Transforming Society

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.

'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 conference and this book provides "opportunities to learn from a broad spectrum of advanced, emerging and developing countries. While the countries are in very different circumstances, the core challenges that we face are fairly similar. The central challenge that both advanced and developing countries face is achieving inclusive growth. In many ways, the world is in a transition that is marked by the search for better and more sustainable models of inclusive growth.' -Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister, Singapore.'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

• LIST OF CONTRIBUTORSFOREWORD by Hee Kiat CheongFOREWORD by Barbara W. ShankPREFACEPRELUDE: Social policy issues and social development in Singapore and around the world by Tharman ShanmugaratnamINTRODUCTION1.Transforming Society: Leadership, Social Development and Social Change SECTION I. CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2. Sustaining Social Development in the 21st Century 3. Fifty Years of Social Innovation: Reflections on Social Policy in Singapore 4. Government’s Approach towards Social Policies in a Digital Age 5. Social Development in Asia 6. Social Development and Social Research in Africa SECTION II. WORKFORCE AND MIGRATION7. Measuring Transformative Workforce Activation Using the Comprehensive Employment Hope Scale 8. Transforming Thai-Myanmar Borderland: de facto Statelessness, Indigenous Minorities and Internally Displaced Persons 9. Social Work and Social Welfare Preparations for ASEAN Economic Community Integration SECTION III. WELFARE, WOMEN AND SOCIAL CARE10. Toward a Synergy of Tripartite Empowerment for Older Persons 11. Transforming Long-Term Care in Three Chinese Societies 12. Flood Disasters in Malaysia: Psychosocial Care and Social Work Intervention 13. Women in Household Decision-Making and their contribution to Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria SECTION IV. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING14. Social Development in Agrarian and Non-Agrarian Communities in the Philippines 15. Host Organization Perspectives of Volunteer Traits: Implications for Selection and Training 16. Asset Based Community Development (ABCD): An Alternative Path for Community Development 17. Social Work Education for Social Transformation