Today’s youth are coming of age in a time full of significant upheavals and shocks. Climate change, geopolitical unrest, the increasing cost of living and the constant evolution of the work landscape caused in part by technological advancements are but a few examples. The path to adulthood is also less linear than before. Its trajectory can no longer be marked by what would have been previously considered typical milestones – marriages are taking place later, people are taking longer to settle into stable employment (if at all), and formal education is not confined to the earlier part of someone’s life. The VUCA world is undeniably fuelling anxieties as youth find it more difficult to predict and prepare for the future, and the TODAY Youth Survey 2022 reported that one in three respondents admitted to struggling mentally.
Our youth are the future of the country. They also form an essential part of Singapore’s social fabric. How then can their fears, tensions and aspirations be addressed to build a more confident and resilient Singapore? Join us as we hear from Ms Tan Gee Keow (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth).