National issues raised in "Kopi with the Minister" talks
SINGAPORE: A dialogue session -- "Kopi with the Minister" -- was held on Monday in a bid to engage youths more actively on national issues.
Students from local universities participated and shared their views on issues they feel passionate about.
Some of the issues discussed included top sportsmen and National Service (NS).
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing said: "NS is very heavy responsibility for all Singaporean males.
"It's not something that we do lightly because there is a price to be paid.
"When you have conscription, the question is - can you have conscription and partial conscription?"
Major-General (NS) Chan was responding to a student who had asked why NS always takes priority over an individual's sporting ambitions, especially since the age between 18 and 22 is a peak period of their physical prowess.
Other questions raised included how the government can nurture a healthy online culture, and how it balances between pragmatism and popularity in making decisions.
With the theme "youths and active citizenry", the session allowed youths to understand the thinking behind key policy decisions.
Full-time national serviceman Kwan Jin Yeo said: "I think policy forums like this are a good starting point in terms of generating feedback and interest in issues that most youths are concerned about in Singapore.
"But I think moving forward, there needs to be more specific discourse on issues because a theme like active citizenry is quite broad.
"There needs to be specific sessions where individuals can talk about issues on a more in-depth and focused perspective as well."
Kopi Talk sessions will be held several times a year, with the next one slated for early next year.
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