Mr Peter L. Stephens,

Singapore Representative of the World Bank,

Mr. Vasuki Shastry,

Assistant to the Director of External Affairs of the International Monetary Fund,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

1.                        It is my pleasure to join you here this morning and to open this Youth Open Space Dialogue organised by the World Bank.

Youth Expression and Ownership

2.                        I understand from the organisers that there has been a series of such discussions across the East Asia and Pacific region with large turn-outs throughout.  This is encouraging because it shows that young people like yourselves are not only passionate about the issues concerning them, they also want to do something about it.  This series of World Bank dialogues is a fine example of how to empower youth to answer that call to action.

3.                        The discussions are organised with an open format that allows participants to surface the issues they are most passionate about and to explore them further.  This means that you drive the agenda and you are in control of the direction for the discussions.  This exercise will enable you to exercise discipline and responsibility as you handle the many ideas and discussion threads that will be thrown up.  You will also have to manage the dynamics of inter-personal communication, and this will allow you ample opportunities to network amongst your peers.  I am sure it will be an enriching experience for all of you.

Youth Development

4.                        Young people around the world are becoming more educated and are gradually being recognised as a positive force for development, advancement and change.  According to the United Nations World Youth Report 2005, since 1995, the number of children completing primary school has continued to increase, and 4 out of 5 young people in the eligible age group are now in secondary school.  Also, tertiary enrolment has increased; it is estimated that some 100 million youth are enrolled in university education globally.  As for employment, the youth labour force participation rate for 2003 is 54.9%[1].  Young people are also at the forefront of the technology revolution and a national survey conducted in the US shows 91% of 18 to 19 year old youth using the internet to email friends and relatives[2].  However, there are disparities in the utilisation of technology.  For example, 331 out of every 1,000 people in Europe use the Internet, but only 92 per 1,000 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 15 per 1,000 in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa use the Internet[3].

5.                        In Singapore, our youth literacy rate in 2003 was 99.5%[4].  Our full-time enrolment population, which includes schools, Junior Colleges, ITEs, Polytechnics and Universities totalled about 650,000 students in 2004[5].  As for employment, the labour force participation rate for youth in Singapore for 2003 is 43.9%[6].  Information Technology, or IT, is also a big part of our lives, with 61% of Singapore’s resident population aged 15 years and above being internet users[7].

6.                        As youth become more educated and involved, there is a growing recognition that their voice should count and they should be involved in the decision-making process.  The beauty of youth is that you do not suffer the baggage of history, and are prepared to try new ideas.  You carry with you an intense desire to improve the world, as well as the energy and will to make it happen.  Societies that are able to tap into the energy, passion and creativity of their youth become exciting and rejuvenated ones.  Intelligent societies therefore first consult their youth, and then work with them to better the community.  

7.                        In this vein, I am heartened to note that The World Bank has sought the views of young people, and recognises that the voice of youth are helpful in shaping their policies and operations.

MCYS’ Youth Consultation

8.                        In Singapore, our vision is for inspired and committed youth, and to achieve this, we give them:

·                          A say in shaping their own future and in national affairs;

·                          A stake in the community and the future of our country; and

·                          The support in realising their dreams and aspirations.  

9.                        In giving youth a say, we encourage you to contribute views and suggestions on subjects relevant to your needs and interests, and to share your aspirations for yourselves and for the country.  To achieve this, we utilise feedback channels such as the internet, and also youth consultation exercises and discussion forums.

10.                   By giving you a stake, we encourage you to contribute to the community.  You can do so by developing their talents and interests and by volunteering in the causes you are passionate about.  I am glad to note that the spirit of volunteerism has been steady and rising. The youth volunteerism rate has in fact increased from 25% in 2004 to 28% in 2006.

11.                   By giving youth support, we want to help you realise your dreams and aspirations, and to ensure that no youth will be left behind.  An example of this is the setting up of our Young ChangeMakers scheme.  It provides young people with seed funding to carry our community projects that would benefit the community.  In addition, this scheme empowers a group of youth panelists to make the funding decisions.  They will decide on the projects to support and the level of funding to give.

12.                    As you can see, our youth not only tell us what they want to do, they also actively carry out what they desire to do.  Together, the people and the government must first examine the issues that concern youth and fire their passions; then work together to respond proactively and engage youth on these issues.  I urge you to make full use of this opportunity, come forth and have your voices heard.

The Inter-Dependent World

13.                   In this forum, I would also urge you to take a broader perspective.  You have a chance to think beyond your immediate circumstances; in fact, think beyond your country’s immediate circumstances, to consider issues with global impact.  With globalisation, the world we live in is becoming an increasingly complex web.  One tug of a strand, and the stability, even the very existence of the web can be threatened.  Everyone has a part to play in holding the strands of our society together.

14.                   Globalisation has moved us into a borderless world and young people can be instantly linked through web chats, internet forums and even through their SMSes.  The impact of globalisation can be positive – by creating more opportunities for people to move between countries and make use of technological advancements to increase efficiency.  Young people have also shown they are not afraid to try anything, and have ventured out as entrepreneurs at a very early age.   

15.                   At the same time, globalisation can also bring about new challenges.  More than ever, we have to be concerned about racial and religious harmony, protecting our environment, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and inter personal relations and to be competitive.   Our youth also need to be adaptable to working in different cultures and with different languages.

Conclusion

16.                   In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the World Bank for organising this series of dialogues.  I want to applaud the organisers for the thorough thinking and effort that have been put into this project and the commitment that the World Bank has shown towards youth issues.  To ensure the continued success for our efforts in youth-related matters in this inter-independent world, it is necessary for strong cross sectoral partnerships between the public, people and private sectors to be forged.

17.                   Youth are our leaders of tomorrow. And I am heartened at the enthusiasm shown.  The government, public sectors and also your own families can give you the space and support to realise your dreams and aspirations, but whether we can create a resounding success in our efforts will also depend on how you participate and make full use of the resources available to you, and the talents that you have.  The future is in your hands, and it is up to you to shape it.

18.                   On that note, I wish you a fruitful dialogue.

19.                   Thank you.