Social Futures of Singapore Society

<!-- <description> -->After celebrating 50 years of independence, Singapore is focused on the question of what the future may bring. The future is neither predetermined nor random. How the chapter turns out will be affected by many economic and social forces, but much will also depend on how Singapore and Singaporeans choose to contribute to it.
Singapore is likely to do well if important unresolved issues can be identified and addressed, especially those that require some mindset changes in individuals, the community and the government. Several questions have become more salient in recent years as Singapore society underwent significant changes. What does the future hold for Singapore society? Can people in Singapore really respect and embrace diversity of views and mindsets for a better society? How can the nation develop a diversity that enhances innovation, addresses issues, maintains social cohesion and contributes to people's well-being? What are some ways to build social-psychological capital in individuals and communities to develop a strong society that is resilient to shocks, failures and unmet expectations? Is it possible to move from a society where the role of government is dominant in many areas to one where individuals and communities step up to co-create whole-of-society solutions?
This book, based on the proceedings at the Behavioural Sciences Institute Conference 2016, explores these and other issues about the social futures of Singapore. The book is organized into four parts. Part I provides an overview of issues involved in thinking about the social futures of Singapore society. Part II examines social futures from the perspectives of healthcare and education. Part III analyses the relationships linking social futures to the notion of giving and the increasing influence of social media. Part IV addresses specific questions on social futures of Singapore society in terms of social and national identities, cultural values, relationship between economic development and environmental sustainability, religious consciousness, perceptions of political leaders, and relationships between people and government.
<!-- </description> -->Contents: Part I:A Resilient Society for a Global Singapore (Arnoud De Meyer)Future Matters (David Chan)Panel Discussion 1 (Arnoud De Meyer & David Chan)Part II:Health and Cohesion Between Generations (Jeremy Lim)Effects of Education on Social Inequality and Cohesion (Irene Ng)Panel Discussion 2 (Jeremy Lim, Irene Ng & Quah Ley Hoon)Part III:The Future of Social Media Impact on Singapore Society (Ang Peng Hwa)Vision of a Giving Nation (Melissa Kwee)Panel Discussion 3 (Ang Peng Hwa, Melissa Kwee & Arun Mahizhnan)Part IV:Closing Panel Discussion: Social Futures of Singapore Society (David Chan, Chan Heng Chee, Lily Kong, Euston Quah & Tommy Koh)<!-- </contents> -->
<!-- <readership> -->Readership: General public, civil servants, NGOs, students and academics interested in social issues, behavioural and life style issues in Singapore and those interested in social futures of Singapore.<!-- </readership> -->
Singapore Society;Social Futures;Futures Thinking;Social ResilienceKey Features:First comprehensive volume to examine the various social and behavioural issues on thinking about the social futures of Singapore society. These issues have continuously received wide public and policy attention both in and outside SingaporeContributed by speakers and panelists who are leaders in their respective areas and they approach the topic by providing an informative review, presenting a state-of-the-art analysis, identifying critical unresolved issues and proposing innovative solutions to the problems identifiedBased on the presentations and panel discussions in the BSI Conference held in February 2016, is written in an active style which will make it highly engaging for the reader