Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the PAYM 50th Anniversary Live Show

Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Second Minister for Law and Deputy Chairman of People’s Association

Ladies and gentlemen

Good evening. I am pleased to join everyone, including those who are with us virtually, to commemorate the People’s Association Youth Movement’s (PAYM) 50th anniversary.

Youth have been key to Singapore’s nation-building. Your passion and drive in championing various initiatives and supporting social causes through volunteerism have made a difference to others. As Singapore progresses, I am glad that our youth have in turn become even more committed to give back to the community so that no one gets left behind. This is the spirit of the Singapore Cares (SG Cares) movement.

In this regard, PAYM has also evolved to empower youth with the opportunities and resources to pursue the causes they care about. Over the years, PAYM has continued to innovate in response to emerging trends and challenges faced by youth and society at large. Under the leadership of the PAYM Council and with the support of the 91 Youth Networks, PAYM has become the leading youth organisation in Singapore, offering a wide spectrum of interesting and meaningful programmes. I am confident that PAYM will continue to support our youth in championing initiatives for the betterment of the community.

One such initiative is the #PAYM50Green campaign. It is heartening that our youth have harnessed their energy to support national initiatives like the SG Green Plan. Ground-up support is a crucial element in raising awareness about climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. These efforts will safeguard our home for future generations. With the support of our young leaders, we can do better for the environment.

In addition to climate change, there are many other causes that youth today are passionate about, such as mental health, women empowerment, caring for animals, and community service. Our youth today are contributing actively to the SG Cares movement to build a more caring and inclusive society.

Take for example, mental health. PAYM has been engaging youths to raise awareness about mental health through projects such as “Resilience for Life”, which was held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, and in collaboration with nEbO and ITE College East. The webinar saw 285 youths coming together to share their experiences and views about mental health. Youth Leaders from the PAYM Council spoke about how they overcame obstacles during their volunteer work, while speakers from partners like the Singapore Association for Mental Health imparted their knowledge and tips on managing stress and emotions for better mental well-being. I encourage all of you to continue such projects to build compassion and provide a supportive, understanding environment for your peers.

As youth, you are one of Singapore’s greatest assets. You are creative, passionate and full of dynamism. These traits will enable you to make meaningful contributions to society. I hope that you will continue leveraging your collective energy to address the community’s needs. I hope that you will also tap on each other’s strengths to provide an ecosystem of support as you develop your initiatives, ideas, and plans. We can shape a culture of care by starting with ourselves.

In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone for your active role in the community. PAYM’s Golden Jubilee is a significant milestone that reflects the strength of our youth networks. I congratulate you on your hard work and dedication to the community over the past 50 years. I am confident that PAYM will continue to do good work in the next 50 years and beyond. I urge PAYM to remain steadfast in your commitment to enable youths from all walks of life to do good and build an endearing Singapore that cares. Thank you.