Singapore

I represent Singapore because my multicultural heritage and experiences in this immigrant-driven city-state have taught me that community resilience is built on the solidarity of the unnoticed.

I am investigating the humanitarian narrative behind Singapore’s fifty-year battle with dengue, shifting focus from cold government statistics to the unrecognized labor of community health volunteers and cleaners. I want to highlight the "civic responsibility" of everyday citizens whose rapid adaptation to urban environmental crises serves as the city’s true immune system. My work spotlight the underappreciated laborers who, like Cicero’s Archias, contribute to the state’s well-being through communal commitment rather than formal authority.

This story is significant because it proves that a modern city’s survival depends not just on policy, but on a shared, lived ethics of collective responsibility. It challenges the exclusion of ordinary humanitarian efforts from the narrative of national success.

—Yvonne Chen

Yvonne Chen

Chapter Leader

An international student attending her junior year at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. She is dedicated to studying and shedding light on the voices and rights of marginalized groups within society. Her current academic focus is exploring women pacifism throughout the twentieth century.

The chapter delves into Singapore's historical and ongoing battle against dengue and the effectiveness of government response in battling this health crisis through various citizens' perspectives.

Team Members

Ananya Dasgupta

Joanna Ku

An international student attending 11th grade at UWCSEA East in Singapore. She is currently focusing on studying humanities and societies around the world through history and economics. She hopes to one day study law and go on to become a lawyer, continuing her focus on human society.

An international student attending Grade 11 at UWCSEA East in Singapore. She is committed to helping those in marginalized communities through advocacy and service. Her current academic focus is international relations and law.

Attending the 11th Grade at Singapore’s UWCSEA East, Joanna is passionate about exploring the world around her. She is committed to advocating for the underrepresented voices, especially for those who lack the opportunities to be heard. She is currently pursuing a diverse range of professional experiences in order to gain further insight into other perspectives and realities.

In the Field

Cici Lou