Voice to the people

From the following article: "while only 15 cannot be implemented - for now"

No surprise as to which ones cannot be implemented.

For now? mmmh. Then when huh?


Govt okays youths' ideas for change
55 out of 91 proposals to reshape Singapore accepted, while others are being studied

By Vivi Zainol June 8, 2005 The Straits Times

SINGAPORE'S youths yesterday got a pat on the back from their minister, who made it clear to them: You can make your ideas work in this country.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan sent out this strong signal when he said the Government had accepted some 55 of the 91 proposals for shaping Singapore's future which a group of young people submitted .

Others are being studied, while only 15 cannot be implemented - for now, indicated Dr Balakrishnan, the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

Among those that got the nod are a youth enterprise academy, letting private companies conduct National Education lessons in schools, and event management internships for youths on society's fringe.

The bundle of ideas so pleased the minister he said the process by which they were created will be formalised into a new youth consultation process. The Government also wants more young people involved in future issues.

But the bottom line is that they must come up with action plans.

Dr Balakrishnan was especially full of praise for a group of 120 youths. They had distilled suggestions from about 2,000 of their peers into well-argued ideas, which were handed to government ministries in April.

'The quality of our young people's proposals has been very impressive. Even more so has been their level of commitment,' he said in a speech to start the Youth Leaders and Mentors Programme. The programme will groom secondary and post-secondary students with leadership skills.

He said the youths, working in four groups, spent five months deliberating, consulting key stakeholders and working on ideas.

The exercise began last August, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he wanted to empower younger Singaporeans.

Dr Balakrishnan is convinced the process has improved 'the level of trust and engagement' between the young and the Government.

The youths gained a deeper insight into policy-making, while the Government's thinking was 'challenged and refreshed', he said.

He also vowed that the Government will help the young translate their ideas into action, with networks and seed funding. But they must see it through, he added.

The challenge hardly fazed Youth Action chairman Lee Hong Chuan, 35, who is thrilled 13 of his group's 15 ideas were accepted.

'Seed funding will definitely encourage more youths to come forward,' he said.

Already, one idea has received more than $300,000. This is Shine, Singapore's first festival organised by youths to showcase the talents of other youths. It will start on June 18 and end on July 9, with about 60 youth groups taking part.

Commenting on a few 'controversial' proposals that were rejected, Dr Balakrishnan said: 'Some wanted to champion people with alternative lifestyles and sexual preferences.

'We had to clearly explain to them that the sensitivities of the majority of people had to be taken into account. We had to say 'no'.'

Less controversial ideas were also rejected, but people like the co-chairman of Youth Reloaded work group, Mr Ahmad Nizam, 37, are undeterred.

He said: 'It's not an outright 'no'. It's a question of relooking it and finding out how we can balance the concerns of different government bodies. Ultimately, it's about waiting for the right time.'