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http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1062e4d4-c9a9-11dc-b5dc-000077b07658.html

Investing in Young People

Bernise Ang: A catalyst for change

By George Cole

Published: January 24 2008 15:46 | Last updated: January 24 2008 15:46

While Bernise Ang was studying psychology at the University of New South Wales in 2002, the 22-year-old student made a startling discovery. Ms Ang became actively involved in student welfare and was soon engaged in a campaign for the rights of international students on public transport. This was finally settled in the students’ favour.

“It was through this experience that I saw how young people could make change happen if they pooled their energy and intelligence together,” explains Ms Ang. “I was particularly touched by the other student activists I was working with – their passion, dedication, and faith in social justice in the face of massive brick walls. It was just inspiring.”

The epiphany ultimately inspired Ms Ang to establish Syinc (formerly known as the Singapore International Youth Council) in 2006 with the aim of connecting young Singaporeans for social change. The organisation’s impact led to Ms Ang being honoured with a YouthActionNet Fellowship in 2007. Launched in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation and Nokia, this programme recognises 20 exceptional young social entrepreneurs from around the world every year.

“[Syinc] is filling a niche as a catalyst for change through young people, who are smart and leverage business thinking with Web 2.0 technology [such as social networking] for social change,” says Ms Ang.

She says young people have a crucial role to play in society because “they’re a key link within the community, relevant at the grassroots, are increasingly ICT savvy, and upwardly mobile – they essentially possess enormous potential to shape what our societies are going to look like in the near future.

“Young people bring with them a fresh perspective, a desire to be heard, and a sense of possibility. Also, their sheer energy and enthusiasm is an under-utilised, low-cost resource for positive social impact.”

Syinc has around 40 volunteers, who are a mix of students and young professionals. Its networks have a potential reach of around 25 groups and some 15,000 individuals. “The internet is paramount to our work – our operations are almost entirely online!” says Ms Ang.

The organisation is concerned with a wide range of social issues including the environment, HIV/Aids, education, fair trade and social entrepreneurship. Its activities have included a Youth Aids Day, a Climate Change Youth Action Project, and a youth workshop on the Millennium Development Goals. This May, Pangea Day will use film to bring together young people from across the globe in an effort to foster greater understanding.

“A big goal for us within the next five years is to transition to a business model, to reduce our reliance on grants and sponsors, and ultimately be more sustainable as an organisation,” says Ms Ang.

With her energy, passion and commitment to enabling young people become agents of change, it would be a brave person who bets against this happening.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1062e4d4-c9a9-11dc-b5dc-000077b07658.html


January 31, 2008 | 4:51 AM Comments  0 comments

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