ABSTRACT
In July 2015, the author organised a workshop for five young people at Lakeside Family Service Centre in Singapore. For development theorist Majid Rahnema, recognising that the people ability to relate to other human beings who cohabit this earth is limited by their own biases and inculcated values is a first step towards being able to participate fully in the wider living world. In her research on inequality in Singapore, sociologist Teo Yeo Yenn has noted that low-income families who cannot afford to send their children to preschool have found that not being able to read and write in English by the start of compulsory education at six years of age significantly disadvantages their child’s ability to cope with English and Mathematics. In Singapore, young people in formal education are presently assessed relative to one another. Being imperfect with Z has challenged the author to relate differently, to participate more compassionately, in this hypercompetitive place called Singapore.
