Page 9 - 30th Ann Book FV 2

Message

The National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) was officially launched by the President of the Republic of
Singapore, Mr Wee Kim Wee, in 1992. We did not expect it to become one of Singapore’s most popular and
successful youth initiatives. Over the past 30 years, the NYAA has had over 700,000 youths participate in our
programmes. Many of them today hold key positions in public and private sector organisations. But, more
significantly, it’s evident that the spirit of serving with passion and compassion has grown steadily since the seeds
were planted during their journey with the NYAA. The truth is that it is not just the efficacy of the programmes
but a sort of osmotic process where humility meets confidence, and leadership becomes about serving. For me, a
distinctive mark of success of any initiative is when those involved display pride in association, where they return
with enthusiasm to pay it forward to the subsequent generations. The NYAA, in many ways, is a movement by our
youths for our youths to serve from the heart.

Youths today have much greater exposure. Technology has enabled them to stretch the bounds of knowledge and
communicate instantaneously. This means that organisations like the NYAA must move with time and regularly
expand the menu of offerings. These have to remain relevant, accessible, fulfilling and exciting. It’s got to be
different strokes for different folks! This is why starting with the gold, silver and bronze awards, the NYAA rolled
out many activities, from serving the community to climate change activism. The common factor is a deepened
appreciation for the many excellent experiences in Singapore. The NYAA’s activities offer all aspects of charity,
and communitarian work often translates to a commitment to a cause and advocacy for it. This often boosted
their confidence – especially when they had to make presentations to a distinguished audience. Their exemplary
attitude and conduct made them stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. Our youths made us
proud!

As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our NYAA Advisory Board,
fellow Council Members, a most hardworking Secretariat, and the NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni.

We are grateful to our President of the Republic of Singapore and our cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament.
Thank you for your unwavering support through your patronage and time.

For my colleagues and I, it is a privilege and honour to have this ringside opportunity to help prepare our young
to embrace a challenging yet exciting future.

Eugene Seah
Chairman
National Youth Achievement Award Council

30 Years of Bringing out the Best in our Youths 5