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SINGAPORE - While Singapore has become less race-conscious and more tolerant of differences, Singaporeans must not think that they have arrived at an ideal "post-racial state", or that no more effort will be needed to bridge different groups. "Race and religion remain fault lines, and are emotive issues. The risk of regressing on what we have achieved is always there, and we cannot assume that our progress will be in a straight line," said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong on Thursday (Sept 3) at the debate on the President's Address. Indeed, Singapore is by no means perfect, and discrimination remains a "visceral lived reality for some", he said, echoing points that had been made by Workers' Party MP Faisal Manap (Aljunied GRC) and People's Action Party MP Ms Carrie Tan (Nee Soon GRC) during the debate this week. "We must continue to find ways to do better". SINGAPORE'S PROGRESS IN MANAGING RACE RELATIONS The minister said that there is "absolutely nothing ... » Learn More about Parliament: S’pore has become less race-conscious, but has not yet arrived at a ‘post-racial state’, says Edwin Tong

NEW YORK - Singapore's Government is on the side of young people concerned about climate change, a problem which will have major consequences for billions of people if not slowed down, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Sept 27). "We are on their side, because this is something that is going to happen in their lives and is going to affect them," he told Singapore reporters in an interview at the end of his week-long work trip to New York. "It is very much something in young people's minds - this demonstration of young people around the world. And even in Singapore there was quite a big group at Hong Lim Park, and Desmond Lee (Minister for Social and Family Development) went down and chatted with them," he added. Adapting to and mitigating climate change was a major theme of the Prime Minister's visit , during which he headed Singapore's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and gave a speech on Singapore's strategy on climate change at the UN Climate ... » Learn More about Singapore’s leaders are on the side of youth concerned about climate change: PM Lee Hsien Loong

A $106 billion Unity Budget was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Feb 18. Along with strategies to tackle immediate and long-term challenges were measures to help Singapore’s youth face a secure future with confidence. Key takeaways are: 1. Building a future-ready workforce As global competition intensifies in a fast-changing economy, Singaporeans will need to learn new skills or risk falling behind. To that end, the Government will provide every Singaporean aged 25 and above in 2020 with a one-off $500 SkillsFuture credit top-up to boost industry readiness. The top-up, which can be used from Oct 1, will expire at the end of 2025. This is in addition to the initial $500 SkillsFuture credit that was introduced in 2015 with no expiry date. Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, explained that the five-year deadline is to “encourage Singaporeans to take action early to learn new skills, and to make the best use of this period of economic slowdown”. Will it ... » Learn More about 5 things Singapore’s youth need to know

SINGAPORE - Young people with a dream to make a difference to the lives of Singaporeans will now have a chance to pitch their ideas to relevant government or industry agencies. The best 12 ideas can each get up to $50,000 in grants to kickstart the projects. Those with a cause to champion or a suggestion to make can take part in the Youth Action Challenge, a six-month programme organised by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council under the SG Youth Action Plan. It was announced by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu on Saturday (Jan 18) afternoon. Addressing 260 young people at the National Youth Council's youth engagement session at Raffles City Convention Centre, she said: "If we want a better Singapore, we have to roll up our sleeves and do the work." Since September last year, young people aged 15 to 35 have been working in teams, mentored by leaders from various industries, communities and the Government, to come up with ... » Learn More about Young people can suggest policy changes or champion initiatives through government programme