Youth & Children Education Society Singapore (新加坡青少年与儿童教育协会)

Our Work

Building an Ecosystem Where Every Young Person Can Thrive

Young people do not grow through education alone. They grow through opportunity, encouragement, meaningful participation and the support of the people and communities around them.

YCESS brings together young people, families, educators, schools, community organisations, volunteers, industry and international partners to build a connected ecosystem for learning, creativity, leadership and social contribution.

Rooted in Singapore and connected to the world, our work helps young people develop the capabilities to shape their own futures, strengthen their communities and contribute to a better society.

Explore Our Areas of WorkPartner With YCESS

What We Believe

Young People Thrive When the World Around Them Supports Their Growth

A single programme can open a door. Lasting development requires something more: capable educators, supportive families, inclusive communities, trusted institutions and meaningful opportunities to participate.

That is why our work extends beyond individual activities. We strengthen the relationships, platforms and systems that help young people learn, create, lead and serve over time.

We develop young people by strengthening the people, communities and systems around them.

How We Work

From Individual Potential to Collective Impact

Our work begins with the individual young person, but it does not end there. We strengthen the people, institutions and partnerships around them so that opportunity can become more accessible, connected and sustainable.

  1. Helping children and young people develop knowledge, confidence, creativity, character, leadership and responsibility.

  2. Supporting the parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, judges and volunteers who guide young people.

  3. Bringing meaningful opportunities into schools, public spaces, community settings and accessible local environments.

  4. Connecting youth education with expertise, resources, real-world experience and opportunities to contribute.

  5. Linking Singapore's young people and educators with global platforms, perspectives and partnerships.

What We Do

Six Areas of Work. One Shared Purpose.

Our programmes may take different forms, but every initiative supports the same purpose: enabling young people to learn, create, lead, serve and participate meaningfully in society.

Education and Future-Ready Capabilities

We create opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, skills and mindsets needed for a rapidly changing world.

Our approach brings together academic learning, creativity, digital literacy, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and responsible decision-making — preparing young people not only for future pathways, but for lifelong learning.

  • Future-ready skills
  • Digital literacy
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Collaboration
  • Lifelong learning
Three children of different backgrounds working together at a classroom desk

Creativity, Innovation and Technology

We believe creativity and technology should not exist in separate worlds. Young people need opportunities to imagine, design, experiment, build and improve.

By connecting the arts, engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics and emerging technologies, we help young people turn curiosity into ideas and ideas into meaningful action.

  • Arts and creative expression
  • Robotics and engineering
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Design and making
  • Interdisciplinary learning
  • Innovation
Explore Robotics & STEM Development →
A young guitarist performing on a professionally lit stage

Youth Voice, Leadership and Participation

Young people should not only be recipients of education. They should have a voice in the experiences, communities and future they are helping to shape.

We create platforms where young people can express ideas, take responsibility, lead initiatives, collaborate with others and contribute to decisions that affect them.

  • Youth voice
  • Leadership
  • Student ambassadors
  • Youth-led initiatives
  • Public presentation
  • Peer collaboration
  • Meaningful participation
Young participants standing together across a concert-hall stage

Educators, Mentors and Volunteer Development

Behind every thriving young person is a network of adults who guide, encourage and create opportunities.

YCESS supports educators, coaches, mentors, judges and volunteers through training, resources, professional exchange and practical opportunities to strengthen the quality and reach of youth development.

  • Educator development
  • Coach and mentor training
  • Judge and volunteer preparation
  • Professional exchange
  • Resource sharing
  • Communities of practice
An educator guiding two young children through a hands-on activity at a table

Community, Inclusion and Social Contribution

Opportunity should not depend on background, access or circumstance. We work with schools, families, community organisations, public venues and volunteers to bring meaningful programmes into accessible spaces, encourage participation and connect young people with opportunities to serve and contribute.

Through community engagement and charitable action, young people learn that their creativity, knowledge and effort can create real value for others.

  • Community-based opportunities
  • Accessible participation
  • School and family engagement
  • Volunteerism
  • Charity and social contribution
  • Inclusion
Hundreds of young artists on stage at the Youth World Cup award ceremony

Global Citizenship and International Connection

Young people in Singapore are growing up in an interconnected world. YCESS connects them with international platforms, competitions, cultures, ideas and partnerships — helping them develop broader perspectives while remaining grounded in responsibility to their own community.

