Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Covid-19 And Procrastination: The Struggle To Stay Motivated In A Pandemic, Singapore Management University

Social Space

COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of countless internships, travel plans, summer jobs, music concerts and festivals, graduations, conferences, you name it. Fixed deadlines have become fluid, and both short-term and long-term goals are presently at the mercy of something far beyond our control. In the face of a global pandemic, we may find ourselves wondering, “Why bother planning for anything anyway?" Yet this very mindset is the crux of the coronavirus procrastination problem, says CHARDONNAY NEEDLER.

Covid-19: A New Chapter In The Loneliness Epidemic, Nancy Zhu

Social Space

We live in an era of increasing innovation and connectivity. It's said that we have the world is at our fingertips, with social media granting us the ability to link up quickly and easily with anyone across the globe. Yet the irony is that loneliness is a trusty companion in a modern and interconnected world.

Covid-19 And Boredom: A Photoessay, Kylie Cooper

Social Space

For the second time in my life, I was riding a train alone. I looked around to see what my fellow passengers were up to. A woman wearing a lime green beanie was leaned over, asleep with her mouth open. Nearby, a man was flipping through the pages of a newspaper, pausing every now and then to take a sip of his drink. Why were they on the southbound train on a foggy Saturday morning at 7:30 am?

Humanity, Above All: Facing Covid-19 With Altruism, Compassion And Empathy, Michael Jenkins

Social Space

In Singapore, we have seen many examples of altruism, compassion and empathy taking place during this challenging COVID-19 period. These ACE attributes, as I call them, are instances of humanity in action.

Living And Learning In A Lockdown: 5 Ways To Stay Productive And Entertained At Home, Ishan Singh

Social Space

If nothing else, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that staying at home is tougher than it seems. For introverts like myself, hunkering indoors should come naturally—even pre-coronavirus, I didn't get out a whole lot. Yet the experience has turned out to be very different when hanging out at home becomes less of a pastime and more of national responsibility.

Privilege In A Pandemic: An International Student's Perspective, Athena Macatangay

Social Space

And just like that, Singapore is approaching the end of its national circuit breaker.

These days, my university dorm has become my little universe. With COVID-19 showing no signs of abating, my schoolmates and I have been spending our semester break indoors. All the action takes place within the four walls of my room, where I clock my hours at a virtual internship, read, exercise and FaceTime with friends and family.

Nurturing Societal Leadership: Activities As Building Blocks, Simon Mckenzie, Jane Sassienie, Sunil Savara

Social Space

We previously discussed the importance of societal leadership in building a better world for future generations—and how societal leaders are driven by a purpose far greater than themselves. In the first article, we introduced the Bridge Societal Leadership Model and outlined the common beliefs observed in many societal leaders. In the second article, we examined their common capacities, such as their remarkable abilities and capabilities.

Crisis Communications: Facing Covid-19 Together Could Lead To Positive Psychological Growth, Lowri Dowthwaite

Social Space

Although news reports of hoarding, and panic-buying might make it hard to believe, research shows that natural disasters, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can actually bring out the best in people. Although times of significant threat or crisis can cause post-traumatic stress, research shows that so-called “adversarial growth” is just as common as a response. This is our capacity to not only overcome a crisis, but to actually grow stronger, wiser and more resilient.

What Makes A Good Person?, Ishan Singh

Social Space

A few weeks ago, my editor sent me this New York Times article about “how to be good”, asking if I'd be interested to pen a commentary based on a similar premise. It seemed easy enough at the time, so I readily agreed. But once I got down to actually thinking about the subject, I found myself at a loss for words.

Covid-19 Has Rewritten Social Narratives. What We Now Need Is A Unifying Mindset, Arthur Adimoelia

Social Space

As COVID-19 cases climb into the millions and the world scrambles to contain its spread, many fingers are pointed at different members of society for not taking social distancing and other mitigating measures seriously.

Art Attack! Tanya Wilson's Creative Mission To Engage Children On Social Issues, Singapore Management University

Social Space

Meet Tanya Wilson, 41, co-founder of EYEYAH!, an interactive platform that uses visually arresting design and artworks to educate children on important social issues like internet safety, healthy eating, mental health, climate change and so on. The mother of two primary-school-aged daughters is no stranger to the creative industry, having spent two decades developing content and experiences for the likes of Netflix, Facebook, Nike, Coca-Cola, Tiger Beer and Heineken. These days, Tanya and her co-founder Steve Lawler are busy equipping young learners with creative thinking skills which, they believe, are essential to solving the world's complex challenges. ISHAN SINGH …

Arts For Community Development In Singapore, Kar Yee Lim

Social Space

In the National Arts Council’s Report on the Arts and Culture Strategic Review,4 it emphasised the importance of promoting social cohesion across population segments via arts and cultural initiatives. It further stated its objective to bring the arts to everyone, everywhere and every day; and to build capabilities to achieve excellence.

