Singaporean youth should not feel pressured to take certain paths in their lives, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday ( Aug 24 ).
” My desire for all of you is… for you to get your own way. Do n’t feel like you have to conform”, he said at the inaugural Youth Policy Forum, which around 1, 000 youths participated in.  ,
” Excel, try and be the best that you can be in whatever you choose”, said Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister. ” If you have that perspective, if you have that attitude, the govt will want to help you in whatever you are doing”.
The government wants to help young people develop and grow to be the best types of themselves, whether that remain in art, sports, study or enterprise, he said.
We want to encourage everyone to fight their rainbows, and we will praise you on every step of the way, he said.
Young people must also be able to put in the effort and contribute to society so that nothing can collapse into their lap.
” There may even be falls and failures along the way, but accept all of that – the losses, the problems. That just makes you stronger if you embraced it with all your might,” said Mr. Wong.
In the process of chasing their goals and realising their whole possible, but, the Prime Minister encouraged the children to think of other Singaporeans.
He said,” We only succeed when we succeed together as one people, so a part of achieving your dreams must be to help one another succeed.”  ,
According to Mr. Wong, life should n’t revolve around “me, myself, and I” because otherwise, we wo n’t ever be content or happy.
” We will never be content if it’s all about me, me, me, because eventually, satisfaction comes through us serving a higher purpose and a greater calling”, he said.
The government wants to give young people more opportunities to make real, material efforts to causes they care deeply about, he continued.
Youth panel formed last year made preliminary recommendations for enhancing financial literacy, raising awareness of career opportunities in Southeast Asia, creating a safer online world, and improving recycling at the Youth Policy Forum.
The panel’s document tips, which will be submitted to government agencies by the end of the year, may be criticized in the community. In the first quarter of 2025, the state will follow up on the recommendations.
” We are very serious ( about considering the recommendations ), that’s why I’m here”, Mr Wong said at the forum, drawing laughter from the audience.
He said that the sections, which began their work in November and involved 120 boys, were just one way to get younger individuals involved in contributing to Singapore’s growth.
” We may think about future programs, options for you, and there will be many more”, he said. ” The point is, there will be a way for young people like yourselves to help, not just for your personal goals, not just for your unique desires, but to larger common life, to shaping the culture that we want to have in Singapore”.