Opening Remarks at The Trampoline Launch

Good evening.

1. It is so good to see everyone here at the launch of The Trampoline tonight. Thank you, Clarence, for inviting me, especially for the fireside chat later.

Youths Today

2. At any such fireside chat or dialogue one of the most common questions I receive is “how do the youths today measure up to the generation before them?”.

3. And I usually answer the question with a question which is, “What do you think the generation before you said about you?”

4. While it is common for each generation to think that the next generation does not measure up to them. After all, every generation thinks they had it tough, and we are trying to compare a generation that is starting out, with a generation that is much further along.

5. The reality is every generation faces its own unique challenges, and every generation will have to rise above, and we can overcome those challenges, if we come together as friends, as a community, and as a nation.

6. The youths of 1965, had to make a choice. They have to choose between whether to be part of a newly independent Singapore, or to cast their lot elsewhere.

7. But because they chose to be Singaporeans, and to build this place that we call home, today we stand – at SG60 – on a much stronger foundation. From mud-flats to metropolis.

8. And it is my belief that our youths of today, all of you, will similarly overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow, and take us forward stronger, onto SG75, and SG100.

9. A key priority for me as Ag Minister therefore, is to enable our youths to have the conviction and confidence to pursue their diverse aspirations.  

10. That is why the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Youth Council (NYC), together with our  partners, are consulting widely with youths and partners, to develop a SG Youth Plan – which is a five-year action plan -- to empower youths to develop to the fullest of their potential and to achieve their aspirations. In the first half of this year, we have engaged over 6300 youths.

Supporting Youths as Changemakers

11. What we have heard through our engagements is most inspiring. Youths want to contribute back to the community and make a difference.

    1. They are passionate about issues such as sustainability, inclusivity, and mental well-being.

    2. And are willing to take action to contribute to these areas.

12. This corresponds to NYC’s National Youth Survey 2023 which reveals that:

    1. Over 8 in 10 youths find “contribute to society” and “help the less fortunate” to be important life goals.

    2. About 70% of youths are willing to personally contribute back to provide support to vulnerable communities through ad-hoc volunteering.

13. So I think this generation of youths inspires us in their own ways. Not least, in terms of challenging us to redefine success and to define it to be broader.

14. Success need not just be about academic or career success. Our youths show us that success is about being able to put “We” before “Me”. Our youths believe in serving a larger good, have the boldness to pursue their dreams and the resilience to bounce back from difficulties. And they, in time to come, will be the shining role models of success for SG100.

Lauch of The Trampoline

15. And I see many of these role models of success this evening, here at this launch. The Trampoline is one example of our youths stepping forward to create change.

    1. Like Clarence is a role model. He founded Access Singapore in 2019 while he was still a university student.

    2. A former Normal (Academic) student, Clarence understood how important networks and guidance were for youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    3. He started Access by cold-emailing businesses, with a vision – to mentor and uplift students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    4. Today, Access is a charity working with corporates and government agencies to run mentoring programmes for students.

16. MCCY is equally committed to enable youths of all backgrounds a trampoline to spring to success.  This collaboration between Access Singapore and *SCAPE on The Trampoline seeks to scale up the social impact of Access’ vision with a dedicated space right here at *SCAPE.

17. First, The Trampoline will provide youths with an early leg up towards career success. It will anchor Access’s mentoring programmes, linking youths up with industry mentors who can guide them through life transitions, build resilience and spark ambition. In doing so, allowing more stakeholders to CARE and be more involved in our youths’ development.

    1. Based on a recent Mentoring SG study, 9 in 10 youths surveyed felt that they benefited from mentoring and valued the connection that they shared with their mentors.

    2. Youths have also asked for more mentoring opportunities during our engagements.

18. Access’s mentoring programmes are run in partnership with businesses and government agencies, so that the youths can benefit from practical, real-world experiences. Through these programmes, Access aims to support more than 3,000 youths from disadvantaged backgrounds over the next three years.

19. Second, The Trampoline will be a space for youths in the Access Alumni Network to CONNECT with one another and to connect to new opportunities.

    1. To support this, Access has partnered with The Woke Salaryman to set up an Opportunity Fund.

    2. This fund will provide financial support to Access alumni for a wide range of learning experiences, and aims to benefit 50 Access alumni over two years.

20. Third, The Trampoline will support youths to CONTRIBUTE back to the community.

21. The Trampoline and *SCAPE are part of a larger Somerset Belt, which we are developing as a vibrant youth precinct. We have launched a Somerset Reset campaign, which invites youths to engage directly with architects, planners, *SCAPE, government agencies, and the wider community on detailed design and programming to realise the vision of Somerset Belt as a vibrant precinct built by youths, for youths, with youths.

22. We see youth communities who are actively contributing back to the community here.

    1. Edwin Tan is a visually handicapped youth leader who co-founded Lion City Inclusive Chess (LCIC) in 2021, with the vision of creating opportunities for chess lovers to meet up and have fun.

       1. He has been partnering *SCAPE to host chess competitions for players across different ages and abilities.

       2. For example, LCIC held a Year of the Snake Rapid chess competition at *SCAPE earlier this year, involving children as young as 8 years old and below.

       3. LCIC also holds its Monthly Rapid Chess Tournament at *SCAPE, welcoming both seasoned players and curious beginners to meet up for a game of chess.

       4. He believes in using chess to promote inclusion, and to create opportunities for chess lovers and enthusiasts to connect and make friends.

23. Going forward, MCCY wants to create more spaces and empower youths like Clarence and Edward, to take the lead and make a difference.

24. In line with this, *SCAPE will introduce a Grant for Good as part of SG60.

    1. The grant will give youths funding support of up to $1,000 to implement a project that does good for the community around the Somerset Belt.

    2. It is kindly supported by Kimly Limited, who has generously donated to this cause.

25. *SCAPE aims to support 60 such projects that make a difference over the next year.

26. *SCAPE will run consultancy clinics for the Grant for Good at The Trampoline, to help interested youths refine their ideas.

Everyone can play a part

28. The Trampoline is just a beginning. We hope it will inspire more organisations to step forward – to see how meaningful partnerships can empower youths in real, tangible ways.

    1. I invite more businesses and organisations to work with us – to share your expertise, open doors, and build bridges for the next generation.

    2. Together, we can build a future shaped not by circumstance, but by community – one where every youth has the support, hope and opportunities to thrive.

29. Thank you and I look forward to our fireside chat conversations with Access Singapore later on how we can build our future Singapore, together.