What attracted Mr Ow Yeong to the CEP is its emphasis on the importance of religious harmony. “It is important to avoid underestimating the need for tolerance and understanding, so that any terrorist attack or national crisis won't spark communal violence, as has happened in too many countries”, he says. In general, he believes that the CEP provides a sound structural framework for youth to have a stake in the maintenance and improvement of racial and religious relations in Singapore.

“The fact is that youth today can influence perceptions of religion, especially with the advent of social media. When it comes to matters of religion, ignorance isn't bliss. A single ill-thought blog entry or Facebook post can incite hatred and potentially trigger violence”, he adds. “Youth need to understand the repercussions of their actions when it comes to racial and religious matters, and the CEP can help to promote such understanding.”

Outlining the Buddhist perspective on communal harmony, Mr Ow Yeong says that the Buddhist tradition places strong emphasis on peace and harmony. Particularly emphasized, he notes, is the value of conflict resolution between communities. In fact, the Buddhist scriptures emphasize the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue. “Buddhism is not a system of dogmas, nor is it a revealed religion that claims absolute monopoly of the truth, so Buddhists are free to learn from other religions to advance their spiritual growth”, he explains.

Mr Ow Yeong and his friends have translated that belief into action on campus. “As president of the NUS Buddhist Society, I'm proud to say that one of my Society's stated objectives is to promote harmony and understanding with other racial and religious groups.”

For instance, when the controversial video clips by Pastor Rony Tan were publicized, the Buddhist Society issued a response addressing misconceptions in them. This response received thousands of page views with many positive comments, providing further evidence of the importance of youth involvement in promoting religious understanding.