youth action symposium
About
#yas
Singaporean youths are concerned about social issues. Many have turned to online activism, to voice their concerns and frustrations. While an increase in social awareness is needed and welcome; it is equally important to turn our concerns & ideas into initiatives & deeds.
The Youth Action Symposium (YAS) aims to provide a broad and balanced perspective on social issues; while nurturing thought and inspiring youths to co-curate a better Singapore.
#YAS
Can Social Media Make A Difference?
While social media is great for raising awareness and encouraging mass participation, the question remains about how much of that translates into real-world action. If not, what are the factors that prevent/discourage us from being more involved – beyond likes and the sharing of petitions?
We will be drawing on the various perspectives and opinions of our guest panelists – to explore this topic deeply while covering a spectrum of views. Throughout the session you will have the opportunity to share what’s important to you, and chat with our panelists about your unanswered questions.
programme
“Can Social Media Make A Difference?”
Exploring how we can harness the power of social media for real-world change.
Opening Remarks
Introduction by the Moderator.
Perspectives from our Panelists
Social Media Activism: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. Going beyond the Hashtag, and translating Likes & Shares into actions that make a difference.
Q&A Time
Panelists + Moderator
Closing Remarks & Announcements
Rounding up the evening by the Moderator.
Info
Our Panelists
Meet our speakers for the event.
Timothy Anand Weerasekera
Timothy is a communications manager at a local church. He was formerly a full-time humanitarian worker based in Uganda, and later as the special projects coordinator for the Barnabas Fund, a project funding agency dedicated to protecting the religiously persecuted people and providing humanitarian aid.
Tim previously worked at the futures division of the Prime Minister’s Office and later moved to SMU where he helped build a leadership institute for the late S R Nathan. Tim is also deeply interested in anti-human trafficking work and co-founded the Scarlet Web, a coalition of Christian NGOs that looks into matters related to this subject.
He is currently a part of the team at Regardless.sg which seeks to provide balanced, reasoned commentary on local social and political issues.
Bryna Sim
She believes in loving people, having empathy, and living with courage and wisdom.
Isaac Ong
His heart is for the under-served in our communities and taps onto the potential of our media platforms to raise awareness of social issues around Asia. He started Colours Global, a social enterprise that tackles social problems.
He has spent the last 4 years doing rehabilitative work through music and art in the Singapore Girls Home, and at present assisting a NGO in Batam that seeks to provide a better life for the children living in the slums.
Isaac believes that change does not need to be tough and impossible, but it starts with a self-awareness of what we have in our hands.
Info
Our Moderator
The man who will facilitate the discussions.
Alvin Ong
Alvin oversees fundraising and awareness projects as the country manager at RADION International’s Singapore office.
He believes each of us has a part to play in uplifting the less fortunate amongst us, and is passionate about helping people give the best of themselves in service to the vulnerable.