IAVE Youth Volunteer Conference 2011

21 - 23 January 2011

Day 1 - Conference Launch

It all began with Dewi forwarding an email on this Tan Chin Tuan Foundation scholarship to participate in the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) Youth Volunteer and World Conference. When I remembered to take action on the email, I realised that the deadline was over. However, I tried my luck and sent in my CV.

I was successful! Thanks to Dewi and Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, I got to participate in the IAVE Youth Volunteer Conference 2011 and the 21st IAVE World Volunteer Conference for a mere $20!

The opening of the IAVE Youth Volunteer Conference 2011 was held at the Singapore Management University.

Performance by Y STARS (YMCA Special Talents, Arts & Recreation Society)

Speech by Mr Laurence Lien, CEO of the National Volunteer Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)

Was inspired by what Mr Lien said, "Be thankful for the opportunity to serve."

IAVE World President Dr Kang-Hyun Lee: "The World you believe in, believes in you too!"

Speech by Mr Mark Molloy, IAVE Youth Board

Guest-of-Honour: Mayor Teo Ser Luck

In his speech, Mayor Teo Ser Luck highlighted that young Singaporeans aged between 15 and 24 constituted the largest percentage of volunteers within Singapore.

Presentation of token of Appreciation by IAVE World President to Mayor Teo Ser Luck

The conference was launched in a very interesting way. The Masters of Ceremony got us to fold paper aeroplanes...

Taking Wings of Flight - Conference Launch

It is during times like this that you don't feel so sore entering the auditorium late and had to sit at the back. At least you don't get aeroplanes crashing onto your back. 

9-year-old Adelyn Koh, born with a corneal infection which left her visually impaired, performed a medley of piano songs. She was best remembered as the face of MCYS's advertisement titled "A Girl's Hope" for Youth Olympic Games 2010.

Keynote address by Mr Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year 2009 and Founder, Dynamic Teen Company

Briefing for the Day 2's programme

With friends from PAYM at the dinner reception

Day 2 - Local Service Project & International Social Night

Participants of the conference were given a few choices as to which institutions they want to carry out the local service project at. I picked HighPoint Community Services Association as I had not experienced volunteering with ex-offenders.

Executive Director of HighPoint Community Services Association giving us a briefing

HighPoint Community Services Association helps rebuild lives of people, especially ex-offenders and their families. 

Manager, a beneficiary of HighPoint, showing us around the halfway house at Geylang

Window view obstructed to minimise distraction from the Geylang night life

After the orientation, the participants and residents of HighPoint engaged the elderly folks from Clementi with games and activities. It was an interesting concept of having the participants and the ex-offenders performing community service together.

After the Local Service Project, all participants gathered at *SCAPE Building, Warehouse for the International Social Night. Participants donned ethnic costumes and viewed the exhibitions from the participating voluntary organisations.

With a Korean participant & 37th SSEAYP Facilitator Iche

Speech by Guest-of-Honour Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC

With Joan from Red Cross

Agency for Volunteer Service (Hong Kong)

With Lesley and President of Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore), Ms Tan Beng Chiak

With 16-year-old Korean student participant, Woo Rim

With Mr Theodore Teo, Vice-Chairman of International Volunteerism Association (Singapore)

With YMCA Volunteers

With friends from Thailand

With Indonesian student studying in Singapore, who's wearing an Ao Dai

Booth of Humanitarian Organisation for Migrant Economics (HOME) - providing shelter to troubled migrant workers and domestic maids

*SCAPE Building booth

With Le and  Jenny, President and Founder of 350 Vietnam

It's always a great experience getting to know friends from other countries!

Day 3 - Plenary Sessions & Workshops

The day commenced with a plenary session conducted by Mr Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Poverty Project & Young Australian of the Year. He was a very inspirational speaker. 

Mr Hugh Evans shared about how he lobbied the then Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to increase the funding for poverty projects and how he got Sydney Operahouse lighted up for the poverty cause.

The next plenary speaker was Mr Daniel Buritica, President of ROCOJO and Board member of IAVE, Colombian Network of Youth RECOJO and IAVE, Colombia.

After the plenary sessions, participants went to attend two workshops of their choice.

Conference Workshop on Strategic Planning

Sharing by Ms Debbie McDowall, Manager of the Youth Enquiry Service, Scotland

Applying the "Hot Air Balloon" Model

Sharing by Ms Bernise Ang, Founder of Syinc and Board of Director, International Youth Foundation

With Xeno & student from St Paul's College, Hong Kong

Networking Lunch Summit, graced by Mayor Teo Ser Luck

Our familiar TV celebrity promoting the Singapore Arts Festival

Donning our One Asia Forum T-shirt

After lunch, I went to the Workshop on Resources Development.

Sharing by Mr Teo Zi-Ming, Founder of University YMCA Singapore & Board of Director, YMCA of Singapore

Sharing by Mr Samuel Chan, Mentor of Citibank-YMCA Youth for Causes & Board of Director, YMCA of Singapore

Mr Hugh Evans shared about how to run a successful campaign

Presentation of Conference Report by Mr Daniel Buritica

Presentation of and Invitation to the 2nd IAVE Youth World Volunteer Summit in Barranquilla, Colombia

Youth Declaration by Participants

Closing Remarks by Mrs Tan Chee Koon, Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the 21st IAVE World Volunteer Conference & Board of Director, NVPC

Closing Speech by Ms Kylee Bates, IAVE World Vice-President

With Cher Ling from PAYM

Thank You speech by IAVE Youth Volunteer Conference Organising Chairperson Oliver Loke