Debate on President’s speech: Jackson Lam on helping marginalised youths and seniors feel they belong
Young people - especially marginalised youths - need more support, said MP Jackson Lam. In parliament on Thursday (Sep 25), he related the story of a teenager who turned his life around with the help of a charitable organisation and now leads an initiative to help those facing similar challenges. Mr Lam called for sustained, long-term funding for such programmes, stronger links between schools and community groups, and trust and backing for the youth sector to innovate. Singapore can also do more to reimagine what ageing can look like, he said. This does not necessarily require large-scale policies, but creative community programmes where seniors can be fully present and help to shape their communities. Unity happens when people feel they belong, Mr Lam concluded, adding that the elderly want to know they are not being left behind in a fast-changing world and struggling youths want to believe they still have a chance.
Young people - especially marginalised youths - need more support, said MP Jackson Lam. In parliament on Thursday (Sep 25), he related the story of a teenager who turned his life around with the help of a charitable organisation and now leads an initiative to help those facing similar challenges. Mr Lam called for sustained, long-term funding for such programmes, stronger links between schools and community groups, and trust and backing for the youth sector to innovate. Singapore can also do more to reimagine what ageing can look like, he said. This does not necessarily require large-scale policies, but creative community programmes where seniors can be fully present and help to shape their communities. Unity happens when people feel they belong, Mr Lam concluded, adding that the elderly want to know they are not being left behind in a fast-changing world and struggling youths want to believe they still have a chance.
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