Social Policy Commons^™

Measuring Poverty In Singapore: Frameworks For Consideration, John A. Donaldson, Jacqueline Loh, Sanushka Mudaliar, Mumtaz Md Kadir, Biqi Wu, Lam Keong Yeoh

Social Space

Singapore does not have an official poverty line. Should there be one? And what are the frameworks that have been used or could be adopted for the measurement of poverty in this country? The Lien Centre for Social Innovation and SMU School of Social Sciences report on their investigation into the complex issue of domestic poverty. Team: John Donaldson, Jacqueline Loh, Sanushka Mudaliar, Mumtaz Md Kadir, Wu Biqi and Yeoh Lam Keong.

Social Innovation Labs: A Tool For Social Integration, Pradeep Ghosh

Social Space

The Organisation for Awareness of Integrated Social Security (OAS iS) has designed a different approach to innovation in India by creating social innovation labs to work across the social sector. Pradeep Ghosh describes the approach and the work of OAS iS, and shows how social innovation labs can play an increasingly important role in creating solutions for the Indian society.

Mapping Out An Age Friendly Singapore: Lessons From Pioneering Work In Ageing And Eldercare, Mary Ann Tsao

Social Space

As the Tsao Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2013, Social Space catches up with the indomitable Dr Mary Ann Tsao who explains what it means to be a catalyst for change and how the Foundation will continue in transforming the experience of longevity in the community.

Measuring Poverty In Singapore: Frameworks For Consideration, John A. Donaldson, Jacqueline Loh, Sanushka Mudaliar, Mumtaz Md Kadir, Biqi Wu, Lam Keong Yeoh

Social Space

Singapore does not have an official poverty line. Should there be one? And what are the frameworks that have used or could be adopted for the measurement of poverty in this country? The Lien Centre for Social Innovation and SMU School of Social Sciences report on their investigation into the complex issue of domestic poverty.

Unmet Needs In Portugal: Tradition And Emerging Trends, Helena Gata, Sara Almeida

Social Space

An indepth study on the unmet needs in Portugal was conducted by Tecnologia, Educação, Saúde e Engenharia (TESE ) with Dinamia-CET from the Lisbon University Institute from 2008 to 2010. Helena Gata and Sara Almeida offer us the first English translation on its findings and update us on the programmes created in response to the needs and vulnerable groups identified.

Methodological Craft: Comparing The Hunches And Assumptions Behind Social Change, Sarah Schulman

Social Space

Social innovation labs are emergent spaces for naming social challenges, testing hypotheses, developing and spreading interventions. Despite the common denominator of experimentation, they vary in methodology. Dr Sarah Schulman makes explicit her observation of the hunches and assumptions embedded in the current social change methodologies.

The Poverty Line: A Visual Examination On What It Means To Be Poor In Singapore, Stefen Chow, Hui-Yi Lin

Social Space

The Poverty Line project explores a simple question: What does it mean to be poor? Through photos of daily amounts of food that could be bought if one’s income lies at the poverty line, the project creates a visual impact on the choices faced by a poor person in a country.

Cpf Life: Managing Longevity Risk As Singaporeans Live Longer, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

To combat the possibility that retirees might outlive their assets, Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) – the national compulsory savings and social security scheme – made the bold move of mandating annuitisation. This followed the findings of a 2007 government study examining how CPF might respond to an increasing life expectancy as the country's baby boomer generation enters retirement.

Change For The Singapore Tiger, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

Singapore, dubbed one of Asian’s economic tigers, has enjoyed much progress in less than a century. While it was recently declared the world’s richest country, the voices of its citizens, to relook the future of the country has never been louder since its post-independence years. The dialogue session held in August 2012, was organised by the government’s feedback unit, REACH, and SMU’s student political association "Apolitical" to gather views from young Singaporeans on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally speech.

Green Earth Concepts: Starting Up A Social Enterprise In Cambodia, Joel Eng Shen Ong

Lien Centre Student Case Studies

No abstract provided.

Eco Travel Singapore - Balancing Social And Profit Motives, Biqi Wu

Lien Centre Student Case Studies

No abstract provided.

Mira - Growing A Micro-Philanthropy Platform, Enqin Wang

Lien Centre Student Case Studies

No abstract provided.

Every Business A Social Business: Fantasy Or Destiny?, Ka Kui Tse

Social Space

Business as usual is no longer enough, Ka Kui Tse insits. Corporations should be prepared to transition into social businesses or cease to be relevant.

Getting The Foundations Right: The Social Protection Floor Initiative, Braema Mathi

Social Space

For a serious shot at reducing poverty, Braema Mathi urges societies, especially those in Asia, to implement the Social Protection Floor Initiative.

Reclaiming Singapore's Lost Soul - An Interview With Stanley Tan, Lien Centre For Social Innovation

Social Space

As Singapore’s volunteer chief, Stanley Tan has been championing a more active citizenry and finding back the lost soul of Singapore. Social Space catches up with the chairman of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) for his insights on Singaporeans and the social sector.

