Today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders.

Each new piece of exposure and knowledge that they pick up today, becomes experience and wisdom that they draw upon in the future. The place they eventually make for themselves in the world, the difference they can make on others’ lives – these are seeded in the days of youth.

It is with hope and faith in our youths that we run the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) programme. We bring together young people from diverse backgrounds, encourage them to respect and share their respective experiences, and expose them to exciting opportunities to learn, grow and serve. In the process, limitations are pushed past, lifelong friendships form, new and wider perspectives take shape, and the leaders of tomorrow begin to find their passions and the strength and skills to act on them for the benefit of others.

Each year, I meet NYAA Awardees and participants who go out of their way to lend a helping hand to those in need. They organise meaningful projects that touch lives, and they fly our flag with pride on the international stage. And our young people in turn inspire us to keep improving our NYAA offerings and to explore new areas – to keep up with their energy and ever-growing interest in the world around them.

We are grateful to our partners, supporters and stakeholders. We hope that you will continue to be with us on this important journey to discover and develop our leaders of tomorrow.

To our youths, welcome to the NYAA and to your journey to bring out the future leader in you. All of us at the NYAA believe in you and cannot wait to see all that you will achieve.