On Nov 8, 2025, more than 200 students, some as young as 15, gathered for the Fireside Chat with Trailblazers, a day dedicated to exploring four urgent themes shaping Singapore’s next chapter: Climate Action, Social Impact, Resilient Minds, and Tech for Good.
A Morning That Set the Tone for Impact
The forum began with a lively breakfast mixer – music, conversation and an instant sense of community. It wasn’t just an icebreaker; it marked the start of a day where collaboration, curiosity, and courage took centre stage.
Students quickly found themselves asking bigger questions:
What kind of Singapore do we want to build? What role will we play in shaping it?
Collaboration is Where Change Begins
Amidst the cool and comfortable environment of Republic Polytechnic’s Agora Halls, discussions kicked off with a bang, with speakers from a myriad of industries taking the stage to share their knowledge and answer burning questions from today’s youth. Throughout the day, a total of 11 professionals from various fields, including sustainability, game design, media, and social work, came together to offer insights not only into their work but also into their journeys in progressing through their careers.
In his opening remarks, Mr Jordi Woudstra, Head of Outreach at the Singapore Environment Council, underscored a message that threaded through the entire forum: meaningful change requires people who share a purpose. “It’s important to be surrounded by a like-minded community. When everyone is volunteering for the same goal, the impact is much stronger,” he said.
He reminded youths that leadership isn’t only about action – it is about holding onto values cultivated from a young age. “People tend to forget the good practices learnt in primary and secondary school. It’s important to remember and carry those habits forward.”
This grounding in values resonated strongly with the forum’s emphasis on purpose-driven youth leadership, something NYC champions nationwide.
How Amazing, As a Young Person, to Shape Society
Whether tackling climate issues or designing tech for social good, youths were encouraged to recognise their agency. Mr Josh Lee Kok Thong, Advisor of YouthTech SG, captured this spirit memorably: “How amazing is that as a young person? To be able to shape society and make it a better place for not just yourself, but for the people around you.”
His message was simple, youth voices matter and Singapore needs them more than ever.
Imagining Future Solutions, One Lego Brick at a Time
The forum took a creative turn with a Lego Serious Play session, where students built visual metaphors for their hopes, challenges, and ideas. Towers, bridges, gardens, each structure represented a different vision for Singapore’s future.
Far from child’s play, the activity spurred critical reflection: What does sustainability look like? How do we balance innovation with empathy? What stories do we want future generations to tell?
Fireside Chat: Believing in Yourself to Create Change
In the afternoon, the second fireside chat shifted the spotlight to resilience, courage, and youth-driven innovation.
Speakers shared personal stories of setbacks, breakthroughs, and the determination required to advocate for a kinder, more sustainable Singapore.
Miss Falice Ann, founder of One Wish SG, urged youths to stay mentally agile, “Youths should have a strong and resilient mind that doesn’t get stale. Don’t shape your opinions just to fit into society.”
Meanwhile, Mr Dev Bal, Director of Mages Studio, reminded youths that time and how they choose to use it defines opportunity, “It is very important that as a youth, you do not take your time for granted.”
Their message converged into one powerful takeaway – change begins with believing your ideas are worth pursuing.
Shaping Tomorrow Starts Within
The reflections shared by youths throughout the day align closely with Singapore’s broader youth vision, one that the National Youth Council continues to champion:
A generation that is future-ready, community-minded, and unafraid to lead with purpose.
The forum reinforced a truth that resonates far beyond RP’s campus:
Impact does not require grand gestures. It starts with steady habits, thoughtful collaboration, emotional resilience, and the willingness to imagine bold possibilities together.
For many students, the Youth Action Forum wasn’t merely a school event, it was an invitation to step into their roles as Singapore’s next changemakers.
The day closed with a reminder that the future is not a distant horizon; it is built every day through the choices young people make.
Confidence, independence, and courage begin from within. And when aligned with strong values, every youth has the power to shape a more vibrant, compassionate, and sustainable Singapore.