The Role Of The Arts In Placemaking Singapore, Su Fern Hoe

Social Space

Singapore is no exception. This is palpably evident in the recent disappearance of cherished spaces such as Rochor Centre, Sungei Road Flea Market and Pearl Bank Apartments. As Janadas Devan once aptly stated, “forgetting is the condition of Singapore.”

This leads one to wonder: in a cityscape where the only constant is change, how can we foster a sense of place and belonging? How and where do we develop social relations beyond our own homes? Are we still able to form meaningful experiences with others as well as our surroundings?

Heart Faculty: Jacelyn Lim, Ishan Singh

Social Space

Meet Jacelyn Lim, 46, Deputy Executive Director of the Autism Resource Centre,1 a Singapore-based NPO that serves children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Through advocacy and provision of services spanning education, employment and training, it hopes to empower individuals with ASD to lead meaningful and independent lives. ARC also manages The Art Faculty,2 whosemerchandise features the works of artists with special needs. For every product you purchase at TAF, differently-abled artists receive royalties and learn the value of work and financial independence. ISHAN SINGH catches up with Jacelyn to find out more about what she does and how art …

The Beat Goes On: Arthur Choo, Ishan Singh

Social Space

Meet Arthur Choo, 31, artiste and founder of BEAT’ABOX Group, a cajon school in Singapore.Besides performing and conducting workshops for companies and schools, Arthur and his team hope to make the cajon (pronounced “kah-hone”, a wooden box played like a drum) the bridge between society and marginalised groups, including at-risk youth, senior citizens and people with disabilities. There are no barriers to taking up this art form at BEAT’ABOX—there are cajons specially designed for the hearing-impaired (they light up when struck), smaller-sized cajons that can fit into the laps of the wheelchair- bound, and so on. ISHAN SINGH speaks to …

"How Do I Look?": The Fashion Industry Needs A Makeover, Trang Chu Minh

Social Space

Despite the rise of socially responsible businesses and conscious shoppers, the fashion industry seems to be falling behind. It is common to read reports of clothing brands whose ethics and manufacturing practices are called into question—some even accused of slavery in their supply chains. But errant retailers aside, one still wonders: given the seasonal nature of what’s “on trend” and the prevalence of “fast fashion”, can this industry ever break out of the cycle of overproduction and overconsumption?

Cooking Up The Kampung Spirit: Ngiam Su-Lin, Ishan Singh

Social Space

Meet Ngiam Su-Lin, 44, Co-founder and Executive Director of ArtsWok Collaborative, an arts- based NPO that engages the general public via community-based arts projects, research and advocacy. The ArtsWok team partners with organisations and groups to put up participatory performances and public art installations examining various social issues, presents plays by young people on social issues in an annual theatre festival, and trains and mentors practitioners in arts and community work. Su-Lin herself is no stranger to the local arts scene—she’s worked in this space for almost two decades, producing community theatre and festivals—but she’s also a trained counsellor and …

Plan D: Design And Social Responsibility, Harah Chon

Social Space

Most are familiar withthe use of this term as a noun, in which design refers to finished objects, forms, services and solutions. Design is often used as an adjective to describeaesthetic qualities or the utility and function of things. As a pronoun, however, design emphasises the networks or systems involved in the industry as a whole. But what sets design apart from all other human activities is in its useas a verb, denoting its many approaches, perspectives, actions, processes, ideations, interpretations and implementations.

Now You Seaweed, Now You Don't: Photographing Rongcheng's Disappearing Seaweed Houses, Yanjing Liu

Social Space

This county-level city is known not only for its picturesque beauty, but also for being the site of seaweed houses— traditional homes built from natural seaweed and stones. Inhabited mainly by local fishermen, these structures are a reflection of northern Chinese marine culture and fishery customs.

North East Integrated Care Programme (Icp): A Ground-Up And Grounded Model, Kar Yee Lim, Zhong Liang Ong

Social Space

Schools and school counsellors can only look after students while they are physically in school, and not many can do so outside of school, or are able to tackle wider problems that go beyond the child, such as if they faced challenges at home. Although school personnel occasionally pay home visits to certain pupils to explore ways of engaging them or offering assistance, it is not always

easy to bridge the gap betweentheir specific needs and theavailable social services in the community.

Silver Generation, Golden Age: Vanessa Keng, Nurin Nazifa Binte Mohd Yusoff

Social Space

Meet Vanessa Keng, 30, co-founder of The Golden Concepts,1 an e-tailer of innovative eldercare products designed to keep seniors independent and safe. Offering a wide catalogue of items sourced frominternational suppliers, you will find everything from wheelchairs and walking canes, to car accessories and doorknob grips. NURiN NaZiFa BiNTe MoHD YUSoFF catches up with Vanessa to learn more about “heart ware”, and her mission to leverage technology for social good.