We aim to bring global opportunities to Singapore and enable Singapore's young people, educators and ideas to contribute internationally.

  • International platforms
  • Cross-cultural exchange
  • Global education partnerships
  • International competitions
  • Responsible global citizenship
  • Singapore-to-world connections
A teacher and children from many backgrounds exploring a globe in front of a world map

Robotics & STEM Development

Connecting Singapore to a Global Robotics and STEM Ecosystem

YCESS develops pathways through which young people can learn by designing, building, testing, collaborating and responding to real-world challenges.

Our Robotics & STEM work connects students, teams, educators, schools and organisations with practical learning, recognised competition systems and international opportunities.

YCESS emblemRobotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) logo

Official International Representative

YCESS × RECF

Official International Representative of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

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Competition Programs

10

Spotlight Partners

RECF Competition Programs

RECF Engage logo on recf.org (opens in a new tab)RECF Achieve logo on recf.org (opens in a new tab)RECF Inspire logo on recf.org (opens in a new tab)Aerial Drone Competition logo on recf.org (opens in a new tab)Aerial Drone Competition Pro logo on recf.org (opens in a new tab)

RECF Partners Spotlight

Amazon logoChevron logoEaton logoGeneral Dynamics Information Technology logoGoogle logoKettering University logoNASA logoRobolink logoTesla logoTexas Instruments logo

Programs and partners of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (recf.org).

Teams

Helping schools and organisations understand pathways for forming and developing student teams.

Schools & Educators

Connecting educators with practical robotics, drone and STEM learning opportunities.

Programmes & Competitions

Supporting participation in relevant RECF robotics and aerial drone programmes.

Event Partner Development

Helping interested organisations understand the pathway towards becoming an RECF Event Partner.

Explore Competitions & EventsDiscuss a School or Team Programme →Explore Event Partner Opportunities →Visit RECF (opens in a new tab)

Rooted in Singapore. Connected to the World.

Serving Our Community. Connecting Global Opportunity.

Singapore is the foundation of our work. We support young people, families, schools and communities by creating accessible platforms for learning, participation, creativity and service — strengthening the local education ecosystem and contributing meaningfully to Singapore society.

At the same time, we connect Singapore with international competition systems, institutions, educators and youth platforms. This two-way exchange allows young people in Singapore to access the world — and enables Singapore’s experience, talent and values to contribute globally.

Singapore

Strengthening Singapore’s Youth and Communities

  • Supporting schools, educators and families
  • Creating accessible community opportunities
  • Encouraging youth service and volunteering
  • Bringing programmes into public and community spaces
  • Connecting education with social contribution
  • Supporting a resilient, inclusive and caring society

Global

Connecting Singapore to the World

  • Opening international platforms to young people
  • Building cross-border education partnerships
  • Supporting international competitions and exchanges
  • Connecting educators and institutions
  • Sharing Singapore-based experience globally
  • Developing responsible global citizens

Bringing the world to Singapore — and bringing Singapore’s young people and ideas to the world.

Our Model

How Opportunity Becomes Impact

Meaningful change does not come from a single moment. It grows through connection, participation, development and continued contribution.

  1. 01

    Connect

    We bring together young people, educators, schools, communities and partners.

  2. 02

    Create

    We design meaningful programmes, platforms and learning experiences.

  3. 03

    Participate

    Young people learn through action, collaboration, presentation and service.

  4. 04

    Develop

    Participants build skills, confidence, character, leadership and responsibility.

  5. 05

    Contribute

    Learning is carried back into families, schools, communities and society.

Our Role

More Than a Programme Provider

As a society, YCESS plays a broader role than delivering individual activities. We connect people and institutions, strengthen capability, create trusted platforms and help build a more coordinated ecosystem for youth and children’s education.

  • Convene

    Bringing together educators, schools, communities, volunteers, industry and international partners around shared goals.

  • Enable

    Creating the structures, resources and partnerships that allow meaningful youth opportunities to happen.

  • Develop

    Strengthening educators, mentors, volunteers and organisations that support young people.

  • Connect

    Linking local communities with national and international platforms.

  • Advocate

    Promoting education, meaningful youth participation, inclusion, responsibility and positive social contribution.

Our Commitment

Principles That Guide Every Part of Our Work

Our programmes may evolve, but the principles behind them remain constant.

Help Us Build a Stronger Future for Young People

Whether you are a young person, educator, school, community organisation, volunteer or partner, there is a role for you in creating more meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

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