Citizens’ active participation builds stronger democracy: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE: Acting Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Lawrence Wong said he believes Singapore can do more to inspire young Singaporeans to serve, and directed that service to the country’s most pressing challenges.

Mr Wong said: "Ultimately, I believe that’s how we can build a stronger and more vibrant democracy —— one that’s based not just on the consent of the people, but on the active participation of its citizens."

He was speaking at the Citi—YMCA Youth For Causes programme awards celebration.

The programme saw teams of young people, between the ages of 15 and 25, organise events like mass blindfold walkathons, dining in the dark sessions, and streets sales to raise funds for their chosen beneficiaries.

Each youth team had been given S$1,600 of seed funding from Citi Singapore to execute their ideas.

Over 400 young Singaporeans raised S$600,000 for charity after 15 weeks of fundraising.

The money raised went to 46 voluntary welfare organisations, including Guide Dogs for the Physically Disabled and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

— CNA/lp