Die-Logue: Elderly Isolation And The Need To Talk About Death, Mark Lin

Social Space

In recent years, much attention has been paid to the elderly population of Singapore—often manifested as articles about the “silver tsunami” as well as an ageing population’s impact on the economy, workforce and healthcare. However, there are much fewer discussions that touch on how a growing number of people are dying, and how these deaths can pose signifi cant challenges in themselves. At the macro level, the general belief is that an economy can be kept going as long as businesses raise productivity and expand their market presence through “gamechanging” innovations. However, when it comes to addressing a problem like …

Special Delivery: An Afternoon With Three Ladies Behind Mamre Oaks, Han Peng Ho, Trang Delos Luu, Geraldine Szeto, Magdelene Yip, Diana Low

Social Space

Initiatives and groups vested in promoting the well-being of people with disabilities have been on the rise in Singapore—many focus on the school-going age group, with a smaller number catering to adults with disabilities. Besides raising awareness for a more inclusive society, such organisations often provide meaningful social engagement, skills training, employment opportunities and/or caregiver support for their membership and the larger community.

The Inclusion Index: Common Terms In The Discourse Of Social Inclusion, Trang Luu

Social Space

The equal availability of services, facilities, opportunities and resources to people belonging to disadvantaged groups.

Social Stratosphere: Hot Topics And Happenings In Social Innovation, Tamara Prabhakar, Trang Delos Luu

Social Space

Ever heard of a kind of handmade paper that lasts up to 800 years? The extremely durable Dó paper—made from the bark of the Rhamnoneuron balansae and traditionally produced in Vietnam—is renowned for its durability and resilience, and famous for being the canvas for Vietnamese folk art paintings. However, the meticulous manufacturing process of Dó paper, involving up to 100 steps, is fast becoming obsolete due to the rise in mass-produced goods. Wishing to revitalise this industry, Tran Hong Nhung founded the social enterprise Zo Project, which aims to support the livelihoods of artisans and promote the papermaking trade. Not …

In All Fairness: Two Decades Of Cedaw And The State Of Gender Equality In Singapore, Ning Qian

Social Space

In an inclusive society, all women would have equal opportunities as men to participate socially, politically and economically. They would be valued and recognised as individuals in their own right and not primarily defi ned by their marital and reproductive status. Has this been achieved in Singapore? Contrary to common belief, the nation still has some ways to go in this regard, for signifi cant groups of women in Singapore continue to be marginalised and disadvantaged.

Reconciling The Divide: A Chat With Bill Drayton On Social Inclusion, Tamara Prabhakar, Bill Drayton

Social Space

Within the confi nes of day-to-day routines, it is often diffi cult to cognitively grasp the exponential rate at which the social and industrial sectors are changing. In recent years, the rising prominence of social entrepreneurship is trending as an evolved, levelling collaborative model for solving social problems more effectively than traditionally rigid hierarchical structures of management. Social entrepreneurs hold the distinct ability to innovate and form novel solutions based on their fi rst-hand cultural knowledge and experiences rather than from popular generalised perceptions or indirect comprehension of situations from diffused information.

In Good Company: In The Future, Every Business Might Be Social, Christian Petroske

Social Space

It sounds like a riddle: why would Coca Cola, one of the biggest soft drinks companies in the world, be investing in a cause to empower fi ve million female entrepreneurs globally by 2020? It’s true:1 the Coca Cola Company’s initiative, called 5by20, is a forerunning example of a trend sweeping the corporate world. This trend is known by many names, the foremost of which are “shared value”, “inclusive business” or “sustainable business”. Their defi nitions can seem murky at fi rst, but these terms share a common thread. They sit at the intersection of economy and society, one that …

Bully Be Gone: What Is Workplace Bullying And Why Does It Matter?, Lynne Curry

Social Space

We have all met at least one in the course of our careers. He, or she, is the angry, aggressive bully who insults you to your face and behind your back. You would expect that at some point they would tire of this behaviour, but bullies thrive on demeaning and belittling you. Meanwhile, being bullied saps your emotional and physical energy until you fi nally resign from a job you once loved.

New School: Can We Rethink Education For An Inclusive Future?, Chris Oestereich

Social Space

It is not always easy to give career advice to young people. In my time, there were virtual paths laid out for youths. Most of them started similarly. Go to school. Work hard. Get good grades. Squeeze in admirable activities. Decide what you want to be for the rest of your life. (The last bit was tricky.) Based on these, people chose a fork in the road that they believed would suit them and then made the best of it, earned a degree and then set off to start their careers. Not everyone had the chance to head down these …