PM Wong launches the S'pore Youth Charter, pledges 1 million volunteer hours from PAYM in 2025

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke at the launch of the Singapore Youth Charter, an action plan for young people to be more proactive in the community, on Mar. 1 at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.

In his speech, he also said the People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM) will commit one million volunteer hours in 2025, and that volunteers would be supported by the SG60 Youth Engagement Grant.

Pillars

The Singapore Youth Charter was a document of 18 statements over three key pillars, mental health, racial and religious harmony, and the environment and sustainability.

The charter was drawn from engagement during the Forward Singapore Exercise, during which many youth participants shared their aspirations and hopes for Singapore.

PM Wong said the charter was a significant milestone for all young people in Singapore and that Singapore's youth have "the ideas and passion to make Singapore a better place for everyone".

PAYM engaged young Singaporeans in 212 conversations over the past 15 months, hearing from over 127,000 youth voices.

The participants came from educational institutions, community volunteers and activists, and faith-based organisations.

PAYM also engaged youths with disabilities and those in reformative training centres.

The charter's 18 statements covering three areas were values that "you can commit to and uphold and live by" PM Wong said.

A call to action

PM Wong described it as a blueprint "to shape the community and the Singapore you want for yourselves and your future".

He called for participants to go beyond words and announced that PAYM would pledge one million volunteer hours in 2025.

He also invited members of the audience to be part of this movement, to contribute ideas, volunteer their time and skills in order to make a lasting impact for their community and for Singapore.

The Singapore government would support the effort, and PAYM would "bring in the right partners and expertise to turn your ideas into reality".

The PA also had a new SG60 engagement grant.

The grant will provide up to S$3000 to each of the 95 PA youth networks for community initiatives.

This would help grassroots organisations and residents to execute ideas that would build connections between Singaporeans.

"The funds are there, the resources are there, use it to volunteer, use it to initiate your projects and to create meaningful and positive change."

Top image via Daras Singh