In Singapore, a youth-led initiative brings together young people from different cultural backgrounds to explore how identity and a sense of belonging are shaped through everyday experiences. Using photography, storytelling, and game design, they share personal perspectives, opening up conversations, and opportunities to learn from one another.
Youth Circles: Stories Across Cultures is part of the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme, supported by UNESCO’s Sciences Sector through mentoring, training and a grant. Led by Young Leader Sharon Chen, the project is delivered through a series of workshops that combine creative activities with dialogue and reflection.
In one activity, participants use their phones to document places, routines, and interactions that shape their sense of self and place. Their photographs capture moments from daily life, from family gatherings and shared meals to neighbourhood spaces and cultural traditions, which then become the starting point for group discussions.
To be able to talk to others regarding culture and personal experience, really broadened my horizons. I felt a series of emotions, from almost crying to laughing non-stop. Truly a lovely start
Andre D’Rozario
The workshops also include guided conversations where participants use their photographs as starting points to explore identity, belonging, and cultural diversity. As they share the stories behind the images they have captured, young people reflect on their own experiences, listen to different perspectives and discover both commonalities and differences across cultures. These exchanges encourage participants to challenge assumptions, deepen their understanding of others, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Trained facilitators help create a safe and inclusive environment where all voices can be heard.
Participants are involved in shaping the workshops from start to finish. Their experiences, ideas, and feedback help guide the discussions and influence the creative outputs developed throughout the project. As the workshops progress, common themes begin to emerge, including friendships across cultures, stereotypes, language barriers, migration, ideas of home and the small everyday actions that help people feel welcomed and included.
These shared insights are then translated into a card game created by the young people themselves. Designed for use in schools, youth groups and community spaces, the game encourages players to share experiences, discuss questions of identity and belonging, and listen to different perspectives.
The initiative works with community organisations, cultural institutions and youth networks across Singapore to bring the workshops’ themes into public spaces such as exhibitions and community venues.
An interactive exhibition presents participants’ photo journals alongside the card game they developed. Visitors will be able to explore the images, read the accompanying reflections, and try out the game, creating opportunities to consider how questions of identity, belonging and culture appear in their own lives.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/exploring-belonging-singapore-through-photography-and-play?hub=701
