LKYSPP 17th Anniversary podcast series

The concept of social inclusion stresses the causes, experiences and consequences of persistent, overlapping disadvantages. Social inclusion envisions the opposite of a socially exclusive society. In this vision, people are able to take part in social activities that are considered customary in that time and place; they have capacity for economic production and consumption; they also get to shape the decisions that directly affect them.

In recent months, the Singapore government announced plans to develop new public housing in prime locations, introduce workplace anti-discrimination laws and expand the Progressive Wage Model to more sectors and occupations. These initiatives fall in several critical domains of social policy – housing, income and work. Can they pave the way to a more inclusive society? Ng Kok Hoe (LKYSPP) and Shailey Hingorani (AWARE) discuss these questions in a conversation on social inclusion, research and advocacy.

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Many observers have hailed China’s steady commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change. Today, China plays a leading role in developing alternative energy sources and has made bold announcements targeting carbon emissions, new construction of coal power-plants, and protection of biodiversity. At the same time, the green Belt Road is poised to become a leading mechanism in Beijing’s overarching vision for environmental protection and sustainable development

Is Beijing in the process of devising a new system of global environmental governance? How does it align with the pressing need for urgent action on climate and biodiversity? What are some of the challenges and opportunities along the way?

To explore such questions, Dr Kaneti draws on empirical evidence from specific Belt Road projects and anchors her discussion in the conceptual framework of environmental protection as a super wicked problem.

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How will societies cope with the rising numbers of older persons and ensure their welfare in the future? How are the pandemic, technological changes, and globalisation affecting the societal compact in ageing societies? How might smaller cohorts of younger persons generate the output required to help support the post-retirement needs of the elderly?  How do we ensure that the retirees’ post-retirement needs are financially supported, in the face of a shrinking tax base of younger working age persons?

In this podcast, Christopher Gee, Senior Research Fellow and Head of Governance & Economy at the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS and Dr Zeewan Lee, Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy discuss the implications of rapid societal ageing on economic productivity and the welfare of the different generations and genders, and the policy options available to address these challenges.

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With the rise of woke culture and more widespread awareness of the disadvantages and difficulties faced by minorities, inclusion is turning into a watchword. Many organisations are facing pressure to enact diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies. However, such policies have often been interpreted too broadly and applied uncritically.

Universal inclusion, such as through colour-blind hiring strategies, affirmative action through quotas for minorities and a range of accommodations, could have unintended consequences. Such initiatives can result in impractical outcomes for organisations and undermine social cohesion in broader society.

Associate Professor Suzaina Kadir, Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) and Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy welcomes Dr Mathew Mathews, Principal Research Fellow and Head, Social Lab, Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy for a critical discussion about the realities of this complex topic.

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Global unrest is at record highs today, up to four times greater than any time since the 1950s.  Nationalism, xenophobia, identity politics, and populism all figure prominently now in conversations around the entire world. These confound the world's search for geopolitical security.  By their disrupting economic performance, societies everywhere are potentially falling into a vicious circle of ever-escalating internal tension.  What are the critical points in that chain that policymakers need to understand to break this cycle of disruption?  Where does economic failure fit in society's ill-temper?  How much is economic inequality the problem, how does inequality connect with the loss of social cohesion?

How can we improve social cohesion through applying scientific evidence to better inform policy?  In earlier times inequality was arguably even higher.  What was the basic social bargain then that nonetheless gave everyone a stake in social betterment?  Have modern societies irrevocably broken that implicit covenant? How do we repair this worldwide fall in social trust?

Prof Danny Quah, Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy joins Assoc Prof Leong Ching, Vice Provost (Student Life) and Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy for an in-depth conversation.

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