Routledge Transforming Society: Strategies for Social Development from Singapore, Asia and Around the World (Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series)

Social change affects all quarters of life and human society whether in individual neighbourhoods, communities or nations, or in the world as a whole – encompassing many issues of gender, age, social class and ethnicity. This book examines both the conceptual as well as operational aspects of social transformation and social development. It examines societal transformation at the individual, group, community, national and international levels using a range of case studies from Singapore, Asia and around the world. The four parts of this book highlight the challenges of social development; issues concerning workforce and migration; welfare, women and social care; as well as, community development and capacity building. Social development and social transformation are presented as intertwined concepts that affect citizens in profound ways from social care to social well-being, construction of social relationship as well as community life, capacity building and nation building. Review 'We each face new challenges in our own societies, as well as new global challenges that affect all of us. But whatever we do in social policy, we can never lose sight of the social values and norms that make for an inclusive society in the fullest sense. Our whole approach must be to empower aspirations. Never leaving people to fend for themselves, but keeping a compact that both strengthens what we aspire to be collectively and encourages personal and family responsibility.' - Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, Singapore 'The authors thoughtfully address the challenges of social and economic development and issues faced by development workers, as well as the individuals, families and communities in which they work. The importance of this work cannot be underestimated, as it affects the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and societies. This book will be invaluable to social work and social development practitioners and educators alike.' - Professor Barbara Shank, President, International Consortium for Social Development 'The editors of this important new book are to be congratulated for compiling a collection of thought-provoking contributions by leading scholars in social welfare and social development. Ranging over diverse topics, they address some of the most critical issues in the field today. The book’s global perspective and focus on interventions that can address some of the world's most pressing problems is particularly noteworthy. The book will be a vital resource for scholars, students and practitioners everywhere.' - James Midgley, Harry and Riva Specht Professor Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley About the Author Ngoh Tiong Tan is Professor of Social Work and former Dean of School of Human Development and Social Services, SIM University Singapore, recently renamed as Singapore University of Social Sciences. Prof. Tan is also Chair of the Global Institute of Social Work (GISW), past President of Singapore Association of Social Workers, immediate past Chair of the Commonwealth Organisation for Social Workers (COSW), past Vice-President of International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). He led IFSW and COSW’s FAST (Families and Survivors of Tsunami) Project as an international social work response to the Asian tsunami disaster and chaired the recent International Consortium for Social Development conference in Singapore. He is currently President of ConneXions International, a non-profit society with the mission to assist international students, scholars and new residents in Singapore.