National Youth Achievement Award Ceremony 2025

Ms Shie Yong Lee, Commissioner of Prisons,

Mr Bryan Tan Suan Tiu, Deputy Chairman, NYAA Council,

NYAA Advisory Board and Council Members,

Partners, Volunteers,

Award Recipients and Family Members,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

• Good afternoon. It is my true pleasure to be joining everybody at this year’s National Youth Achievement Award Ceremony.

• I’ve participated in quite a number of youth awards and ceremonies since I joined MCCY earlier this year. But today’s ceremony is especially meaningful.

  • Every year, this ceremony is a reminder that growth is not defined by the decisions that we made in the past, but by the decisions that we are making today to pave a better tomorrow.

  • Each award reflects the courage you have shown in taking the first step, and the belief shared by all of us that you will have the ability to develop to the best versions of yourselves.

  • So, a big round of applause to all the award recipients and the community who have been supporting them on this journey!

The NYAA Journey

• The NYAA programme was launched in 1992 and has provided youth leaders with opportunities to learn and build confidence through experience.

  • The programme encourages each participant to set goals, build skills, and contribute to others.

• This year also marks a very special milestone.

  • It is the 25th year of the NYAA programme within the Singapore Prison Service.

  • Since 2000, more than 2,400 trainees have participated in the programme, reflecting the Singapore Prison Service’s long-standing commitment to create purposeful opportunities for growth and renewal.

• Today, we recognise participants who have completed your NYAA journey this year.

  • You have dedicated time and energy to build new habits, support others, and explore your aspirations, while balancing challenges of your own.

  • You have worked together with your team members and overcome obstacles together, and taken pride in every step of progress, no matter how big or small.

  • These are efforts that strengthen character and shape growth.

Learning Through Action

• The NYAA programme is not about competition or comparison. It is about recognising that learning happens everywhere, when you open your mind and heart to it. So, you’ve got to be very proud of yourself for this!

• Throughout this journey, you have flourished through real, hands-on experiences.

  • Many of you have learnt new habits through the healthy lifestyle sports clinics, stepped up to support others in your community service projects, and experienced appreciation and aspirations at the workshops with Architects of Life, some of which were showcased at our Somerset Belt right in the heart of Singapore.

  • Through these experiences, you discovered that service begins with empathy, and resilience grows, especially in the moments we fall and choose to get back up. These are important values to carry on and follow through, wherever life leads you.

Connecting Hearts, Rebuilding Lives

• This year’s theme, “Connecting Hearts, Rebuilding Lives, Shaping Singapore Together”, captures the essence of NYAA.

  • It reminds us that personal growth and service go hand in hand.

  • When we grow, we are better able to give back to others.

  • And when we give, we develop a deeper sense of purpose.

• This is also the story of Singapore, where progress comes when we put the “we” before the “me” and work together for the common good.

• Every participant here has embodied this spirit.

  • Some of you have volunteered in projects to help others, while many of you have encouraged your peers along the journey.

  • It comes to show that contribution can take many forms, and it can happen in any point of your journey.

  • Every action matters, however small or however big.

Stories of Growth

• Even more important than the awards that we are giving out today is the story of transformation behind each one of them.

  • One such story is of Mr Fairizal, an NYAA alumnus of the 2007 cohort.

  • He once struggled with drugs, crime, and gang involvement.

  • He then made the difficult decision to turn his life around.

  • He persevered and worked his way to become an operations manager today.

  • He furthermore now gives back as an ISCOS¹ Titan, mentoring inmates, at-risk youth, and students – showing that one person’s renewal can inspire many others.

• Stories like Fairizal remind us that setbacks do not define us; it’s courage that does.

  • All of you here are living proof that change begins with a choice to take that a. All of you here are living proof that change begins with a choice to take that first and often uncomfortable step..

  • With every choice you make, I believe we will hear more stories of strength and renewal from you.

The Power of Second Chances

• The NYAA provides a structured pathway towards that renewal.

  • A path anchored on the belief that every young person deserves a chance to grow, to heal, and to start anew.

  • A path where effort leads to progress and reflection leads to change.

  • And it is this change we celebrate today – not perfection, but persistence. Not just achievement, but transformation.

The Role of Support and Partnership

• None of this happens alone.

  • Behind every awardee stands an entire community of people who believe in your potential.

    • To the NYAA Council and Advisory Board, thank you for your leadership and steadfast guidance.

    • To the Singapore Prison Service, thank you for creating an environment where growth and rehabilitation are possible, and where every participant is encouraged to succeed.

    • To the mentors, trainers, and volunteers, your patience and dedication shape these journeys of change.

    • Importantly, to the families and loved ones that are here today, thank you for your understanding, dedication, and commitment.

  • I would also like to thank the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Architects of Life, SportsCares, and the community volunteers who have supported our youth throughout the year.

  • Your belief gives strength to those rebuilding their lives.

• Partnerships like these remind us that rehabilitation can only work if we all come together.

• The Government will continue to collaborate with partners such as the NYAA and the Singapore Prison Service to support and uplift our young people across Singapore.

  • We want to ensure that every youth voice matters.

  • As part of SG60, we have been working with partners such as Architects of Life to engage our youth across Singapore, including reformative trainees, to co-develop the SG Youth Plan.

  • The SG Youth Plan is a five-year action plan made by youth, for youth, and supported by all of us in the community to empower our youth in Singapore to be confident about the future, connected with their communities, and make a difference to society.

Looking Ahead

• As we look into the future, it is this shared sense of responsibility – that belief that when one person grows, we all grow stronger together – that will carry Singapore forward.

• To our award recipients, this is a moment you can be proud of. We are all rooting for you and I hope that you will:

  • Carry lessons and values that have shaped you as you go through life;

  • Continue to set goals, treat yourself and others with kindness, and lead with integrity;

  • Remember that growth is not a single moment, but a habit that lasts a lifetime.

• Congratulations once again to all our award recipients.

• Thank you very much.