Debate on President’s Address: Edwin Tong on involving youths in policy recommendations
Young people will be given the chance to help develop national policy recommendations through Youth Panels that will be introduced this year. Led by youths and resourced by the National Youth Council or other relevant Government agencies, they will focus on topics or policies that resonate with young people who will take the lead in deliberations and formulate suggestions, while weighing short- and long-term considerations and potential trade-offs. The panels will then be able to present policy recommendations to the Government and those with merit may be put up in Parliament for debate through the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth sponsoring a White or Green Paper. Announcing this in the House on Friday (Apr 21), Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong said youths must be given a voice and a stake in Singapore’s future as the country charts its path forward and refreshes its social compact. Mr Tong said national unity has been one of Singapore’s foremost priorities over the years and will continue to be critical as the country tackles emerging challenges and makes the necessary shifts to thrive in an increasingly difficult environment. He said his ministry will continue to emphasise social mixing between different segments of society and promote inclusivity by helping to create better opportunities for all, such as by stepping up support for the creative and sports industries. On Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh’s proposal for an English proficiency test as a requirement for new citizens and Permanent Residents, Mr Tong said his own view was that knowledge of English at a working level, while helpful, should not be “a defining ... or a limiting factor”, which might happen if it was introduced as a test. He suggested that Singapore look more broadly at the process of integration in which factors such as length of stay, family ties and whether the person has studied in a national school or done National Service could be more effective markers.
Young people will be given the chance to help develop national policy recommendations through Youth Panels that will be introduced this year. Led by youths and resourced by the National Youth Council or other relevant Government agencies, they will focus on topics or policies that resonate with young people who will take the lead in deliberations and formulate suggestions, while weighing short- and long-term considerations and potential trade-offs. The panels will then be able to present policy recommendations to the Government and those with merit may be put up in Parliament for debate through the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth sponsoring a White or Green Paper. Announcing this in the House on Friday (Apr 21), Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong said youths must be given a voice and a stake in Singapore’s future as the country charts its path forward and refreshes its social compact. Mr Tong said national unity has been one of Singapore’s foremost priorities over the years and will continue to be critical as the country tackles emerging challenges and makes the necessary shifts to thrive in an increasingly difficult environment. He said his ministry will continue to emphasise social mixing between different segments of society and promote inclusivity by helping to create better opportunities for all, such as by stepping up support for the creative and sports industries. On Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh’s proposal for an English proficiency test as a requirement for new citizens and Permanent Residents, Mr Tong said his own view was that knowledge of English at a working level, while helpful, should not be “a defining ... or a limiting factor”, which might happen if it was introduced as a test. He suggested that Singapore look more broadly at the process of integration in which factors such as length of stay, family ties and whether the person has studied in a national school or done National Service could be more effective markers.
Popular Shows
