Tasked to find “hacks” that can address youth concerns about financial security, careers, technology and the environment, four panels were set up for youths to help formulate government policies in these areas, the National Youth Council said on Saturday (Nov 25).

The four panels are named #LifeHacks, #JobHacks, #TechHacks, and #GreenHacks, reflecting these “top-of-mind” concerns faced by youths today, the council said in a statement.

For about a year, these youths will work with government agencies to help formulate policies, conduct research, and engage other stakeholders.

The recommendations from the panels will be submitted to the Government and may be tabled in Parliament for further debate where appropriate, or addressed by the Government via other channels such as written responses, said the statement.

“This closing of the loop will demonstrate to youths that their ideas and recommendations are considered seriously by the Government,” said NYC.

Said Mr David Chua, NYC's chief executive officer: “We have heard and recognise the importance of co-creating policies with youths in areas that they are deeply concerned about. Youth panels will provide an avenue for our youths to voice their views and participate in policymaking in such areas, further strengthening government-youth partnerships.”

The idea for the youth panels first arose after Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong read a TODAY news report about the desire of young Singaporeans to be engaged in a more in-depth discourse with policymakers.

Mr Tong said in an April parliamentary sitting that he spoke to several of the young people interviewed about their concerns and how his ministry could engage and partner with them so that they can be “part of the solution”.

He added that MCCY may also sponsor a White Paper or Green Paper for Parliament to consider arising from the panels' recommendations.

HOW THE TOPICS WERE SELECTED

The panel #LifeHacks will focus on financial security, while #JobHacks will look into careers and lifelong learning. The third panel, #TechHacks, will look into the topic of digital well-being, and the last panel #GreenHacks will seek to address environmental and sustainability issues.

NYC said it was the insights from more than 300 youths since the announcement of the initiative in April this year that were “crucial” in guiding the design of the panels.

 “They are eager to contribute to policymaking, and hope that the youth panels will provide the opportunity for them to do so, by demonstrating inclusivity, diversity, and openness,” said NYC.

Four youth leads have been appointed to head each of the four panels — amounting to a total of 16 youth leads. The panels will each also comprise around 30 youths “from different backgrounds, with diverse skill sets and experiences”, it added.

The youths were selected through an open call to ensure a “good representation of views” across the youth population. Those leading the panels are passionate about policymaking and well-versed in the four topics, said the statement.

Youth advisors from NYC’s networks will also support each panel and guide the panel’s approach and strategy.

EQUIPPING YOUTH PANELS WITH POLICYMAKING SKILLS

From Nov 18, the youths have started to undergo various workshops aimed at equipping them with a better understanding of the policymaking process.

These include a policymaking workshop aimed at helping the youths to “better appreciate the broader considerations of policymaking”, and a design innovation skills workshop aimed at helping youths to develop a deeper understanding of how policies are crafted and implemented – including how to carry out stakeholder mapping and design a problem statement, said NYC.

In the coming months, the youth panels will be conducting research and engaging other stakeholders as they deep-dive into the topics, added the NYC.

Interested members of the public can view details on the progress of the youth panels’ work, which will be shared progressively on nyc.gov.sg/youthpanels.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated that a total of four youth leads had been appointed to the panels. This is incorrect. There have been four youth leads appointed to each panel. We are sorry for the error.

Source:
courtesy of TODAY

by DEBORAH LAU

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