Encouraging youths to be involved in nation-building

1. Good morning everyone! It is my pleasure to be here this morning at the Chancellor's Challenge Shield Grand Finals. To our Chinese participants and members of the audience here, a very happy and healthy Chinese New Year as well. I am looking forward to seeing you compete at this competition, and hopefully I've time to listen to the lively discussions on the issues that you are concerned about.
   

More opportunities to be involved in nation-building

2. When we celebrated SG50 last year, we celebrated our achievements as a nation, looking at how far we've come. We also recognised the effort of our pioneers, who made possible what we have, what we are enjoying today. But SG50 also made us think about what more we can do, to make Singapore even better. Questions like how can we maintain our racial and religious harmony, amid increasing diversity in our society? Or how can we forge a stronger sense of what it means to be Singaporean? These are questions that young passionate Singaporeans like you can address. SG50 gave us the sense that more Singaporeans, especially our young people, want to be engaged on national and community issues. So we hear you, and the Government is creating more opportunities for you to be involved in nation-building.
   

Voice your ideas for a better Singapore

3. Let me just share two ways in which you can get involved immediately, in helping to build a stronger Singapore. Last November, we launched SGfuture engagements – these are focussed discussions on specific topics, such as the arts, sports, volunteerism and the environment. I've attended a few sessions since then, and will be at another one next Thursday, called “The Future of Changemaking”. So next week, we shall discuss ideas on how to solve some pressing challenges that we face today, challenges that we face in the society. And that's what we do at these sessions, sharing our thoughts on how to build a better Singapore. These are more than just discussions and ideas, because we hope that participants will also think about what we can do to take these ideas further, as projects together with the community, together with the Government. So I encourage you to take part in SGfuture – look up “SGfuture” on the Internet and find out details of various sessions that will be happening in the next few months. Sign up and play your part in shaping the Singapore we want for our future generations.
   

Encouraging youth volunteerism

4. So I mentioned two ways. The second way which you can get involved in making Singapore better is about pursuing the causes that you care for. The Government is prepared to support you in that area, in the form of the Youth Corps Singapore. This is organised by the National Youth Council, and it helps provide training in volunteerism and also matches youths with community needs. As a Youth Corps Singapore member, you will receive leadership training, and support to carry out projects that address community needs and social challenges, such as mental illness, environmental conservation, care for the elderly, and so on. So if you want to make a difference to our community, do consider joining Youth Corps Singapore.

5. So I do encourage you to consider these opportunities that will allow you to make a difference, and to shape the Singapore you want. In fact, by being at this competition today, whether as a participant, as an audience member, or as organisers, you have shown that you have an interest in the issues that Singapore and the world face. After today's competition, I hope you will keep this passion, this interest burning, and that you will take steps to make Singapore a better place for you and for others, because the future is ours, is yours to make, and I'm sure that you'll make Singapore a better place for everybody.

6. So with that, I wish all participants the very best in the Grand Finals. Thank you very much.