National Youth Council to be a national body to redouble efforts in championing youth development

1. The National Youth Council (NYC) will be restructured into an autonomous agency. The aim is to strengthen NYC as the national body coordinating holistic youth development. This is part of the Ministry’s plan to redouble its efforts to engage youth as announced by Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament during the Debate on the President’s Address.

2. The NYC, which is currently a division under the People’s Association (PA), will be taken out from under PA and placed directly under MCCY. To augment NYC’s role as a national youth developer, Outward Bound Singapore (OBS), with its forte in adventure-based experiential learning will become part of the strengthened NYC. The new NYC will be able to broaden its outreach to young Singaporeans and youth sector organisations for holistic youth development.   

3. Mr Wong, who is also Chairman of NYC said: “The restructuring of NYC will ensure better coherence and coordination in our youth development efforts. I envisage the revamped NYC as a national body to champion and oversee youth affairs. As the national coordinator for youth development programmes, the NYC will be a bridge that works with government agencies, community partners and youth sector organisations, both large and small, established and new, to drive holistic youth development.”

4. The restructured NYC will be in a stronger position to foster robust collaboration with partners in the private, people and public (3P) sectors, so as to better support youth engagement in the community. Some of the plans that are underway include:
   
   1. Deepening partnerships with the Ministry of Education and schools through the Community and Youth Leadership (CYL) schools programme, which aims to equip young Singaporeans with the skills and passion to create a better society;
   
   2. Reviewing *SCAPE to provide opportunities for youth from different backgrounds to congregate and support their aspirations;
   
   3. Partnering community and grassroots organisation, as well as the Social Service Offices in the respective neighbourhoods to match youths with the needs on the ground and meaningful volunteering opportunities in the community;
   
   4. Continuing engagement of volunteers through Youth Corps Singapore to build youth capacity through structured training programme to equip them with leadership and project management skills to support them in their respective causes and to create sustainable impact for the community.

5. These details were shared this afternoon by Mr Wong at the inaugural Singapore Youth Conference 2014. The Conference was attended by more than 500 representatives from Youth Sector Organisations, Youth Social Enterprises, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning, and key stakeholders from the public and private sector.

6. The new Youth Corps Singapore logo was also unveiled at the event. More than 90 youths of the pilot intake will begin the first phase of their training programme in mid-June, guided by the appointed community partners.

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
13 June 2014

About Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth seeks to inspire Singaporeans through the arts and sports, strengthen community bonds, and promote volunteerism and philanthropy. Since its inception in November 2012, MCCY has been actively engaging the arts, heritage, sports, community and youth sectors. The Ministry aims to bring into sharper focus the efforts to build a more cohesive and vibrant society, and to deepen a sense of identity and belonging to the nation. MCCY will work with its stakeholders to create an environment where Singaporeans can pursue their aspirations for a better quality of life and together, build a gracious and caring society we are proud to call home.

About the National Youth Council
At NYC, we believe in a world where young people are respected and heard, and have the ability to influence and make a difference to the world. Together with our partners, we develop a dynamic and engaging environment where young people are inspired to dream and committed to action. We hear youth >>> Here for youth. 

About Outward Bound Singapore
Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) is a centre of excellence for Outward Bound training, challenging young people to achieve their potential and become better citizens. OBS has received many awards for its work in character and leadership development. OBS has two centres: one on the island of Pulau Ubin; which is just off the north-eastern coast of Singapore and the other which is located on the east coast on mainland Singapore. Its Children (aged 10-14) and Family courses operate out of the Singapore centre and the Youth and Adult courses operate out of its centre on Pulau Ubin. OBS offers a wide range of courses lasting up to 21 days in duration and reach out to a broad spectrum of people. It runs one of the largest Outward Bound operations worldwide on a per centre basis with an annual throughput of about 20,000 participants and 90,000 training man-days.