A SPACE FOR YOUTH, BY YOUTH? REASSEMBLING YOUNG SINGAPOREANS' PARTICIPATORY AND FRIENDSHIP PROCESSES THROUGH THE 2010 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

Abstract

WHILE THE AGENDA FOR PROMOTING YOUNG PEOPLE AS AGENTS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT HAS GAINED PROMINENCE IN POPULAR AND ACADEMIC DISCOURSE, THE PRACTICE OF ACCORDING THEM GREATER AGENCY IN SOCIETY AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH HAS BEEN LESS PRODUCTIVE. THE 2010 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES (YOG) WAS A SPECTACULAR AND UNIQUE ASSEMBLING OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO FORM A COMMUNITY THAT DEMONSTRATED THE OLYMPIC VALUES OF `EXCELLENCE, RESPECT AND FRIENDSHIP?. THE EVENT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOWCASE THEIR VOICES AND ACTIVISM TO THE WORLD THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT. FOR MANY YOUNG SINGAPOREANS, THEIR COMMITMENT TO YOG WAS DRIVEN BY SIMILAR GOALS OF SHOWCASING YOUTH ACTIVISM AND FRIENDSHIP BUILDING EVEN THOUGH PARTICIPATING IN YOG CREATED A MOMENT OF RUPTURE TO THE ESTABLISHED ORDER OF THEIR EVERYDAY LIFEWORLDS. YOUNG PEOPLE?S SPATIALITIES AND SOCIALITIES DURING THE GAMES WERE INFLUENCED BY A DIVERSE SET OF ACTORS THAT COMPOSED THE EVENT, INCLUDING ADULTS, INSTITUTIONAL BODI