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Eating durians, attending community events and becoming a citizen - do these actions necessarily constitute integration?
This question posed by Dr Leong Chan Hoong generated a stir among the audience present at the PAYM Policy Forum @ Jalan Besar GRC, held in Suntec City Convention Centre on the 27th of March 2010. The topic of the policy forum was 'Singaporeans vs. PRs (Permanent Residents): Minding the Gap' and attracted about 100 youths, from students to working adults.
A panel of speakers was invited to speak on the topic, including Mr Heng Chee How, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, Dr Umayal Lakshmanan, a PR-turned-Singaporean, and Dr Leong, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. Drawing examples from their everyday lives, the panellists provided the participants with their views on the issue, and commented on recent government policies that sought to widen the Singaporean and PR gap in terms of healthcare, housing and education.
Participants first broke up into 6 small teams to discuss the topic in 3 areas, namely the distinctions that are present in Singapore between citizens and PRs, the role of the PRs and integration of both parties. Youths contributed their opinions and a summary of points was presented during the forum to give the discussion a multi-faceted dimension. Most of them were enthusiastic in their responses, often citing real-life examples to substantiate their points.
The Question-and-Answer session saw participants posing astute questions and examining the topic in depth. Is Singapore doing enough to encourage integration, not just assimilation? Are the distinctions between citizens and PRs too wide? Where is Singapore heading towards on this issue? The forum ended with a consensus that the distinctions are indeed justified and that there is a need for integration between Singaporeans and PRs.
On the whole, the policy forum was a success. The organising team would like to use this opportunity to thank our panellists, Mr Heng, Dr Leong and Ms Lakshmanan and the youths for their active participation and support. We look forward to seeing you at our next policy forum!
Around 17 Kampong Glam YEC members turned up for the re-appointment and Yusheng session. Everyone had fun and looking forward to a great year ahead!
Armed with all manner of cleaning equipment, including mops, brooms, pails and stain-removers, the volunteers waged a 'war' against dust and grime, some of which have been collecting for many years as their aged or less able owners were unable o upkeep their homes. After three hours of thorough dustings, sweeping, mopping, wiping and scrubbing that took place from 9am to 12pm, the volunteers managed to clean-out the dirt and make the homes spick and span.
The YEC members then proceed to Professor Brawn Cafe in Novena for a teambuilding session for the 2 YECs to get to know each other better and to lookout for opportunity to work together in future events. A toal of 24 members turned up and it was indeed a very fruitful and wonderful teambuilding session and we were defintely looking forward to the next joint teambuilding session again.
About 800 residents, students and grassroots leaders gathered at the Kampong Glam Community Club to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the many deserving students. At the annual 2010 Kampong Glam Scholarship and Bursary Awards Presentation Ceremony, a total of 346 awards were given out. They were:
Members from Kampong Glam Youth Executive Committee came down to help in manning the registration counters and some of the members were actually the emcee for the ceremony. 
Kampong Glam Youth Club members together with Kampong Glam Grassroots Leaders helped to distribute medical welfare fund to needy residents who need the financial assistance for their medical bills. Goodies bags consisted of essential food items were also distributed to them.
Nevertheless, the new Committee members still managed to put up wonderful performances after the BGM proper by singing the songs " Top of the World" and "Y.E.C Yeah". 
In addition, 'Elvis Pressly' and 'Michael Jackson' made special guest appearances too and sang " Can't helping Falling in Love" and 'Heal the World" respectively with all the 18th term YEC members! 
The audiences cheered and sang the songs togther with the YEC members and it was indeed one of the best BGMs ever seen in Singapore! I believed the 18th term YEC will be able to go on to scale greater heights and achieve greater success than the previous term. 
Three cheers to Kampong Glam YEC..Hip hip hooray...hip hip hooray...hip hip hooray!+and+prize+winners.jpg)
Kampong Glam celebrated its 44th National Day Dinner on 15 Aug from 7pm to 10pm. More than 1200 guests and residents turned up to celebration this occasion. The Guest Of Honour was Ms Denise Phua, MP for Jalan Besar GRC and Adviser to Kampong Glam GROs and Dr Lee Boon Yang was one of the invited guests as well. This year's Organising Chairman was Melvin Pang from the YEC and it was indeed a very good experience and learning journey for him. The Emcee was good and managed to engage the audience. Many of them enjoyed the performances and games lined up by the event company. 
The atmosphere was electrifying when everyone who were present sang the national day songs with pride! Happy Birthday Singapore!
YEC members such as Cynthia, Adrian, Dela, Evelyn and Yong Kee came down to help out and more than $80 was raised and it was indeed worth the effort. Hip hip hooray !
“World Laughter Day” was created in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga and the celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is intended to build up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. This event was organised by Kampong Glam Youth Executive Committee. Ho ho ha ha ha...
The participants were also taught personal grooming tips by a former stewardness in the later part of the workshop and many found the grooming tips very useful and practical. This Workshop was organised by Kampong Glam Youth Executive Committee and supported by Health Promotion Board (HPB).
The participants were spread out into 5 groups to share their views on the possibilities of the regulation of internet from various perspectives such as individual, companies and government organisation. Many questions were asked by the participants and were also answered truthfully by Dr Lee Boon Yang. I believed it was an afternoon well spent by the youth and let's look forward to the next Policy Forum by Jalan Besar GRC!
In addition, laughter is one of the best anti-stress exercises and can help to tone up the muscles of the face and improves facial expressions. People who laugh more will look more cheerful and attractive. Do look out for more laughter Workshop coming your way! Ho ho ha ha ha ...
