By Chan Luo Er, Channel NewsAsia, 10 Apr 2015
The first of 50 conversations with youths to mark the nation's Golden Jubilee was held on Friday (Apr 10).
Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong said the aim is to get youths to start thinking about the challenges that they will be facing in the next 50 years.
"You talk to young people and they say everything has been done by our pioneers and there is nothing else to do. But that is not quite true. Fifty years ago, you may say we have no water security; you say now we have solved our water problems, we are self-sufficient - but we are still resource-constrained. We are still vulnerable in many ways and vulnerable to many other new security threats,” he said.
Mr Wong added: "For example, 50 years ago, we had no homes. Now, we have HDB flats. Yes, we may have HDB flats for every Singaporean today but there are still challenges with regard to growing income and wealth inequalities.
"Fifty years ago, we had communal riots and tensions and you say: ‘Okay, that has been solved and today we have peace and harmony in a multi-racial society.’ But yet, we are also seeing emerging social fault lines and divides that threaten our cohesiveness. So if you think about this, there are still many challenges we face.”
More than 90 youths took part in the dialogue on Friday. It was facilitated by Nominated Member of Parliament Kuik Shiao-Yin, managing director of Timbre Music Group Mr Edward Chia, as well as Minister Wong.
Youths also penned their thoughts and aspirations on cards, which will be showcased at an exhibition to be held from November this year.
Youths also penned their thoughts and aspirations on cards, which will be showcased at an exhibition to be held from November this year.
Those who would like to share their ideas for Singapore's future can email them to nyc_enquiries@nyc.gov.sg. Updates on future engagement sessions will be on the National Youth Council's Facebook page.
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Posted by National Youth Council, Singapore on Friday, April 10, 2015
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