The Arts As A Social Cause, Felicia Low

Social Space

The arts may be quietly making waves, says Felicia Low, but much more can be done to support the movement and effect real change.

Leading Social Design: What Does It Take?, Christian Bason

Social Space

Across the globe, design is increasingly seen as a discipline that is central to social innovation. However, the fruitful use of design by public and social sector organisations requires leaders who are prepared to embrace new approaches such as ethnographic research, user involvement, ideation, prototyping and experimentation. Christian Bason explores how effective design practice can help realise social innovation.

Unmet Social Needs In Singapore: Singapore's Social Structures And Policies, And Their Impact On Six Vulnerable Communities, Braema Mathi, Sharifah Mohamed

Lien Centre for Social Innovation: Research

In line with Lien Centre’s vision to catalyse positive social change, this research was carried out to understand social gaps in Singapore and how our society’s ability to meet social needs can be enhanced. Despite basic social needs in Singapore being essentially met through direct government interventions and the contributions of non-governmental social service activities, there are today some vulnerable groups that remain or have become more prominent. This research project aims to identify some of these needs and the possible approaches to addressing them.

It is hoped that some of the recommendations of this report will be helpful for …

The State Of Play Of Csr In Singapore, Eugene K. B. Tan

Lien Centre for Social Innovation: Research

Given Singapore’s status as an economic powerhouse in the Asian region, it might be reasonable to assume that the level of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity would be proportionate. However, in frequent comparisons of CSR across countries, both academically and anecdotally, Singapore seems to fall short.

The understanding of CSR has not kept pace with the expectations and demands placed on business by the various stakeholders, including consumers and governments. It would be worthwhile to understand the reasons why this is so.

The research has three objectives:

- To examine the drivers of and impediments to CSR in Singapore;

- …

The Global Ecosystem For Social Innovation, Louise Pulford

Social Space

Louise Pulford shares how the social innovation industry is applying its own medicine to accelerate social innovation globally.

Social Innovation Challenge Prizes: More Than Just The Money, Laura Bunt

Social Space

Beyond the hype and happiness of winning, when it comes to finding social solutions, innovation prizes are serious business. Laura Buntexplains why.

Disruptive Logic: A New Paradigm For Social Change, Gigi Georges, Tim Glynn Burke

Social Space

Disruptive reform is a heady, alluring tool for champions of social change, and as Gigi Georges and Time Glynn Burkepoint out in a series of case studies, if done well, it can reap significant rewards.

The Promise Of Social Impact Bonds, John Loder

Social Space

A financial tool from Wall Street is being adapted in the social market to nurture early interventions and incentivise capital flow. As John Loder reports, social impact bonds promise two fundamental shifts—for governments to overcome the politics of fear and for private investors to fund social causes with impact.

Tiny Ideas, Big Changes, Won Soon Park

Social Space

Won Soon Park from the Hope Institute dissects the Social Invention Programme, a model designed to change and improve social policies by actively engaging a community of citizens.

Transitions Within The Ecosystem Of Change, Willie Cheng

Social Space

The ecosystem paradigm provides a framework to understand and influence the forces of change facing the nonprofit sector. In this extract from the forthcoming book, “The World That Changes The World: How philanthropy, entrepreneurship and innovation are transforming the social ecosystem,” Willie Cheng describes the social ecosystem framework, its change enablers and macro-trends.

Lien Centre For Social Innovation: Highlights Of The Start-Up Years, Lien Centre For Social Innovation

Social Space

This year, the Lien Centre for Social Innovation celebrates its fifth anniversary as an institution that’s dedicated to being a thought leader and catalyst for positive social change in Singapore and Asia. As we continue to refine and broaden our efforts to fulfil the Centre’s mandate, this article highlights some of the key activities and accomplishments in our start-up years, grouped in terms of our key areas of focus:

- Research

- Catalysing Social Innovation Initiatives

- Platforms

- Capacity Building

The Market And The Social Economy: Can The Twain Meet?, Willie Cheng

Social Space

Can the different paradigms of the market and social economy be reconciled? Willie Cheng suggests that the current remaking of both economies offers an invaluable opportunity.

A Fortunate Life...Even In Singapore, Ivy Singh-Lim

Social Space

Tilling the soil and soothing the soul: With a dagger strapped at the waist, Ivy Singh-Lim puts a head-spinning twist to the meaning of ‘retiring gracefully’ in Singapore.

A Rising Tide Lifts No Sunken Boat, Irene Ng, David Rothwell

Social Space

In these times of an economic downturn, several stressors impact more stiffly on vulnerable groups in Singapore. Irene Ng and David Rothwell point out these stressors at multiple levels and suggest ways social policy can continue to respond.

New Models For Doing Business: An Interview With Ho Kwon Ping, Kwon Ping Ho

Social Space

The business sector has been a tremendous source of innovation for the social space, giving the world social innovations such as microfinance and venture philanthropy. Business entrepreneur Ho Kwon Ping shares with Social Space his insights on how business principles can be applied to the social sector, and on the paradigm shifts needed in the commercial sector as well as in business schools.