Over 50 young people from Singapore were joined by 350.org friends and supporters from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam, for the Singapore Power Shift, which was held from 12th to the 13th July.
The two-day climate action workshop focussed on educating and empowering the group on topics such as Climate Change & Singapore, Local & Overseas Youths Movements, Coordinated Global Efforts, as well as Campaigning skills.
On the first day of the workshop, the Singapore Power Shift participants also interacted with speakers from local groups such as Eco Walk the Talk, National Climate Change Secretariat, The Leafmonkey Workshop, People’s Movement to Stop Haze, Shark Savers Singapore and Nature Society (Singapore) and overseas speakers from 350 Malaysia and 350 Vietnam.
“I am amazed to learn the thoughtful and futuristic policies implemented by Singapore government in addressing the pressing climate change issue, the global involvement as well as their engagement with the local society,” said Wong Xiao Cheng, a final year student at The University of Nottingham and a Rockstar Intern at The Hub Singapore. The Malaysian who is new to Singapore felt fortunate for the opportunity to rethink her former illusions towards both Singapore and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).
“I am most inspired by Yi Han’s work in solving haze problem. Being affected by haze every year since young, like any other Malaysians and Singaporeans, he chose to step out of his comfort zone and stop complaining. He visited Indonesia to investigate the root cause, and still working hard despite lack of committed talents in his team. To me, every single step like his makes huge difference, and all we need is a little courage like his to take the first step.”
On the second day, the group underwent a campaigning workshop and afterwhich, pitched their ideas to a panel, comprising of Ryan Jin from Earthlink NTU, Nor Lastrina Hamid from 350 Singapore, as well as Francis Joseph Dela Cruz of Climate Action Network International.
Thought-provoking questions were asked by the panelists and participants were challenged to think of more positive and creative campaigns. Ideas on integrating climate change related issues into corporate social responsibility programs, diverting food waste to on-site composting units, encouraging establishments to go polystyrene-free, animal conservation and creative actions, and even having “green kampong” communities in the urbanised Singapore were brought up during the pitch. These campaign ideas will be synergised and developed further into an actual campaign, in the coming months.
Singaporeans, to find out how to contribute through our programmes:
Young NTUC is the youth wing of the Labour Movement in Singapore. We represent young working adults aged 35 and below. Since our founding in 2005, we have grown to over 180,000 members, making us the largest youth movement in Singapore.
As a national youth movement, we strive for fair and just opportunity and sustainable progress for all young workers in Singapore. Our programmes are designed to address the areas of Decent Wages, Advocacy, Fairness, Society, Environment and Space. Outreach and engagement with members are through two touch-points: Team Young NTUC and Youth Chapters. For more information, please refer to www.youngntuc.org.sg.
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