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SoCh Encourages Children to Identify the Most Pressing Community Issues at 'Be The Change Exposition 2014'

Event to be attended by over 1,500 students, teachers and parents - the largest of its kind in Singapore!
2014-11-07 15:52 3347

SINGAPORE, Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore's largest showcase of social initiatives by children, Be the Change Exposition, returns for its fifth iteration this year on Tuesday, 11 November 2014 at SUNTEC Convention Centre. Organised by social enterprise, SoCh in Action, this year's Exposition – themed 'Unplugged' – will showcase the works of over 200 students, who have disconnected with the 'virtual world', to re-connect with the 'real world' and identify issues that affect them most. The students will present their observations, design solutions and impact of their action at the Exposition. The Exposition will be attended by 1,500 students, teachers and parents – making it possibly the largest of its kind in Singapore!

Held annually, the Be The Change Exposition marks the close of the annual Design for Change Challenge, an international, award-winning programme and movement that is designed to give young people an opportunity to express their own ideas for a better world, and put them into action using a simple Design Thinking framework. The programme encourages children to believe – 'I CAN make a difference.' The challenge typically attracts students from over 30 schools, across Singapore. Winners of the Challenge will be determined by an esteemed Jury, consisting of Pauline Tan, Research Associate from Asia Centre of Entrepreurship and Philanthropy, NUS; Ramya Nageswaran, Bridgeable Pte Ltd; Dr. Carol Balhetchet, Clinical Psychologist & Senior Director, Singapore Children's Society and Utami Sugianto, Space- Business Designer, Gingerworks.

"Children have unlimited imagination and it is a privilege to get an insight into their world. SoCh provided me a wonderful opportunity to witness a child's thought process in action. There were several entries worthy of the top spot and we had a tough time narrowing them down to a few.  I hope the children will continue to remain curious, creative and enterprising even after they enter adulthood," commented Ramya Nageswaran of Bridgeable Pte Ltd.

Earlier this year, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in Britain warned that a rising number of children are losing out on major life skills because of their 'addiction' to tablets and smartphones and evidence shows that Internet addiction negatively effects children's physical and mental wellbeing. Closer to home, a study conducted by NTU, Singapore was cited in Virtual Worlds Research to show that an increased online addiction can even result in reducing the empathy level in students.  

"How many times are we caught-up in our virtual world? We tend to smile more at our phones than at our loved ones; and children themselves feel this disconnect with their peers and also with their family members," said Madhu Verma, Founder of SoCh in Action. "So, with this theme, we aim to show that in order to feel and sense, whether it is in family interactions or in understanding the needs of needy; it is important to look up from our screens and engage as humans."

With a belief that children are key agents of social change, SoCh in Action, has trained more than 5,500 students in Singapore in the design thinking approach over the last four years. SoCh believes in empowering children to make a difference in the world around them by not only being aware of the social issues that surround them, but also by taking positive and proactive action to drive the change.

For the 3rd consequent year, the Be the Change Exposition, is supported by the POSB PAssion Kids Fund, a fund under the People's Association Community Development Fund that supports programmes benefiting children in the community.

PR Newswire is a proud sponsor of the Be The Change Exposition, organized by SoCh in Action.

The exposition is also supported by Rice Communications.

To learn more about this free community event and to register for the exposition, please visit https://soch.eventbrite.sg/

Note to the Editor:

Complete details of the Be The Change Exposition are as follows:

Date:     Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Time:      9.00am12.30pm

Venue:  SUNTEC Convention Centre, Hall 403

About SoCh in Action:

SoCh in Action designs and implements various programs and events for children to be involved in the social change process. Its belief is that anyone can be a change-maker; through new thoughts, simple beliefs and small actions. For more details visit www.SoChinAction.com

About Design for Change:

DESIGN FOR CHANGE is the largest global movement by children, running in 34 countries, designed to give young people an opportunity to express their own ideas for a better world and put them into action. SoCh is the exclusive country partner for Design For Change. For more information please visit: www.dfcworld.com

About POSB PAssion Kids Fund

The POSB PAssion Kids Fund is a fund under the People's Association Community Development Fund (PACDF). Through corporate and individual donations raised through the POSB PAssion Kids Run, the POSB PAssion Kids Fund will provide funding for the People's Association (PA) children's programmes and activities that will benefit children in the community.

Media Contacts:

Rice Communications for SoCh in Action
Mansi Maheshwari / Justinian Liew
Phone: +65 3157 5687 / +65 3157 5684
Email: sochpr@ricecomms.com

Source: SoCh in Action
Keywords: Education
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