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Youth panels being set up for young S'poreans to suggest policy ideas that may be tabled in Parliament: Edwin Tong

SINGAPORE — To address a wish among the youth to play a greater role in policy formulation by going beyond just dialogue and consultation, new youth-led panels to develop and recommend policies to the Government will be launched later this year. Their suggestions may be presented to Parliament.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong speaking in Parliament on Friday (April 21).

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong speaking in Parliament on Friday (April 21).

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  • Young Singaporeans will be able to work closely with the Government to develop and suggest policies through new youth-led panels later in 2023
  • This came after a TODAY news report prompted Mr Edwin Tong to speak to several of the youths interviewed and others about their concerns and how his ministry could engage and partner with them
  • They told the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth that they wanted to know how their suggestions on policies would be considered
  • They also hope to have a clearer understanding of the trade-offs if their proposals were not workable
  • The Government will share its policy consideration and trade-offs with the youth panels to shape their suggestions that may be presented in Parliament

SINGAPORE — To address a wish among the youth to play a greater role in policy formulation by going beyond just dialogue and consultation, new youth-led panels to develop and recommend policies to the Government will be launched later this year. Their suggestions may be presented to Parliament.

The announcement by Mr Edwin Tong on Friday (April 21) came after the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth read a TODAY news report published on April 11 about the desire of young Singaporeans to be engaged in a more in-depth discourse with policy makers.

His speech was one of 67 that were delivered during a five-day debate on President Halimah Yacob's address to Parliament.

Both sides of the House brought up various topics, such as the need to protect meritocratic ideals, enhance the support structure for seniors and address the impact of inflation on Singaporeans.

Mr Tong said in Parliament that reading the TODAY article prompted him to speak to several of the young people interviewed and others, about their concerns and how his ministry could engage and partner with them so that they can be "part of the solution".

The TODAY article was in response to the President's address in which she spoke about the strong interest among the youth "to take action and initiate change on issues they care about, like mental well-being and sustainability".

Mr Tong said that the youth he spoke to asked how their feedback and suggestions on policies were being considered by the Government.

They also hope to have a clearer understanding of the trade-offs if their proposals were not workable.

“We agreed that instead of taking an adversarial approach to policy suggestions, we could perhaps engage on these trade-offs and share views on opportunity costs, develop a deeper understanding of considerations that would be helpful when making policy suggestions,” Mr Tong said.

These were “constructive suggestions”, he added.

As a result, youth-led panels supported by the National Youth Council (NYC), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and other appropriate government agencies will be created later this year, he announced.

In these panels, young people aged 15 to 35 will work on a topic of policy that resonated with a broad cross-section of this age group. The Government will share its policy consideration and trade-offs and exchange data points with them, Mr Tong said.

Against this backdrop, we will create space for our young people to take the lead in the deliberations and formulate suggestions.
Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth

MCCY and NYC aim to set up two to three panels this year, which will comprise youth from diverse backgrounds with experience and interest in identified policy topics.

The youth will also seek views from the broader population among their age bracket and the rest of society in developing their recommendations.

“Against this backdrop, we will create space for our young people to take the lead in the deliberations and formulate suggestions,” Mr Tong said.

“Through these panels, we want to engage our youth in meaningful and constructive discourse where they can listen to the experiences of others, appreciating opinions that may differ from their own, and weighing competing priorities, looking at both short-term as well as longer-term considerations.”

Emphasising that the recommendations made will “be taken seriously”, Mr Tong said that the Government will make a “conscious effort to close the loop with them, whatever the outcomes might be”.

Topics from the panel that merit further discussion may be presented in Parliament, and MCCY may sponsor a White Paper or Green Paper on the proposal for consideration in Parliament.

“We can have a robust debate on them, and those involved in giving views or preparing the recommendations can see the impact of their work,” he added.

“We are formulating this carefully and more details on these youth panels will be provided when ready.”

MCCY will be consulting young people over the next few months about the youth panels and key policy issues that they will undertake.

“We look forward to the active participation of our youth to shape the future of our country,” Mr Tong said.

“I am confident that our youth will welcome this opportunity. I have always been encouraged by the heart that they have in bringing Singapore forward through my interactions with them.”

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN ASSESSMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP

In his speech, Mr Tong also touched on the debate about whether to require applicants for citizenship to take an English proficiency test.

This was advocated on Feb 27 by Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, who said then that it could aid better integration between new citizens and Singaporeans since English is widely used in Singapore.

However, Mr Tong noted that a significant proportion of Singaporeans throughout history have been unable to speak English — including some older members of society today.

Beyond this, he noted that the immigration framework was tightened in 2009 to asses a broader range of factors, such as the ability to contribute, the ability to integrate into society and a commitment to sink roots here.

These factors are "equally, if not... more effective as a marker of integration", he said.

Adding that working knowledge in one of the four different national languages is one of the "markers" for naturalisation, Mr Tong said that English proficiency should not be a single qualifying test.

"I would say, not that English proficiency is not important. I think there is value in that — but let's not make it a single qualifying test." 

In response, Mr Singh of the Workers' Party said that he had not advocated for English proficiency to be a single point of consideration for permanent residency and citizenship.

"I think minister, in his characterisation, framed it as a sort of a litmus test. In fact, I made it clear in my speech today that it was a nudge to align our immigration policy and our bilingual policy." 

Pointing out that international students hoping to study in Singapore have to take English qualification tests, Mr Singh noted that an individual's ability to use the commonly used language here has merits.

He also highlighted a survey that showed how important the ability to speak English is for some Singaporeans, but added that he did not want to put too much store in a single survey.

"I am just suggesting that this is something for the Government to consider," he added.

On this point, Mr Tong said that he can "very much accept the sentiments conveyed in that survey" as it reflects society's sentiments.

"But the point about international students, I think, comes from a different perspective. They're taking qualifying tests for different reasons, because there's an academic element to the entry into the schools in Singapore," Mr Tong added.

"So I don't think one should conflate the two different tests. They are meant for different purposes."

WINNING THE TRUST OF SINGAPOREANS

With Singapore facing an ageing population, greater economic disruption and differences in people's starting points in lives, the fourth-generation (4G) government leadership team must win the trust of Singaporeans — just like how the late Lee Kuan Yew and the founding fathers did so in a newly independent Singapore after 1965.

To do so, the 4G team led by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong must set out a clear plan to secure a better future for all, addressing its people's aspirations and concerns.

Making this point in Parliament on Friday (April 21), Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, said he is optimistic that the Government can turn challenges into opportunities, securing a bright future for the country and its people.

“Within our short history, we have managed to survive and thrive through even more difficult circumstances.” 

In his speech, he called for Singapore to grow a vibrant and innovative economy that has to be long-term for future generations.

Pointing out that scientific and technological innovation has reshaped jobs and skills, he said that Singapore must continue staying adaptable by harnessing the best of innovation while supporting workers and companies to benefit from these advances.

Beyond that, developing every Singaporean to maximise their potential and allow them to seize opportunities is crucial, Mr Heng added. 

And as Singapore has always remained open — something that is “core to our identity and values" — the country must ensure it continues to do so while being relevant and useful.

“This open-mindedness, coupled with our stable environment and strong governance, no doubt has resonance in today’s more fractured and fractious world.” 

However, the country’s approach to openness must be refined to “ensure it is fit for the times”, he added. 

While new residents are expected to follow norms and behaviours valued in Singapore, he also called for Singaporeans to have “the patience and empathy to help newcomers settle in and integrate better”.

It is through these ways that “Singapore and Singaporeans will stay relevant and useful to the world, and stay united and successful,” he said.

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