From Umbrella Movement to Indyref: Youth, Politics and the Art of Resistance

Part of The Shock of Victory Forum Events.

Alistair Fraser of The University of Glasgow's School of Social and Political Science presents a one-off evening event focusing on the role of young people in the recent political movements in Scotland and Hong Kong, including a screening of the documentary film Lessons in Dissent.

Across the world, young people are experiencing increasing precariousness: of work, of housing, and of social stability. In some contexts, this has led to violence and disorder – most recently in the riots that shook the United Kingdom in 2011. In others, however, this has led to increased politicisation of young people, as the next generation struggle to create a different kind of society. In 2014, two examples of this new form of youthful politics emerged, unexpectedly yet vividly, in two very different contexts: Scotland and Hong Kong. In Scotland, the referendum saw young people – including, for the first time, 16 and 17 year-olds – politically mobilised as never before, engaging in politics in a way that was both creative and committed. In Hong Kong, the youth-led ‘Occupy’ movement for universal suffrage brought the eyes of the world’s media onto the city. The Umbrella Movement, as it became known, lasted some three months, and at its peak brought over 100,000 to the streets; elevating the humble umbrella to a symbol for a unique brand of Hong Kong-style street politics. While both movements have been riven by tension, division and class difference, this synergy nonetheless represent a unique opportunity for understanding the intersection of global forces and local cultures that make up contemporary youth politics. These new political identities stand in stark contrast to the predominant narratives of youth in the twenty-first century, which revolve around crime, disorder and precarity.

This evening event will focus on artistic, academic and political responses to youth-led movements in Scotland and Hong Kong, incorporating three platforms for discussion:

Introduction – (Re)Imagining Youth: A presentation of findings from a recent research study on youth leisure and public housing in Glasgow and Hong Kong, drawing key points of similarity and difference between the two contexts.

Film Screening – Lessons in Dissent: A screening of the documentary Lessons in Dissent, focusing on Joshua Wong, central figure in the recent Umbrella Movement.

Panel Discussion – From Umbrella Movement to Indyref: A panel discussion reflecting on the parallels and contrasts between youth politics in Scotland and Hong Kong, including Matthew Torne (director, Lessons in Dissent), Dr Susan Batchelor (Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow), Loki (Glasgow-based activist and resident artist, VRU) and Suki Wan (Member of Scottish Youth Parliament, Glasgow Shettleston).

Further information

Project website: reimaginingyouth.wordpress.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/imaginingyouth
Lessons in Dissent: lessonsindissentmovie.com/

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/144014363" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/144014363">From Umbrella Movement to Indyref: Youth, Politics and the Art of Resistance</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/ccaglasgow">CCA: Glasgow</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/90454612?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/90454612">Lessons in Dissent - Official 1 minute Trailer</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/tornefilms">Torne Films</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>