Youth Carnival 2020 was launched on 12 December 2020 by Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister for Finance, Heng Swee Keat 1 , and was broadcast live via the Bedok North Neighbourhood Police Centre’s Facebook page. The online event was organised by Bedok Police Division, in partnership with the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) and People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM) and supported by the National Youth Council (NYC) and Youth Corps Singapore (YCS).
The is the second year that Bedok Police Division has organised the Youth Carnival 2 and the theme for this year’s carnival is “Get involved. Stay Informed.” The event aims to empower youths to be more actively involved in their communities, especially given the difficult COVID-19 period, and encourage them to stay vigilant to cyber threats and scams as the use of digital technology becomes more widespread.
Key speakers included the Deputy Chief Executive (Development) of CSA, Mr Gaurav Keerthi, and the Chairperson of Kampong Chai Chee Community Club Youth Network, Ms Xue Jing. The carnival also featured police officers from Bedok Police Division who not only shared about their work and the next-generation Fast Response Car, but also showcased their talent in various music and dance performances.
Commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Julius Lim, said, “The road to safer and more secure neighbourhoods begins with an active citizenry. When youths are involved in volunteer work, they are not only uplifting the well-being of the community, they are also helping to reduce opportunities for crime. Bedok Police Division is proud to organise the Youth Carnival for the second consecutive year. We are grateful for the support of CSA, PAYM, NYC and YCS, among other agencies, and will continue to support community initiatives in our neighbourhoods.”
ANNEX A
SPEECH BY MR HENG SWEE KEAT, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER,
COORDINATING MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICIES AND MINISTER FOR
FINANCE AT THE OPENING OF THE YOUTH CARNIVAL 2020 ON SATURDAY,
12 DECEMBER 2020
Welcome to our Youth Carnival 2020!
This is the second year that we are holding the Bedok Youth Carnival. For the first Youth Carnival, held last year, more than 10,000 residents came together at Heartbeat @ Bedok, to learn about the work of our public agencies, and the many ways they could get involved in our community.
This year’s Youth Carnival is also a first. It is certainly my first online youth carnival, and may be a first for many of you too.
It is quite fitting that this year’s carnival is online. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all spending more time online, especially with home-based learning during the Circuit Breaker. We have been using technology to work, play, learn, and even make a contribution to the community.
That is why we have asked our friends from the Cyber Security Agency to join us today, to share with us how we can be alert to fake news, scammers, and hackers. The better we can protect ourselves from cyber-threats, the better we can use technology and the internet to enrich our lives and connect with one another, while keeping ourselves and our families safe.
Living in a COVID-19 world does not mean we can’t continue to make new friends or make an impact. In fact, all the more, we need to care for the elderly and vulnerable, and support our essential workers. Every one of us can lend support to those around who are having a harder time coping with the pandemic. Our friends from the People’s Association Youth Movement are also here today to share with us about the 107 Youth Clubs across Singapore, and the many interesting initiatives in which you can take part.
Through the activities we have lined up for you today, we hope that you will “Get Involved. Stay Informed”.
Before we start the carnival, let me say thank you to the Bedok Police Division for organising this Carnival. Some of you may know – my first job was as a policeman. As a policeman, I learned that one of the jobs of the policeman is, not just to catch criminals and keep residents safe, but in fact to make friends with our community and support our community to be the best that it can be. It is wonderful to see Bedok Police Division doing this with us in today’s Youth Carnival. When you see our men and women in blue patrolling the neighbourhood, do say hello. They are here to keep you safe and well, and keep this a great home for all of us.
Thank you for spending your Saturday afternoon with us. Get involved. Stay informed. Enjoy the Carnival!
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 December 2020 @ 1:55 PM