Singapore, 14 January 2017 - The Singapore Red Cross Youth (RCY) today launched a Youth Leadership Badge to provide youths in Singapore with a comprehensive programme for leadership in humanitarian causes.

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for the Ministry of Education, was the Guest-of-Honour at the launch event, which was attended by some 950 Red Cross Youth, teachers, and parents, at Victoria Junior College. 

Noting the significance of the badge, Dr Janil said, "The Youth Leadership Badge develops youths into role-models of active citizenry. We will always need more young leaders to build our future."

The Youth Leadership Badge programme will be offered at secondary schools and tertiary institutions with an RCY unit, and at RCY clubs in the community. The programme has three levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold.

The Bronze badge allows youth to learn the values and skills of leadership and engages youth in humanitarian activities such as blood donation advocacy, the delivery of first aid and community service.

The Silver badge challenges youth to tap on their skills and experience to lead other youth in initiatives and projects to support the humanitarian programmes and beneficiaries at the Singapore Red Cross (SRC).

The Gold badge empowers youth to showcase their leadership skills and experience, by sharing best practices and presenting an initiative to benefit the community.

Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO for the Singapore Red Cross, said, “The Youth Leadership Badges indicate one’s leadership achievements, but leadership is defined not only by one’s achievements, but more importantly, by how much one has helped others. The programme prepares youth to be life-long leaders in the advancement of humanity, for their family, community, country or in the international arena.”

Under the programme, youth will participate in community resilience initiatives driven by the Singapore Red Cross. These include the National Blood Donor Recruitment, FoodAid, TransportAid, and the Community-Led Action for REsilience programme.

Youth will have opportunities to apply what they have learnt from the programme, in the annual RCY Trailblazers Championship and RCY Ambassadors Blood Donation Competition. In the RCY Trailblazers Championship[d], participants propose and present an idea or project to improve their community. In the RCY Ambassadors Blood Donation Competition, participants make a three minute pitch to convince their fellow youth to donate blood.

At the launch event, 104 youth from 26 schools set up booths and presented their Trailblazer Championship ideas and projects to a panel of judges comprising SRC staff and senior RCY members. 70 youth from 26 schools also participated in the RCY Ambassadors Blood Donation Competition held at the event.

Speech by Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General Singapore Red Cross