Under the leadership of Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, the Marine Parade Leadership Foundation (MPLF) was established by the Members of Parliament (MPs) as well as Grassroots Leaders in Marine Parade GRC and MacPherson SMC with the objective of promoting community leadership amongst today’s youths.

The NextGen Youth Seminar, targeted at upper secondary school students within the South East District, aims to engage youths at a younger age as stakeholders of the community and Singapore’s future.

The inaugural seminar was hosted at Victoria School on 6 June 2009.The event was attended by 157 upper secondary school students, from 19 different secondary schools across the South East District.

Students were engaged in a pre-seminar discussion to select topics which are relevant and which most interest today’s youths.
The four topics selected and discussed were:

i. Fostering a gracious society
ii. Finding strength in diversity
iii. Challenges from the influx of foreign students
iv. Harnessing the use of new media and technology in a positive way

After the discussion, the students who were divided into 16 groups presented their thoughts, ideas and suggestions in various creative ways, such as skits, raps and cartoons, to their peers, as well as to SM Goh and the VIP entourage, through a “Gallery Walk”. The programme included a sharing by Dr Fatimah on leadership and service, as well as a dialogue with SM Goh, Mayor Yao and panellists.

There was excellent interaction and bonding among the students from different schools. This was especially evident from the Gallery Walk presentations, which the groups were able to put together quickly and to a standard which impressed SM Goh.

During the dialogue session, Mayor Yao shared that some of the compulsory community involvement projects (CIP) initiated by schools today may provide little value to the youths. He quoted the example of students picking up rubbish along the beach while at the same time, the public continues to litter. He shared that it would be more meaningful if youths initiate their own community service projects in areas they are passionate about. He shared that one could acquire different skills such as teamwork and project management, when the youths organise their own community service projects.

In his response to queries from students about the challenges faced from an influx of international students, Dr Chua urged students not to think of ways to protect themselves from foreigners; rather, to think how foreigners can enhance Singapore and think of what we can do to encourage these foreigners to stay and further improve Singapore. He added that local Singaporeans should not be fearful of competition, but instead both should work as a team which would result in the pie increasing and benefiting Singapore.

SM Goh shared with the students that leadership talents are everywhere and it does not necessary come from only the top schools. He said that leadership opportunities can be found by serving as grassroots leaders in their respective Residents’ Committee and Youth Executive Committee. SM Goh also emphasised the importance of leadership renewal for grassroots organisations.

This is the first time such a Seminar is available for secondary school students in Singapore, and the event concluded with resounding success.The majority of participants would recommend this seminar to their friends, and would definitely welcome more opportunities for discussion and dialogue with government leaders.

The Foundation aims to develop the Seminar into a highly-anticipated annual programme for secondary school student leaders. \

Snapshots from the NextGen Youth Seminar: