Youths a generation ago would’ve been accused of apathy and disengagement. Today, the zeitgeist has shifted dramatically—youths are awake, aware, and unwilling to be silenced. But while voices are raised and opinions are expressed, thanks to social media, a new challenge arises: In the online world where rapid reactions are encouraged and rewarded, how will youths cultivate the patience, understanding of nuance, and depth required for meaningful dialogue with each other?
Born of Necessity
And Pte Ltd, an organisational development (OD) consultancy firm that looks at organisational and system health, recognised the need to equip youths with the knowledge, language, and fundamentals underpinning the notion of diversity and inclusion.
"The goal is to help young people form their own thoughts and opinions,” shares Debra Lam, Programme Lead at And Pte Ltd, “We guide them in facilitating civic dialogue, teaching them how to listen before reacting.
Debra teaching participants during the 2-day programme
Empowering Youths, Together
Debrief session at the end of trail
“We believe that is the sustainable mode of engagement to develop more civic-minded and informed citizens,” Lau Yu Ching, Programme Lead at And Pte Ltd explains further.
One of their programmes, Managing the Tension Between Self and Others is a two-day workshop that encourages individuals to delve into the fundamentals of human complexity. Using curriculum from the field of OD, part of the syllabus includes an introduction to Human Systems Theory, where participants explore how personal worldviews, dispositions, and coping strategies contribute to the tensions within any work or family system. Participants are taught not only to see the visible conflicts but to also understand the underlying dynamics that can drive division.
Debra teaching participants during the 2-day programme
A Learning Journey
To complement the two-day programme, And Pte Ltd also conducts Civic Trails—an immersive experience that exposes participants to the broader context that all our systems exist in. Embarking on facilitated tours through Little India and Jalan Kukoh, participants explore topics like tensions surrounding migrant diversity, income inequality, and power structures in Singapore.
“In each of the trails, we cover a specific theme that is related to current affairs and societal issues at hand,” explains Yu Ching. “Participants get insights to the layers of complexities within a given issue, and also hear from a wide range of perspectives from the diverse participants through group discussions throughout the trails.”
The goal isn't necessarily to resolve every issue but to foster deeper inquiry—a crucial step towards developing a more mature and nuanced understanding of complex topics. Zee, a participant who also works in the youth development space, found empathy in these trails. “It showed me how answers are sometimes not straightforward, and hence why some of these societal issues persist despite well-intentioned policies and initiatives.”
The Ripple Effect
Zee, who also took part in Managing the Tension Between Self and Others, recounts his experience: “I used to shy away from such conversation as I did not know how to contribute. The course allowed me to unpack these conversations through polarity thinking, giving me the vocabulary to cover such topics. It got me to appreciate my work in the youth development space more, now being able to see the contributing factors to complexities and how they interact with one another.”
Ashley, on the other hand, has always been quite comfortable discussing ideas, but through And Pte Ltd, learnt how to appreciate the different points of views. Also a participant, and a Social Studies teacher and Head of Department, Ashley says: “I've grown to be more intentional in truly listening—not just to the words people are saying, but to the place they're coming from that shapes their thoughts and actions.”
Group photo at Jalan Kukoh trail
Zee, Ashley, and many other participants have taken the insights gained from the programme and trails into their work with youths, as well as into their personal lives and relationships. "The experience has made me more vulnerable when it comes to such topics, and I believe creating experiences like this is the future of learning," Ashley affirms.
Youths engaging in personal reflections at the end of trail
Funding the Future
To make the training programmes and Civic Trails possible, accessible, and affordable required help from friends. The support from the National Youth Fund (NYF) played a key role in enabling And Pte Ltd to expand their vision and reach more youths through their programme. Beyond just funding, National Youth Council (NYC) helped connect And Pte Ltd with communities and youth organisations for prospective partnerships and collaborations. “Having NYC’s support and understanding through the multiple iterations we made was also really helpful, allowing us to adapt and pivot to better suit the needs of our target audience,” explains Yu Ching.
“Yes! The NYC team really took an effort to understand the programme,” Debra adds. “A personal highlight was when a reviewer asked to participate in the programme instead of just being an observer!”
Yu Ching teaching in action
As And Pte Ltd looks to the future, the mission remains clear: To continue equipping youths with the capacity to hold thoughtful and informed discussions. By fostering empathy, understanding, and resilience, And Pte Ltd is building the foundation for healthier communities, one conversation at a time. “We’re not here to change people. We’re here to raise awareness and help them see different perspectives. The choice to see and choose differently comes from within.” Debra concludes.
Debra and Yu Ching after 2 days of hard and heart work
Empowering Youths, Together
NYC shares And’s mission. Along with the funding, NYC connected And with potential communities that helped reach out to as many youths as possible. If you're looking to make a positive difference and support innovative youth programmes, consider how the NYF can help you achieve your goals.
