23 May 2021, Singapore – Speaking at UN Global Compact Network Singapore’s (GCNS) annual regional Youth Forum on sustainability, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu and Speaker of Parliament, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, encouraged youths to actively shape the path towards a more sustainable future as Singapore and the region emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.

Held virtually from 22 – 23 May 2021, the theme for this year’s Youth Forum was ‘Embracing the New Normal: Moving Forward as One ASEAN’. The two-day Forum featured a series of virtual site visits, interactive panel discussions, and career networking sessions led by thought leaders in sustainability.

Topics discussed included:

• COVID-19’s impacts on consumerism, the sustainability of supply chains and waste management, and the role youths can play in being impactful changemakers
• The future of work: leading trends influencing current job markets, predictions of emerging industries and the critical skills and mindsets that youths should adopt

Delivering a keynote speech for the Youth Forum on 22 May, Minister Grace Fu highlighted Singapore’s efforts in sustainability and how the nation is embarking on a sustainable recovery to build back stronger. Minister Grace Fu also shared how youths across ASEAN can contribute to the sustainability agenda in a fireside chat with Ms Goh Swee Chen, President, GCNS. 

“Achieving Singapore’s sustainability goals will require the collective efforts of every stakeholder – from businesses to community groups and individuals. Our youths have an especially important role to play in this endeavour, as they have the highest stakes in our country’s future. We want to tap into their passion, skills and experiences, and work with them to co-create solutions to make Singapore a City of Green Possibilities.,” said Minister Grace Fu.

During his dialogue at the Youth Forum on 23 May, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin addressed the participants’ questions on navigating the future of work and preparing themselves for the new economy.

To stay agile and relevant amid a competitive global market, Speaker Tan urged youths to stay abreast of not just local but also international developments to keep their skill sets current. Cultivating a resilient and adaptive mindset is also vital, as competition and collaboration can work hand-in-hand in bringing out one’s best self in surmounting any challenges or unanticipated disruptions.

“Keep learning, keep evolving, keep adjusting,” he added while encouraging youths to stay nimble and embrace the ethos of life-long learning.

The Youth Forum also included a virtual career networking session, organised in partnership with Young NTUC. Youth delegates benefitted from the opportunity to interact with experienced professionals across 5 different industries: Travel and Hospitality, Healthcare, Food & Agri-Tech, Professional Services and Logistics.

Beyond learning more about professionals’ career journeys, delegates also gained insights on the emerging trends within each industry, and the required knowledge and skills to adapt accordingly.

“Travel and tourism is intrinsically dependent on natural and cultural heritage, and embraces sustainability to safeguard the very foundation of this industry. Pre-COVID-19, travel and tourism accounted for 10% of global GDP and sustainability practitioners are in high demand. Sustainability careers in hospitality benefit from a science background to measure impact, but require creative communication and mediation skills to engage and bring together travellers, employees and local communities to develop partnership and stewardship,” said participating career mentor Dr Steve Newman, Group Sustainability Director, Banyan Tree Group and Coordinating Director, Banyan Tree Foundation

The two-day virtual Youth Forum saw around 450 youth delegates tuning in from Singapore and internationally.

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About UN Global Compact Singapore Network (GCNS)

UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) is the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As the leading voice on corporate sustainability, GCNS drives multi-stakeholder action to forge a more sustainable future, founded on the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information about GCNS, visit https://unglobalcompact.sg/

More About the GCNS Youth Forum

Convened by UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, and spearheaded by a team of youth volunteers, the GCNS Youth Forum is conceptualised, planned and implemented by youths for youths.

Targeting youths between 18 – 35 years old, the Forum aims to equip delegates with a deeper knowledge on sustainability and empower them to make a difference. Through plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops, delegates will have a chance to gain insights into different roles that are vital to achieving sustainable development, whether as consumers, corporate employees, entrepreneurs, and/or civic leaders.

For more information on the GCNS Youth Forum, visit http://www.gcnsyouthforum.org/

For more information on the full list of speakers, visit: http://www.gcnsyouthforum.org/speakers/

To access screenshots of the GCNS Youth Forum 2021, please head here.

Media Contact

Aditi Mehrotra Sahni
Senior Marketing Manager                                                    
Email: aditi.sahni@unglobalcompact.sg       
UN Global Compact Network Singapore