Page 34 - NYAA Annual Report 2021

Appendix 13

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2021

Our Work: Programmes and Activities

Since our official launch by the President of the Republic of Singapore in May 1992, the NYAA has facilitated
and witnessed a powerful transformation of more than half a million young men and women through the
NYAA’s learning journey. This is no small feat, especially as students enrol for the programme voluntarily to
attain the awards. The NYAA has contributed significantly to building future generations of community leaders
for Singapore.

The NYAA has provided opportunities and platforms for young people to develop into passionate and
responsible citizens. As a result, many of them actively contribute to the community. The NYAA Gold Award
holders effectively contribute to Singapore in various ways.

In 2021, Singapore continued to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It disrupted many of our youth
leadership development projects and activities as they were put on hold due to the Safe Management
Measures imposed by the health authorities. Unfortunately, our daily life has never been the same as before.
NYAA had to find alternative ways for our young people in the NYAA Programme to navigate and cope with the
COVID-19 pandemic and innovatively continue their NYAA learning journey.

The NYAA leveraged technology to help our youth in the NYAA Programme overcome the setback by replacing
physical activities with online activities. We felt this was the best way to keep the momentum going.

The NYAA operating partners have been encouraged to continue to hold their NYAA ceremonies and events
online so that efforts put in by our young people are recognised. We are pleased that despite the challenges
faced, our operating partners, educational institutions and youth/community organisations (including the
Prisons Services) continued to remain motivated and provided the young people with the opportunities and
platform to participate in the NYAA Programme.

We are very encouraged that our award recipients, especially members of the NYAA Gold Award Holders’
Alumni, continued to play an active role in serving the community and helping the vulnerable in our society
with much-needed assistance through various community projects.

Despite the challenges in 2021, our NYAA recipients and participants have made their schools, families, NYAA
and Singapore proud through perseverance, resilience, and a never-give-up attitude.

PARTNERSHIP (LOCAL)

The NYAA Secretariat continued to build and strengthen our partnerships with the government and other
partners such as:

• Ministry of Education (MOE) Statutory Boards and Agencies:
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment • People’s Association (PA)
(MSE)
• Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth • National Park Board (NParks)
(MCCY)
• Public Utilities Board (PUB)
• Ministry of Social and Family Development
(MSF) • Community Development Councils (CDCs)
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

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