National Youth Achievement Award Council

National Youth Achievement Award Council The National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Programme is an exciting personal challenge for young people between the ages of 13 and 30 years old.

The National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) is one of Singapore’s premier youth development programmes. The NYAA is a non-competitive programme where participants can develop personal qualities of self-reliance, perseverance and responsibility to society. Through the NYAA Journey, participants gain the life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world.

How do we navigate truth in a world where misinformation spreads faster than facts? With AI and social media reshaping h...
29/05/2026

How do we navigate truth in a world where misinformation spreads faster than facts?

With AI and social media reshaping how information is created and consumed, conversations around trust, credibility, and misinformation have become more important than ever. In fact, the World Economic Forum identified misinformation and disinformation as among the most severe global risks facing societies today.

We were honoured to host Professor Gianni Riotta, Visiting Professor, Princeton University and Director, Data Lab LUISS University, Italy, for a thought-provoking keynote and fireside chat on the growing challenges of misinformation — from the limits of fact-checking to a deeper issue at the core of it all: the erosion of public trust.

One line that stayed with many of us:
“Trust is the coin of the realm. Without trust, nothing works.”

The discussion underscored the importance of strengthening digital literacy, rebuilding trust within communities to enhance societal resilience, and using research and data more effectively to understand how misinformation spreads. Only then can we hope to win the fight against misinformation and allow truth to prevail.

Thank you to our Guest-of-Honour, H.E. Dante Brandi; our partners, the Embassy of Italy in Singapore and LUISS School of Journalism; Professor Gianni; and moderator Ms Joon-Nie Lau, Director of the Singapore Press Club Ltd and Member of the NYAA Council, for making this event a success and for contributing to such a rich exchange of Eastern and Western perspectives on one of the most important issues shaping our digital future.

We also thank all our guests for taking the time to join us for this meaningful discussion.

Featured on Lianhe Zaobao - bit.ly/4o1m8da
Ambasciata d’Italia a Singapore
Scuola di Giornalismo Luiss

✨ A splendid success for the NYAA x PAYM Sharing Session last weekend! Thank you, PA Youth & Sports Division, for having...
22/05/2026

✨ A splendid success for the NYAA x PAYM Sharing Session last weekend! Thank you, PA Youth & Sports Division, for having us!

Grateful to all Youth Network (YN) members for the strong turnout and keen interest in the NYAA programme. It was a pleasure meeting enthusiastic youths who are actively serving their communities on the ground

Delighted to also meet NYAA GAHA (Gold Award Holders' Alumni) members currently serving in various YNs — Khalid Rashid (Telok Blangah YN), Sherry Lee (Boon Lay YN), and Leong Mun Kit (Nee Soon Central YN).

Special thanks to Mun Kit for sharing his experience coordinating the NYAA programme at Nee Soon East Youth Network previously 🙌 We are also proud to see both Mun Kit and Sherry continue leading and encouraging youth volunteerism as NYAA coordinators in their respective YNs after attaining their NYAA Gold awards.

It is heartening to see our NYAA youths continue making meaningful contributions to the community while inspiring greater participation through small yet impactful actions. We look forward to continuing our partnership with PAYM to foster a holistic and caring youth-led community.

Nee Soon Central Youth Network
Boon Lay Youth Network
People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM)

Meet Hana Suffia Binte Mohamad Halim Shah – Butterfly Award recipient from West Spring Primary School. 🦋 Through her BA ...
30/04/2026

Meet Hana Suffia Binte Mohamad Halim Shah – Butterfly Award recipient from West Spring Primary School. 🦋

Through her BA journey, Hana discovered meaningful ways to give back to her community. One of her most memorable experiences was performing with her dance team for residents at Ren Ci Nursing Home. Though she was initially shy, Hana grew more confident as she saw the residents light up with smiles during the performance.

She also supported young patients at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital by designing fun activity sheets to keep them engaged. Reflecting on the experience, Hana shared, “I felt proud because I could make the children happier and help them forget about their sickness for a while. Even one small act can bring joy.”

Back in school, Hana took on the role of Peer Support Champion, organising recess activities to help her classmates spend their time meaningfully. She also participated in the Science Buskers programme, creating interactive experiments to share the joy of learning.

From performing for seniors to inspiring her peers, Hana’s journey showed how small, sincere efforts can make a meaningful impact and how one may use their talents, such as art and dance, to uplift others.

Featured on ST Little Red Dot (Print) – 28 April 2026
West Spring Primary

Two brothers, one meaningful journey 🦋  Jayden Kyle Jeremy and Jovan Kyle Jeremy shared a meaningful journey of growth b...
29/04/2026

Two brothers, one meaningful journey 🦋

Jayden Kyle Jeremy and Jovan Kyle Jeremy shared a meaningful journey of growth by stepping out of their comfort zones to serve others and connecting with people from different communities through the Butterfly Award programme.

