Session 12: Youth civic engagement through COVID-19 and during GE2020

With youth civic engagement in Singapore, a divide appears to be growing between government and ground efforts. The government sees some ground efforts as too radical, and in turn co-opts individuals and groups who complement rather than challenge its agenda. Conversely, those on the ground are critical of a government perceived as too slow, too conservative, and perhaps even immutable.

Tension has intensified following the COVID-19 pandemic and GE2020, culminating in contrasting visions of a post-pandemic Singapore. Leading up to both events, youth civic engagement was already accelerated by: First, social media and the Internet; second, issue-based advocacy and community building; third, increased awareness of socio-economic and racial inequalities; as well as fourth, the long-term influence of compulsory volunteerism.

Drawing from past research and podcast interviews recorded during the lockdown and the general elections, this session will explore arguments for the growing divide - ideological and fundamental, political, substantive, and representation - and consider implications for social and public policies in the future

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Kwan Jin Yao is a PhD candidate at UCLA and his research centres on the development, well-being, as well as civic engagement of adolescents, especially those from low-income families. To this end, Kwan focuses on the influence of the family and the community on adolescents. He also runs socialservice.sg, a website, newsletter, and podcast covering social service research in Singapore.