Asian Youth Chinese Forum (22-26 Aug 2011)

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Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) was the host to the second Asian Youth Chinese Forum which was held in Singapore for the first time from 22-26 August this year.  The theme of this year’s forum was ‘Science and Technology, Democracy and Modern Society’. It was participated by over 120 students from PRC, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

On the first two days, the participants were divided into nine groups with each group assigned a discussion topic. Countless hours were spent preparing the presentation.  We even sacrificed sleep and meals to ensure that we put together a top-notch presentation. The gruelling preparation paid off when we were able to give a commendable presentation.

Other highlights for me included the talk by Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) & Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), Ms Grace Fu.  I found her views on the fast-growing new media very enlightening.  The dialogue that followed was also highly educational.

Our amazing learning journey continued outdoors over the next three days, this time, to gain knowledge not found in textbooks.  At the Newater plant, we had the chance to taste the recycled new water and see first-hand the sophisticated technology and complicated process that went into producing the drinkable water.

At Singapore’s Chinatown, we learned how it got its name “牛车水”.  Despite the scorching heat, we enjoyed ourselves exploring the different sights and sounds. Next stop – Universal Studios at Resort World Sentosa.  Needless to say, it was ‘play’ at the word ‘go’ for us. What a stress reliever it was!  The roller coaster rides and phototaking with the mascots were real fun.

We also dropped in at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).  There, we visited a photographic exhibition called ‘What is Chinese’.  It helped us reflect on what it means to be a Chinese and our responsibilities in the present time. The fabulous journey was capped with a visit to the Housing Development Board (HDB) gallery where we learned how the city planners turned Singapore from slums to vibrant housing towns.

It was indeed an honour for me to be part of this whole experience.  It was memorable in more ways than one.  Not only did I make friends from different parts of the world, I have also gained a greater awareness and understanding of history and current affairs.  I am thankful to HCIS for giving me this chance.

By Liang Xiaodan (from Pre-University 1 Joy)

交流学术，收获友谊
——记2011亚洲青年华语论坛

2011年8月22日至26日的亚洲青年华语论坛终于在大家的依依不舍之中落下了帷幕。这次论坛由华侨中学主办，我校协办。同学们更加深入地参与到了组织和讨论工作中去，收获颇丰。

论坛的前两天， 来自中国大陆、香港、台湾、马来西亚、印度尼西亚和新加坡本地的学生对“科技、民主与现代社会”分三个论题展开了讨论并做了精彩的呈现。新加坡新闻通讯及 艺术部、环境及水源部高级政务部长傅海燕女士、新加坡国立大学东亚研究所研究员陈刚博士也和大家进行了生动的对话，同学们对新媒体与民主之间的关系有了新 的认识。

第三天是相当令 人印象深刻的一天，同学们在牛车水展开了文化探源之旅！大家品尝了老字号甜品店“味香园”的招牌产品“杨枝甘露”，还拜访了新加坡最久负盛名的肉干店“林 志源”。大家还去了别有情调的安详山，更参观了恢宏大气的佛牙寺、马里安曼兴都庙。对新加坡华人文化的根据地——牛车水的了解，可说是更深了一层！

之后大家还去了 环球影城（想必这是许多同学最开心的一天了！）、参观了南大校园。玩遍了新加坡，也认识了来自亚洲各国的朋友们。同样的年纪，同样的语言，同样的收获与快 乐。这次的华语论坛并不是比赛，没有输家，我们都是得到了新朋友的赢家。在此，我也要感谢校方所给予的机会和各位老师的指导与协助。愿明年的华语论坛办得 更好、更成功！

顾亦宁（3I）