From meeting migrant workers and discovering how simple moments can bring people together, to helping beneficiaries at National Kidney Foundation (NKF) events, both boys learned the importance of empathy, kindness, and giving back. They realised that their presence at such events made a meaningful difference to the beneficiaries, and it inspired them to continue contributing to the less fortunate in the future.

Through a family initiative that involved donating necessities to Orang Asli families and volunteering at an animal shelter, they also gained a deeper understanding of compassion and saw perspectives they had never experienced before. From witnessing the challenges faced by children without basic necessities to seeing abandoned animals craving attention and care, they developed a stronger sense of empathy and awareness of the wider community.

Beyond service, they challenged themselves through outdoor adventures, sports, and family bonding activities. Whether it was hiking tough trails, exploring nature, playing rugby and soccer, or creating art together, each experience helped build resilience, confidence, and curiosity.

Featured on ST Little Red Dot (Print) – 28 April 2026

Lee Jia Ying (Primary 6, Ai Tong School) began her NYAA Butterfly Award journey in 2025, but her heart for service start...
28/04/2026

Lee Jia Ying (Primary 6, Ai Tong School) began her NYAA Butterfly Award journey in 2025, but her heart for service started much earlier. 🦋 Together with her siblings, she co-founded Little But Loud in 2021 during the pandemic to uplift spirits that have since grown into a meaningful platform for children-led community service.

Through Little But Loud, Jia Ying launched the Kids Reading to Kids Programme, starting with virtual storytelling sessions and later continuing face-to-face. Over 400 children from vulnerable families have benefited, enjoying interactive storytelling with art, quizzes, and sing-alongs.

She also brought generations together through an intergenerational drumming programme with seniors at Care Corner Toa Payoh and children at CDAC, designing the sessions and teaching simple rhythms, culminating in performances that celebrated community and shared values.

Jia Ying’s commitment extends to environmental initiatives too. She helped lead a FibreRevive Circularity and Sustainability Workshop, engaging adults in upcycling and sustainable textile practices — showing how young volunteers can inspire meaningful learning experiences.

Reading and family remain at the heart of her journey. She treasures bedtime stories with her parents and siblings and often volunteers alongside them, believing that “doing good can strengthen family bonds and inspire others to join in.”

Through Little But Loud and her NYAA journey, Jia Ying has shown that children can make a real difference, proving that small acts of service can grow into impactful community initiatives.

Featured on ST Little Red Dot (Print) – 28 April 2026
Little But Loud

In the spirit of  , it’s inspiring to see our NYAA Gold Award Holders continuing to make an impact beyond their journey ...
24/04/2026

In the spirit of , it’s inspiring to see our NYAA Gold Award Holders continuing to make an impact beyond their journey ✨

From teaching AutoCAD and basic computer skills to migrant workers during his NYAA journey as a Partnerships Lead, to now serving as President of 24asia, Josef Tan (NYAA GAHA Oct 2025 Cohort) continues to show deep commitment to causes he believes in.

His latest initiative, leading 24asia’s annual beach clean-up, brought together a 400-strong volunteer effort across Pasir Ris Park and West Coast Park. The effort not only contributed to environmental sustainability but also fostered meaningful connections across communities.

We’re proud to have supported this initiative, with over 90 NYAA youths from our Operating Partners joining in this effort to help keep our beaches clean 🌊

Always proud and encouraged to see our GAHA youths like Josef and Rebecca Tang Shean Sing, continuing to champion causes close to their hearts.

Photo credits: The24asia
Featured on ST TL;DR – https://bit.ly/4vN1As3

Jaden Peh's (Secondary 4, Chung Cheng High School (Main)) NYAA journey began with a practical goal—earning badges for hi...
08/04/2026

Jaden Peh's (Secondary 4, Chung Cheng High School (Main)) NYAA journey began with a practical goal—earning badges for his Scout uniform after hearing about them from seniors in the Singapore Scouts. Encouraged by a senior midway through his Gold Award, he took his first step into a meaningful journey of growth and service.

As a member of the CCHM Panther Scouts, Jaden contributed actively through leadership and service. He trained junior Scouts and participated in Job Week, taking on tasks such as cleaning homes and completing household chores to raise funds. In just one day, his team raised $120 to support the Singapore Scout Association and their school’s Scout unit, contributing to youth development programmes including support for Special Needs Scouts.

Beyond Scouting, Jaden engaged in school-based service learning. From environmental clean-ups using the Stridy app to organising craft sessions for seniors and supporting reading programmes for Primary 1 and 2 students from Red Sw****ka Primary School. As an only child, guiding younger students felt especially meaningful, which he likened to bonding with a younger sibling.

