Others have gone the extra mile to help those who are less fortunate.
Some of you have led ground-up initiatives to turn your ideas into solutions for the community.
I launched the youth panels this year for youths to have a say in developing policy recommendations together with the Government.
Whilst we prepare to roll out the programme, the National Youth Council (NYC) has already seen a tremendous response from young Singaporeans expressing an interest to participate.
Throughout July, NYC will also be sharing about the different ways you can get involved in the community. NYC will also be spotlighting youths who have the heart to serve the community in their own unique way.
Underpinning all this is the importance of we can stay united in our values and identity, yet preserve our diversity in practices, cultures, and customs.
Our diversity is our strength. Together, we can build a future that leaves no one behind.
