Youth To Embark On Social Projects In Collaboration With Community Organisations – Youth Seminar Creates Opportunities For Youth To Give Back To Society
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Dated: 12 June 2016
1. 132 post-secondary Indian youth attended the annual SINDA Youth Leaders Seminar (SYLS), hosted at the College of Alice and Peter Tan, National University of Singapore from 10–12 June 2016. Into its sixth edition, this high-energy residential seminar was themed “Collectivising Responsibility and Paving Pathways” and focused on encouraging leadership and a sense of personal responsibility, collaboration and civic engagement to uplift the society.
2. Over three days, participants discussed and explored five social areas— Underprivileged Families and Individuals; Youth and Family Violence; Transient Workers; Elderly and Ageing; and Disability and Special Needs —and proposed practical solutions that will bring about positive change. These ideas were presented to Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of SINDA, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who graced the seminar on its closing day and interacted with participants.
3. As part of the seminar, the youth also undertook a service learning project, where they visited rental and interim housing flats at Spooner Road to interact with Indian residents, and provided residents with groceries and home-sprucing services. Commenting on the house visit, Mr K Barathan, CEO, SINDA highlighted: “The Indian community, just as any other community, has its unique challenges. It is vital that we involve and engage our youth from the onset on societal issues so that they can channel their creativity and resourcefulness towards developing innovative solutions to real world issues.”
4. Over the next few months, participants will collaborate with various Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) towards materialising their ideas and implementing them for the good of society.
5. SYLS participants will also go on to join other programmes organised by SINDA’s youth leadership wing—SINDA Youth Club (SYC). These programmes offer various opportunities for youth to deepen their awareness on societal issues and play an active role as agents of change in the Indian community. Improving youth aspirations and inspiring them towards greater achievements is a key mandate for SINDA. In 2015, SINDA impacted over 1,400 youth through various programmes.
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About the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA)
The Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) is a Self-Help Group, set up in 1991 to address educational and socio-economic issues facing the Indian community in Singapore. SINDA actively strives to build a well-educated and confident community of Indians that stands together with the other communities in contributing to the progress of multi-racial Singapore. In the course of fulfilling its objectives, SINDA works closely with many volunteers, schools and grassroots organisations. In the process, SINDA has steadily evolved into a credible organisation that serves as a pillar of the Singapore Indian community. Today, SINDA runs a wide array of programmes that not only improve the educational performance of Indian students, but also promote family harmony and uplift the social status of ethnic Indians. For more information on SINDA, visit the website –
About SINDA
The Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) is a Self-Help Group, set up in August 1991 to address educational and socio-economic issues facing the Indian community in Singapore.
SINDA actively strives to build a well-educated and confident community of Indians that stands together with the other communities in contributing to the progress of multi-racial Singapore. In the course of fulfilling its objectives, SINDA works closely with many volunteers, schools and grassroots organisations. In the process, SINDA has steadily evolved into a credible organisation that serves as a pillar of the Singapore Indian community.
Today, SINDA runs a wide array of programmes that not only effectively serves to uplift the educational performance of Indian students, but also promotes family harmony and uplifts the social status of ethnic Indians.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, is Chairman of SINDA’s Board of Trustees. Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and Education is President of SINDA’s Executive Committee.
For more information on SINDA, please visit www.sinda.org.sg.
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