Through fundraising for the Singapore Association for the Deaf’s Flag Day, Jaden overcame his fear of rejection and grew more confident approaching strangers. Journaling throughout his NYAA journey also allowed him to reflect on how far he had come, affirming his belief that “if he does not step forward to make a difference, then who will?”

We’re proud of the heart and conviction you bring to service, Jaden. Keep leading by example! ✨
Chung Cheng High School - Main

Gail Seah (Secondary 3, CHIJ Katong Convent) began her NYAA journey inspired by a family friend. As she took on the chal...
07/04/2026

Gail Seah (Secondary 3, CHIJ Katong Convent) began her NYAA journey inspired by a family friend. As she took on the challenge independently, she was well supported by her family and went on to have a meaningful and impactful experience through both her Bronze and Silver Awards. Balancing NYAA commitments alongside her academic responsibilities, Gail developed discipline and perseverance throughout the programme.

She participated in a variety of service activities both within and beyond school. These included a Class Service Learning Project at Lions Home for the Elders, where she helped plan and run activities and games to engage the seniors, as well as volunteering with Special Olympics Singapore as part of the Girl Guides for two years. However, the most significant portion of her service came through the Early Literacy and Numeracy Programme at The Hut.

Volunteering alongside her mother, Gail supported children aged five to seven from less-privileged families, helping them develop basic reading and numeracy skills before entering primary school. She committed three hours every Saturday to this programme. As the youngest volunteer among mostly adults and young adults, she initially found the experience daunting. Despite this, Gail persevered, growing in confidence and learning how to engage patiently and effectively with young children.

Although her NYAA journey has concluded and regular volunteering has paused due to academic demands, Gail remains committed to serving her community. She continues to volunteer as a Sunday School helper for the Early Childhood class on a monthly basis and actively looks out for ad hoc volunteering opportunities during school holidays.

For Gail, the last two years of NYAA were an extremely meaningful time. Her experiences showed her that growth and learning extend beyond the classroom, and she has made a meaningful difference in the lives of others through the quiet service she does.

Featured on ST IN (Print) – 6 April 2026
https://bit.ly/STINAPR2026
CHIJ Katong Convent

Since attaining his NYAA Bronze Award in Secondary 1, Jayden Gabriel Lee (Secondary 2, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent...
06/04/2026

Since attaining his NYAA Bronze Award in Secondary 1, Jayden Gabriel Lee (Secondary 2, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)) has continued his journey by working steadily towards the NYAA Silver Award.

From volunteering at ItsRainingRaincoats to packing and delivering meals at Willing Hearts and care packs at Food Bank, supporting seniors at St Luke’s Eldercare Clementi Centre, and contributing to environmental efforts like Kayak and Klean and the SG60 Keep Singapore Clean Carnival, Jayden has shown strong initiative and heart. With support from his parents, he sourced volunteer opportunities including growing edible plants for The Plant Factory (NParks) and helping to maintain a community garden where produce is donated to families in need.

The experience that stood out most was Kayak and Klean — paddling while collecting litter. “It was exciting to be out on the water while helping the environment and I realised that keeping Singapore clean is our shared responsibility, and even small actions can make a difference.”

Through serving the wider community and contributing to school events with the AC Photographic Society, Jayden has developed environmental stewardship and a deep appreciation for the unseen contributions of others. By inviting friends to volunteer alongside him, he has also inspired peers to begin their own NYAA journeys.

We’re proud to see how you’ve turned small, consistent acts of service into meaningful impact.

Featured on ST IN (Print) – 6 April 2026
https://bit.ly/STINAPR2026

Honouring those who have shaped the journey, and celebrating the voices of tomorrow ✨We gathered at the NYAA Appreciatio...
01/04/2026

Honouring those who have shaped the journey, and celebrating the voices of tomorrow ✨

We gathered at the NYAA Appreciation Luncheon cm RSIS–NYAA National Essay Writing Competition Prize Presentation to thank our pioneers, former members of the NYAA Advisory Board and National Council, and long-time partners such as the Embassy of the Republic of Peru for their unwavering support over the years.

It was also a meaningful occasion to recognise the winners of the inaugural RSIS–NYAA Essay Competition, where we heard thoughtful perspectives from our youths on how history shapes our present and future.

Congratulations to our winners, Ms Camille Ong and Mr John Shutler (runner-up winners), and Mr Lee Zheng Yu, who received the top prize — a fully sponsored trip to Switzerland to participate in the 55th St. Gallen Symposium this May.

Thank you to our Guest-of-Honour, SMS Desmond Tan 陈国明, and to everyone who continues to support and believe in the NYAA journey.

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Address

151 Lorong Chuan #06-01B New Tech Park (Lobby A)
Singapore
556741

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Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
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