Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Halogen Foundation 2020 Award Ceremony

Dr. Ann Tan, Chairperson of the Halogen Foundation Gala Committee,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon and a happy new year to everyone. I am pleased to join you today at the Halogen Foundation 2020 Award Ceremony.

Over the past 17 years, the Halogen Foundation has grown as a platform for youths to take on a wider scope of leadership and community work. It seeks to influence and inspire a generation of young people to lead themselves and others well.

In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted our economic and social activities. Despite these challenges, we must continue to invest in our youths to better prepare them for the post-COVID-19 future, so that they can emerge stronger from this crisis. For many young people today who did not experience SARS or were too young then to remember much of what happened, COVID-19 is indeed an eye opener. For one thing it teaches us not to expect things to develop in a linear progression all the time.

Disruptions to our lives can happen at any time and from any source, and are sometimes quite unexpected. We can plan but no plan is perfect, and a lot depends too on the human tenacity and ability to adapt, change and bounce back. So our mental preparation for the many challenges that we will face in life is as important as the acquisition of competencies and skills. What defines us and shapes our future is not how well we can run in the 100 metres race but whether we have the stamina to endure the long distance running. Above all, stay grounded, stay humble and never lose your humanity.

In this regard, the various youth development programmes of Halogen is important in helping our youths gain useful skills and develop entrepreneurial mindset – crucial life skills to thrive in the future economy. I am glad to see many young and promising leaders here today. Let me take this opportunity to share two positive stories amongst this year’s awardees.

Javier Ng, from ITE College Central, is a winner of the National Young Leader Award 2020. Javier is a member of the Youth Advisory Group from the National Committee on Prevention, Rehabilitation and Recidivism. He is also a volunteer at Meet-the-People sessions and most recently as a Safe Distancing Ambassador. Javier’s desire to be a champion for the vulnerable groups in society has motivated him to use his influence for good. In 2019, he initiated an anti-drug campaign, Drug Free SG, while studying in ITE. Through the campaign, he hoped to use his personal story to keep at-risk youths away from drug abuse.

Another example is the winner of the Global Young Entrepreneur award, Khea Yap from St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School. The Halogen Foundation’s entrepreneurship programme provides support to aspiring entrepreneurs like Khea, and enables them to step out of their comfort zone to seek new challenges. Through its entrepreneurship curriculum and business coaching, Khea developed and pitched a winning business idea – a customised modular physical platform that helps interior design ideas come to life.  I wish Khea all the best as she will be representing Singapore at the NFTE (pronounced as ‘nifty’) Global Showcase to be held later this year.

Halogen Foundation’s work is aligned with the Government’s commitment to developing youths who are future-ready and committed to Singapore. For example, the National Youth Council’s Youth Corps Leaders Programme helps youths build up leadership skills and gain perspectives on national issues. Other platforms such as the National Youth Fund and Young Changemakers provide youths with resources to lead ground-up initiatives and make a positive change in our society.

In closing, let me express my appreciation on behalf of Halogen Foundation to Tan Chong International Limited and OUE Limited, for their giving efforts to the Foundation this year.

Once again, congratulations to all the awardees. I hope you can be a source of inspiration for others to make a positive impact on our society. Thank you.