[This is a sponsored article with the National Youth Council.]
From uncertain economic conditions to climate challenges, the youths of today are grappling with an era of unprecedented crises that could significantly impact their future.
Yet, they may not get to participate in the very discussions that will shape their lives.
To give youths a voice in policy-making, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and National Youth Council (NYC) set up the Youth Panels—a national initiative where young Singaporeans can step up and co-create policies with the Government.
What are NYC’s Youth Panels and what do they do?
Launched in November 2023, the Youth Panels brings together 120 youths aged between 15 to 35 years old with the aim of empowering them to delve into issues most pertinent to their generation.
Participants across four groups—#GreenHacks, #JobHacks, #LifeHacks, and #TechHacks—deliberated issues on environmental sustainability, careers and employment, financial literacy, and digital well-being respectively.
After nine months of research and engagement with key stakeholders, the Youth Panel members have developed and refined their preliminary policy recommendations.
They recently presented their recommendations at the Youth Policy Forum on August 24, which will soon be submitted to relevant government agencies. Here’s a glimpse of what they have proposed:
#GreenHacks
As climate change presents growing threats, one way Singapore is doubling down on its sustainability initiatives is by encouraging household recycling, with the broader goal of increasing the city state’s domestic recycling rate to 30 per cent by 2030.
Yet, the overall domestic recycling rate in 2023 has stalled at 12 per cent, the lowest in a decade. Among Singaporeans surveyed by the #GreenHacks panel, the difficulty in locating recycling bins and uncertainty over how to sort materials for recycling were cited as key barriers to recycling.
In response to these challenges, the #GreenHacks panel has suggested the introduction of simplified and standardised recycling labels and segregated recycling bins, where recyclables are separated by category.
Other countries have already seen success with standardised recycling labels. In the UK, the OPRL labelling system has streamlined processes and encourages accurate recycling—in fact, about three in four consumers recognise and act on the labels.
Meanwhile, a recent pilot trial of segregated smart recycling bins in Singapore managed to achieve a significant reduction in contamination rates, lowering them to just 5 per cent compared to the national average of 40 per cent.
These examples indicate that implementing the#GreenHacks panel’s recommendations could enhance domestic recycling rates, however, it necessitates a national effort. As such, the panel members have suggested enhancing Singapore’s community engagement efforts to increase awareness and public education on good recycling practices.
#JobHacks
Investments by large corporations and MNCs in Southeast Asian (SEA) countries are expected to boost economic growth in Singapore’s neighbouring countries.
This presents opportunities for Singaporean youths, many of whom recognise the value of gaining regional work experience and exposure. However, not all youths have the necessary tools and information to explore opportunities abroad—about 75 per cent of youths are unaware of career opportunities in SEA.
One way the #JobHacks panel aims to help young Singaporeans excel in the evolving job market by connecting them Singaporeans with professionals working overseas for mentorship and exposure to different perspectives and experiences.
Additionally, the #JobHacks panel has suggested the introduction of an education roadmap to increase students’ awareness of Southeast Asian culture, context, and opportunities. They have also recommended expanding regional exposure programmes to better help youths find meaningful opportunities abroad.
#LifeHacks
On the other hand, the #LifeHacks panel members are exploring the introduction of a Financial Literacy Excellence (FLEX) Guide—a customised resource containing curated information designed to guide youths through key financial decisions at important life stages.
But why is this crucial? In Singapore, at least three in five youths surveyed by the #LifeHacks panel raised concerns about the cost of living, particularly in areas such as housing, food, and healthcare—yet, at the same time, many of them also admitted to lacking good financial habits.
Financial literacy is key to building these habits; however, the survey highlighted significant barriers to financial education in Singapore. Only 40 per cent of the surveyed youths found existing financial literacy programmes useful and practical.
Additionally, about two in five people get their financial literacy knowledge from their family and friends, but only about half of that proportion found these sources reliable.
With the FLEX guide, Singaporean youths will be empowered to make more informed financial decisions.
The #LifeHacks panel also intends to explore a Starter Savings Plan to support lower-income Singaporeans in building emergency funds. This will complement existing efforts that support lower-income families and encourage saving behaviours to improve their financial well-being.
#TechHacks
The youths of today are digital natives—they were born into the digital era, growing up exposed to the continuous flow of online information.
While this offers numerous advantages, it also exposes them to various digital harms, such as cyberbullying and harassment. Though online redressal mechanisms are available, many youths surveyed by the #TechHacks panel did not find them effective.
To foster a “kinder, safer, and healthier” digital world, the #TechHacks panel proposed a multi-pronged approach that includes conducting a yearly survey on the state of online harms in social media among young Singaporeans. This allows for consistent data collection and analysis for specific insights on our youths.
The #TechHacks panel also suggested creating a life-cycle model of online harms—a concise and practical framework that can help youths navigate online harms. The guide will assist them in making better sense of their situation and identifying the appropriate resources to determine their next steps when faced with online threats.
Apart from this, the panel members are advocating for an accountability-based approach involving multiple stakeholders to enhance trust and safety on social media. They also emphasise the need to recognise youths as key stakeholders in digital policy recommendations to shape online spaces that are “youth by-design, and by-default”.
Join the conversation on building a better tomorrow
“Policymaking is an amalgamation of people’s hopes and desires,” said Darrius Tan, a #LifeHacks panel member. “After all, what is Singapore without our people?”
Your input is vital as the Youth Panels’ ideas move toward action. If you have any opinions on the outlined initiatives, there’s no better time than now to help our youths shape Singapore’s future by providing feedback on their recommendations.
Just click on this link to provide your suggestions to refine their ideas and join the conversation on building a better tomorrow.
- Learn more about the Youth Panels here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Singapore affairs here.
Featured Image Credit: National Youth Council