June 6, 2026
When you read the SMC Chinese WeChat articles,when you see each Youth Hiking Library poster—behind them are high school students like Chloe and Joshua, contributing as SMC student volunteers, shaping content, building community, and giving back to the very platform that shaped them.
At SMC, impact is not measured by participation, but by what participants become. Among the most powerful examples are our youngest voices — students who arrive with curiosity, and leave with the conviction to build.
Yihong Xu (Chloe), Year 5 at NUS High School, first joined SMC through the Youth Hiking Library, introduced by her mother. What she expected to be a simple networking experienc became something far more profound—a space where conversations were open, perspectives were global, and young voices were genuinely heard.
A defining moment came when she was introduced to the concept—and later the book—Becoming Global Ready. Through this, she came to realise something fundamental: you don’t have to wait to be “ready” to create impact. That belief became action. Inspired by her experiences—and a pivotal encounter with plastic waste pollution—she went on to found GREENER+ https://greenerplus.org/, a youth-led sustainability initiative supported by the Singapore Youth Council, aimed at bridging the gap between awareness and real-life action.
Over time, exposure to diverse careers and life paths gave him clarity of direction. But more importantly, it gave him the confidence to act. He went on to found FutureFound Collective, a youth-led platform helping peers discover purpose and community through experiential learning—turning reflection into tangible impact.
Their journeys reflect what SMC stands for: not just inspiration, but transformation: From listening → to reflecting → to building.
These are students who arrived as mentees and volunteers, and departed as founders— ready to create, contribute, and multiply impact across communities.
I didn’t have to wait until I was “ready”| REFLECTIONS BY Chloe XU
Founder of Greener+ | 2025 Forbes China TOP 30 Gen Z Entrepreneurship | NUS High School Student | AI Reseacher & Math Modeller
What were your initial expectations — and how did reality differ?
I initially didn’t even want to come. I expected it to feel like a typical networking event, but it turned out to be much warmer and more open than I had imagined. The mentors genuinely listened to our thoughts, and I really enjoyed the conversations—they felt real, not transactional.
It was also my first time doing a morning hike with people from more than 20 nationalities in Singapore. In that moment, I felt like I was part of something much bigger than just a school programme or a local community. That sense of connection was something I never expected.
Was there a specific conversation or mentor interaction that shifted your thinking?
My first mentor, Prof. Puay Guan Goh a respected academic known for his work in digital transformation and supply chain innovation, shared practical advice on navigating academic environments. We talked about how to effectively communicate with professors and what they truly value when selecting interns—things like initiative, curiosity, and clarity of thought. His advice reminded me that growth often begins with stepping out of our comfort zones and being proactive in seeking experiences.
Mr. Danny Seetoh Danny SeeToh , a career officer from NTU, introduced me to the concept of Ikigai—the Japanese idea of finding the intersection between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. I started focusing less on chasing the “best” opportunity, and more on making choices that align with my values.
During one of the hikes, I also had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Zhang Qianning, who specialises in architectural sustainability and low-carbon development. Our conversation gave me new perspectives and practical insights that I was able to bring into GREENER+.
More broadly, these mentor interactions encouraged me to step beyond my existing social circle and explore new organisations and communities.
How did SMC influence the way you see your role as a young person today?
It made me realise I didn’t have to wait until I was “ready” to do something meaningful. When people with so much experience are genuinely curious about your perspective, it changes how you see yourself. I stopped thinking of myself as just a student preparing for the future, and started thinking about what I could actually do now.
That shift became even clearer when I read Becoming Global Ready. One line by Per Magnusson Per Magnusson , CEO of Jebsen & Jessen Group, stayed with me:
“Step up and step into roles that you feel you are not totally ready for.”
It connected deeply with my experience at SMC. I would truly recommend Becoming Global Ready to anyone who is trying to find their direction.
What inspired you to start your project?
My interest in sustainability grew through a series of formative experiences. I had the opportunity to shadow Mr. Jakob Brix Tange, the Consul General of Denmark, as astudent journalist for The New York Times for Kids. I also participated in the Yangtze River Delta Carbon Neutrality Conference, where I interviewed Clotilde from the LEGO Group. Through that conversation, I gained my first real understanding of concepts like carbon neutrality and carbon footprints. While these ideas initially felt complex and overwhelming, they sparked my curiosity and planted the seed for deeper exploration.
Later, during a U.S. High School English Public Forum debate on whether the federal government should ban single-use plastics, I realised how nuanced the issue truly is. It is not a simple yes-or-no question—there is no single solution, and no global consensus. That experience pushed me to look beyond opinions and start exploring data, policies, and real-world trade-offs. What struck me most was the disconnect between knowledge and action. We learn about sustainability, but it often doesn’t translate into how we actually live. That, to me, felt like the real problem.
That’s why I founded GREENER+ (https://greenerplus.org/) . The idea is simple: if each of us reduces just one plastic bag a day, the collective impact can be significant in lowering carbon footprint and waste. We don’t have to wait for scientists or large-scale solutions to act.
Change can start with small, everyday choices—and a more conscious lifestyle.
What was the hardest part of taking that first step?
The hardest part was the distance between having an idea and actually doing something with it. That gap is where most ideas remain just ideas. But I’ve learned that once you take the first step and open the door, things begin to connect naturally—the right people, the right opportunities, and the right resources. You just have to move first and trust the process.
Participating in the Youth Action Challenge (YAC) by the National Youth Council of Singapore was a key turning point for me. It was where I met like-minded peers and gained the support and structure needed to turn an idea into something real. In the end, we were granted over S$8,100 seed funding, which enabled us to take GREENER+ from concept to action.
What does leadership mean to you now?
It's shifted quite a bit. I used to think leadership meant always having the right answer and being the most certain person in the room. Now I think it's more about understanding the needs and strengths of the people around you, and having a vision clear enough that like-minded people genuinely want to build it with you.
Looking back, how would you describe your transformation through SMC?
I came in mostly to listen. Then gradually, I started thinking about how to give back—and eventually, about what I could actually build myself. It wasn’t one dramatic moment, but rather each stage quietly laying the foundation for the next.
Along the way, I contributed by preparing content for SMC’s Chinese WeChat platform, and more recently, I’ve stepped into developing communication materials and supporting marketing initiatives for SMC. Through this process, and with Dr. David’s constant encouragement, I’ve gained the confidence to share ideas, take initiative, and move from simply listening to actively contributing—and building something of my own.
What would you say to a student who is considering joining SMC?
Try it before you say no! A lot of us assume we're too young or don't have enough to offer yet. That assumption is almost always wrong. Go in with an open mind, really listen, and cherish the people and conversations you find there.
If you could give advice to your younger self when you first joined SMC, what would it be?
Ask more questions and don't try to impress anyone, just stay genuinely curious. And don't wait until you feel ready to start something. Readiness is mostly something you build by actually doing.
Written by Chloe XU
About SMC Youth Leadership Track
Operating as a student-led, mentor-supported organisation on a fully volunteer basis, SMC is actively run and operated by students, who take ownership of programme execution, community initiatives, and day-to-day operations under mentor guidance.
The SMC Youth Leadership Track is a structured programme designed to develop globally ready, values-anchored youth leaders in preparation for Singapore’s next phase of development (SG100).
The programme follows a three-tier progression pathway—Student Volunteer, Student Leader, and Youth Leadership Committee— enabling youth to grow from contributors into leaders and mentors within SMC’s ecosystem.
Interested in joining SMC as a student volunteer? Send your resume to smccareers8@gmail.com