MEDIA INVITATION NOT FOR PUBLICATION

2 March 2016

Youths take action to effect positive change to the environment

More than 800 youths will come forward to honour our Founding Father’s legacy of a clean and green in March. Making a stand for environmental protection, these youths debunk the myth that young Singaporeans lack idealism. They will be joined by Mr Baey Yam Keng, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth. 2 As an environmental steward and advocate, Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) will facilitate this cause-worthy effort through two programmes on and Coney Island:

(i) OBS Project IsLand-A-Hand (PIAH) – 5 March

3 After its first successful run in November 2015, the OBS PIAH will enable youth volunteers who are committed to improving the natural environment, protecting wildlife and preserving biodiversity to embark on various environmental initiatives. 4 Following activities such as mangrove and coastal clean-ups, reforestation and species survey, youths will also come together through a SGfuture engagement session to contribute ideas on how they can take action to promote greater environmental consciousness, responsibility and stewardship.

5 The details of the programme are:

Date : Saturday, 5 March 2016

Time : 10.30am – 4.30pm

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Registration Venue : Jetty End of Punggol Road Please refer to Annex A for the location map

Event Venue : Coney Island / Pulau Ubin

6 Should you wish to cover this event, please confirm your attendance with our media liaison officers by Thursday, 3 March 2016.

(ii) OBS Nature Appreciation Programme (NAP) – 15 March

7 OBS will also be opening its campus to the public for the first time, for a series of school holiday Nature Appreciation Programme to encourage youths to appreciate the rich biodiversity in their environment.

8 A total of 11 workshops will be organised together with advocates such as Strix Wildlife Consultancy, Nature Society Singapore and CreativeKids Pte Ltd. These workshops will feature activities such as nature treasure hunts, mangrove appreciation and nature photography to promote family bonding and greater understanding of Ubin’s history, geography and ecology.

9 The details of the programme are:

Date : Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Time : 8.15am – 11.15am

Registration Venue : Punggol Jetty End of Punggol Road Please refer to Annex A for the location map

Event Venue : Pulau Ubin

Programme : Please refer to Annex C

10 Should you wish to cover this event, please confirm your attendance with our media liaison officers by Friday, 11 March 2016 .

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Contact person/s : Cecilia Lee (Ms) Manager (Corporate Communications and PR) National Youth Council DID : 6839 9159 HP : 9789 7971 Fax : 6737 2025 Email : [email protected]

Brandon Tan (Mr) Senior Account Executive Rice Communications DID : 3157 5675 HP : 9092 6345 Email : [email protected]

About the National Youth Council (全国青年理事会) At NYC, we believe in a world where young people are respected and heard, and have the ability to influence and make a difference to the world. Together with our partners, we develop a dynamic and engaging environment where young people can realise their aspirations and play a part in making Singapore an endearing home for all.

About Outward Bound Singapore ( 新加坡外展训练中心) With more than 45 years of legacy, Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) is the pioneer and leader in outdoor , providing adventure-based experiential learning to help develop rugged and resilient youths. From 1 January 2015, OBS is part of the strengthened National Youth Council to drive youth development and broaden outreach to young Singaporeans and youth sector organisations.

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ANNEX A

Outward Bound Singapore

Project IsLand-A-Hand (PIAH) and Nature Appreciation Programme (NAP)

Registration Venue

Punggol Jetty

Location Map

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ANNEX B

MEDIA PROGRAMME

Saturday, 5 March 2016

Coney Island

Outward Bound Singapore Project IsLand-A-Hand (PIAH)

TIME ACTIVITY

10.30am Media registration at Punggol Jetty

10.45am Boat transfer to Coney Island

11.00am Photo opportunities of youth volunteers involved in outdoor conservation activities: - Coastal Cleanup - Mangrove Cleanup - Flotsam Maintenance - Species Survey using Bio Atlas App - Bird Box Construction

Media interview with youth volunteers

12.30pm Boat transfer to OBS Campus, Pulau Ubin

1.00pm Group reflection + Lunch

Environmental sharing by Mr Lim Liang Jim, Director (Industry and Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology), National Parks Board of Singapore

Appreciation remarks by Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth

Media doorstop with Mr. Baey Yam Keng

3.15pm SG future Engagement Session

4.15pm End of Event

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ANNEX C

MEDIA PROGRAMME

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Pulau Ubin

Outward Bound Singapore Nature Appreciation Programme (NAP)

TIME ACTIVITY

8.15am Media registration at OBS Reception Centre (Punggol)

8.30am Boat transfer to OBS Campus, Pulau Ubin

8.45am Family Eco-Adventure in Pulau Ubin to explore: - Flora and fauna - Rocks - Biological/Ecological Concept - Conservation of biodiversity: Personal action as a family

10.30am Tea Break

Sharing of reflection by Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Community, Culture and Youth

Media doorstop with Mr. Baey Yam Keng

Media interview with participants

11.15am End of Event