There are not enough talents…

Lastly, a youth parliament allows us to spot and groom talents from a young age. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently commented that there are not enough talents to form a two-party system, but this issue can at least be addressed if we start grooming them from a young age. Someone once said, expect the worst from others and you will get the worst, expect the best and you will get the best. It is a convenient thing to assume our youths to be apathetic, self-centered and immature, but extremely inconvenient to turn the tables around. Give young people a chance to see what governance really entails. Connect them to other people and instill in them a sense of community. Inspire them to think beyond their grades and careers. Recently, the Straits Times reported that an increasing number of students are volunteering at ministers’ meet-the-people sessions. Does this speak of an apathetic generation? On the contrary. 

Singapore’s Youth Parliament model

What then, are some feasible ways to implement a youth parliament in Singapore?

The youth parliament I envision will consist of youths aged 13 to 20, voted by youths aged 13 – 20. Now, I am not saying that those between the ages of 21 to 40 no longer qualify as youth; this is simply in line with Singapore’s current voting age of 21. This voting system serves several purposes. Firstly, it is an excellent platform to expose young Singaporeans to our voting system. Secondly, it encourages youths to start thinking about issues that concern them and thirdly, the kind of people they want as their voices in parliament.

Each political party who wishes to take part in the youth parliament can nominate their respective candidates for elections. They should also be mentored by a senior member of their party, which will continue even after election into the youth parliament. The youth parliament ideally adopts a system of proportional representation, in order to provide equal opportunities to youth parliamentarians, regardless of the political party they represent.

Once elected, these youth parliamentarians need to draw up a youth manifesto outlining the objectives they wish to achieve in their term. They should also form a cabinet similar to that of our present government and shadow these ministers in order to gain an insight into what governance in Singapore really entails. Once a year, it is ideal that the youth parliament is granted a session with the Prime Minister and his cabinet to highlight issues they are concerned with – just like any parliamentary hearing.

This model that I have just proposed is similar to the one currently adopted by the youth parliament of the United Kingdom. Represented and voted by youths between the ages of 11 to 18, these youths are given several opportunities to explore national issues, propose alternatives and challenge the status quo in their country. They have their own manifesto and they come together to debate national issues with a member of the UK parliament as well as the Prime Minister himself. At a young age, they are exposed to the problems faced by their national leaders, struggles of their countrymen and are challenged to come up with feasible solutions to make their country a better place. These youths have a cause to fight for and a vision to live out – what better way is there to instill a sense of community and national pride in a youth constantly accused of apathy?

Conclusion

Are our youths apathetic? If they are, let’s do something about it. Do they have a sense of national pride? Let’s instill in them sense of national pride. Do they have a reason to want to give back to their country? Let’s give them one.

If we can entrust youths with the responsibility to protect our nation at the age of 18, we can definitely entrust them to do what they deem best for themselves and their country.

I am not saying that this will be easy, neither am I expecting that this will meet with rousing reception. But let’s not be afraid to try; and most importantly, let’s give our youths and ourselves a chance to do something for our nation.

Thank you.