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  Channel NewsAsia 2 Sep 06
Youths play important role in economic sustainability
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

Have environmental problems like pollution and managing water resources become so big that they are causes for despair?

No, says Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

Instead, he threw down a challenge to about 200 youths attending an economic sustainability forum.

He said that the right people and the right will could make a difference, and that the youths are the main hope in Singapore - with many having already volunteered for various environmental projects.

But it is not just the youths who are important in this role.

Asked to comment on the perception by some NGOs that perhaps the government itself is not doing enough for the environment, Dr Yaacob's response was candid. He said that the government did what it could within the constraints of a small country.

Dr Yaacob said: "I think some creative tensions are useful because it allows us to think out of the box, negotiate and work together. There's no way we can agree on everything - let's be honest about it - but where we disagree, let's be honest about it and share our views with one another. But there are some areas where, on the part of the government, we must recognise that maybe some of the NGOs have better ideas. So, let's remain open and work together." - CNA/ir
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