Policy platform for youth on the cards?

Youth Parliament a possibility as Govt considers avenues for young to debate public issues

By Tessa Wong & Teo Wan Gek, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2012

IMAGINE a Parliament comprising young Singaporeans, 'elected' by other young people to represent their needs and concerns.

Such a mechanism could well be on the cards, as the Government mulls over how the views of young people can be better represented in policy-making.

Last week, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing said his ministry would 'grow a community of youth representatives in their 20s and 30s from the people and private sectors'.

These representatives, he said during the parliamentary debate on his ministry's budget, would represent young people on national and community issues, and champion their causes.

He did not elaborate on the possible form of such a community.

But the ministry's senior parliamentary secretary, Mr Sam Tan, in a separate speech in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, proposed creating a Youth Parliament to let young people give their views on public policies and suggest ways to improve the country.

It will build cohesiveness and allow them to devote themselves to Singapore's future, he said.

Youth Parliaments exist in other countries in different permutations.

For instance, Britain's Youth Parliament has hundreds of representatives aged 11 to 18 from various boroughs around England, as well as Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The members, elected annually by peers in their neighbourhood, work with their local MPs to represent young people's views. They also meet once a year to debate and come up with a national campaign to champion. This year, they are calling for cheaper and more accessible public transport.

In Pakistan's Youth Parliament, members aged 18 to 29 are selected by a steering committee made up of current and former parliamentarians. They are then asked to choose between two mock parties - the liberal Blue party or the traditional Green party - and debate issues from their respective party platforms.

The call for a Youth Parliament in Singapore is not new.

In 2001, a national feedback group chaired by former nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan called for one, saying it would give young people a taste of the complexity of policy-making.

Last November, the Workers' Party Youth Wing held a forum on the topic and many participants said they were keen on having a Youth Parliament.

Various one-off mock Youth Parliaments have been held over the years, including one last month organised by the Government's feedback unit Reach and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Political Science Society. It saw about 100 students from tertiary institutions and junior colleges debate issues such as eldercare and tax policies.

Yesterday, the Ministry for Community Development Youth and Sports, when asked about the feasibility of having a Youth Parliament, told The Straits Times: 'A Youth Parliament is about providing young people with opportunities to express their views on issues that concern them and for them to be heard.

'It also serves as an educational tool for participants to develop an appreciation of the public policy-making process.'

The ministry pointed to existing initiatives that achieve these objectives, but added that there will be 'more opportunities for the youths to get involved in issues of concern'. It said more details will be available next month.

NUS political science student Darryl Lee, 22, who took part in last month's mock Parliament as the prime minister, said a permanent Youth Parliament could be a good idea. To ensure members play a bigger role in policy-making, he suggested they submit a set of policy recommendations to the Government after each sitting.

But NUS Students' Political Association president Soh Yi Da, 23, preferred the idea of a national youth convention, where members could volunteer to join instead of being elected or selected.

'It would be a very open and inclusive platform, where anyone can come in to table issues,' he said.

Group to be set up to speak for youth
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 10 Mar 2012

A community of youth representatives is to be set up soon to speak for their peers on national and community issues.

The group of people in their 20s and 30s from the private and public sectors will also champion youth causes.

Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing said yesterday that he is intent on getting the group going because the young are Singapore's future leaders.

'We need to give them the best shot they can have and lend them our shoulders to stand taller and see furthest so that they can take Singapore on the next lap to even greater heights,' he said in Parliament.

His ministry will help them develop a well-rounded understanding of national imperatives and policies, as well as community issues and needs, he added.

The National Youth Council, an arm of the People's Association, will put together this community, its deputy director of programmes and grants, Mr Samuel Tan, told The Straits Times yesterday.

Mr Tan declined to give any details but noted that the council is well-placed to do it.

'We launched an academy last year that trains youth leaders. We are also working with youth organisations to support them in terms of funding and networking,' he said.

Youth groups interviewed yesterday said it would be ideal for the proposed community to include people from a range of sectors and backgrounds to get a myriad of perspectives.

'It should not just include youth already active in community or grassroots work. We should get those on the sidelines, perhaps normal working professionals, involved as well,' said Mr Desmond Koh, executive director of The Boys' Brigade.

Mr Steven Lau, manager of Community Engagement Programmes at Outward Bound Singapore, wants the community to champion causes such as mentoring young people with at-risk behaviour and empower-ing youth with special needs.

But Mr Koh believes it is just as important to focus on developmental programmes for mainstream youth.

Ms Lina Chong, manager of Leadership and Personal Development at Nanyang Polytechnic, hopes the group will promote civic-mindedness and character building in the young.

'We live in such a fast-paced society that sometimes we forget to love,' said Ms Chong, who won the Asean Youth Award last year.