More than 100 young participants gained first-hand experience addressing real social issues during the 15th SINDA Youth Leaders Seminar, strengthening their empathy, leadership skills and commitment to creating positive change in their communities.
More than 100 youths from diverse educational backgrounds came together for the 15th SINDA Youth Leaders Seminar (SYLS), held from 19 to 21 June 2026, to develop their leadership capabilities through meaningful community engagement. Organised by the SINDA Youth Club (SYC) under the theme “To Build, To Belong, To Become”, the three-day programme focused on nurturing socially conscious leaders by combining leadership development, personal growth and hands-on service-learning experiences.
A key feature of this year’s seminar was its emphasis on immersive service-learning, allowing participants aged 17 to 25 to engage directly with different segments of the community. Working alongside organisations including TS Group, SHINE Services, Sree Narayana Mission Home, and through SINDA’s Door Knocking Exercise, participants gained valuable insights into the experiences of migrant workers, children from underserved communities, vulnerable families and senior citizens. These encounters encouraged participants to better understand the challenges faced by others while fostering empathy, compassion and a stronger sense of civic responsibility.
The lessons from these community engagements culminated in an interactive World Café session, where participants collaborated in small groups to discuss social issues and develop practical solutions. The session was attended by Dr Hamid Razak, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the SINDA Youth Sub Committee, who commended the participants for demonstrating empathy, leadership potential and a willingness to take ownership of community challenges. He highlighted the importance of empowering young people to become active contributors in building stronger and more inclusive communities.
Participants reflected positively on the transformative nature of the programme. Many shared that interacting with individuals from different backgrounds broadened their perspectives and reinforced the importance of listening before proposing solutions. Service-learning activities such as spending time with seniors at Sree Narayana Mission Home and engaging children through SHINE Services helped participants recognise how meaningful connections and simple acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on people’s lives.
Now in its 15th edition, the SINDA Youth Leaders Seminar continues to play a significant role in developing Singapore’s next generation of changemakers. By combining experiential learning, guided reflection and collaborative problem-solving, the programme equips young people with the confidence, empathy and leadership skills needed to contribute meaningfully to society and create lasting positive change within their communities.
Source: Singapore Indian Development Association
