Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 97

Issue 16: Community Work in the Future
Post-Panel Discussion
What measures can be undertaken to encourage sustainable community work for the future?
Recommendation 1: Exposure to Community Work from Primary School
• In primary school when students are more impressionable, consider making community
work mandatory. The students do not need to engage in planning, but merely be exposed to
the various projects/initiatives that can be done to uplift the lives of the beneficiaries.
• In secondary school, instead of imposing the CIP system, allow students to engage in self-
initiated community projects, where they can take greater ownership and choose a
beneficiary to work with. There should be a mentorship team within each secondary school
to guide the students in crafting these projects and executing them. We could possibly tap
into the National Youth Council to assist with mentorship.
Recommendation 2: Creation of Volunteer App (on Mobiles) i.e. Database
• In this volunteer app, there will be different types of beneficiaries and the ongoing projects
that require volunteers. Various organisations can state their projects on this app (similar to
job listings online).
• Volunteers who download this app can create a profile where they will indicate their
interests and skills which will allow for matching of the skilled volunteers to the beneficiaries.
• This app can be created by IT professionals or undergraduates and subsequently managed by
national platforms such as the National Youth Council or SINDA (community-specific
volunteerism).
Issue 16: Community Work in the Future
PAGE 97