Entry-3203-Sgnub05006 Lky School of Public Policy Donor Handbook Digital r9 Hires
Entry-3203-Sgnub05006 Lky School of Public Policy Donor Handbook Digital r9 Hires
Entry-3203-Sgnub05006 Lky School of Public Policy Donor Handbook Digital r9 Hires
Is Asia Ready to
Lead the World in
The capacity to survive depends upon our
ability to adjust quickly—however painful
the adjustment may be—
Lee Kuan Yew, opening speech of the Trade Union House
and Singapore Conference Hall on 15 October 1965.
different situation
The Asian Chapter Begins
Our World
in 2030
Disruption comes in many forms. The emergence Challenges & Opportunities of 2030
of the Asian century, unrelenting technological
advancements, and overpopulation of urban Globalisation & De-globalisation
spaces are all challenges to our current way of life. The World’s Centre of Gravity is Moving East
They bring radical changes to systems that have
been in place for decades. Some governments will Data & Connectivity
turn these challenges into opportunities for their Working With AI
people to thrive, others will not.1
Public Well-being
As a new world order is debated upon and built Reinventing Healthcare and
around us, we need to better understand how Providing Opportunities for Billions
to navigate the challenges and take advantage
of the opportunities in a rising Asia. Drawing on Urbanisation
Asian and Western experiences and thought, the Mastering Megacities
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP)
represents academic and intellectual excellence in
the service of meaningful public policymaking.
Centre of Gravity
It will hold cultural influence,
economic power and political
sway over the world for the
next 50 to 100 years.3 4
is Moving East
Mass-produced goods will
become more expensive if the
trade war escalates.2
For nearly a century now, small nations have maintained Indeed, de-globalisation is already underway. The United States and China’s drawn-out trade conflict the international community have in the future? What
independence, autonomy and self-determination by Populism is rising as an increasing number of countries has led scholars to speculate if it was a sign of a power can small nations do toward a new order?
operating within an international system of rules and prioritise “nation-first” concerns over international transition and if they were heading towards a “Thucydides
norms created by Western powers. However, that collaboration. 2 3 Communication networks are flooded Trap” military clash.6 As of time of publication, trade The rise of Asia is seemingly unstoppable, with China
rules-based order has weakened—leading nations’ with narratives of East-West tensions. Major powers deals are in the works to reduce tensions between the and India as the world’s largest economies. Small
arbitrary use of power and gradual withdrawal from are reversing decades of multilateral cooperation by two nations.7 nations can help craft the new international system,
the international system signal the potential end of withdrawing from the international rules-based order.5 but the exact steps needed remain to be mapped. The
globalisation and the beginning of de-globalisation. Potential military conflict aside, the global transition way our communities adjust to this new international
from a unipolar American Century to something not yet system will be fraught with risk and working out our
fully formed raises other concerns. What leadership will strategies will take the highest priority.
Data & Connectivity Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots
will soon staff 40% of all jobs in the world.8
Working
With AI
By 2030, self-learning AI will be
used to optimise governance and
judicial ecosystems through law
and policy recommendations.17 18
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robots will soon staff As repetitive tasks are automated and occupations are
40% of all jobs in the world.8 This projection evokes redesigned, innovative technologies could generate
apprehension about humanity’s place in a community
of tireless, mechanised workers. While digitisation
new jobs to supplant those they displace.12 Humans
could learn to cooperate with machine intelligence
US$ 150B
and automation enable corporations to drive rapid through robust education and upskilling programmes.
revenue growth and higher productivity, those that By applying our human knowledge and insight, we China will lead the world through
form the lower rungs of the workforce could be might gainfully use AI to its fullest potential. the development of AI. Its domestic
left without the means to lift themselves above the AI industry alone will be worth an
estimated US$150 billion by 2030.15 16
poverty line and improve their quality of life.8 Technological disruptions offer a multitude of benefits
and trade-offs. Will digitisation and AI further exacerbate
Despite the potential risks, the majority of innovators, the divide between the rich and the poor? How should
leaders, and researchers are hopeful that machines inequality be measured in a world where a powerful
could augment human capabilities.9 Digitisation and few own infinitely expansible technologies? Will
AI technologies are already improving the speed and introducing rigorous governance of digitisation and
accuracy of medical diagnostics and climate change AI improve humanity’s overall well-being, or become a
predictions.10 In the near future, they could help trap for anyone without access to it? What will happen
predict crop yields, track criminal movements, and to the workforce of Asia?
provide tailored retail services.11
Public Well-being
Public well-being is the holistic care for citizens’ quality Finishing second on the Global Competitiveness Index
of life in the areas of finance, housing, employment, of 140 economies, Singapore’s public welfare is one
and mental and physical health. A nation’s productivity, of the most efficient systems in the world.22 Unlike
competitiveness, and prestige are intricately tied to most developed nations, the city-state spends less
the quality of its citizens’ welfare.19 than 5% of its GDP on healthcare, yet its citizens are
relatively healthy.23 24 25 Singapore champions self-
Government spending on public well-being varies reliance through mandatory savings, enabling citizens
drastically across the globe. Low-income countries and permanent residents to finance future medical
spend a meagre US$0.03 for every US$1 spent by expenses, home ownership, and retirement.23 24
high-income nations. The ratio has remained true
since 1995 and could hold true beyond 2030. As a Can Asian countries emulate Singapore’s healthcare
result, people in many parts of the world suffer poor system and realistically adapt it for their own use? Pervasive sensors and Worldwide healthcare
standards of healthcare and are unable to improve What government interventions, policies, and trackers may become expenditure will rocket to
ubiquitous to daily life. People US$16.04 trillion by 2030, up
their living conditions. Without a global organisation processes could best complement a nation’s
may be constantly monitored from US$9.21 trillion in 2014.
mandating cross-border policy interventions, it is healthcare system? in exchange for tailor-made Mounting costs will force
unlikely for low-income nations to improve their treatment and medicine.27 hundreds of millions into
welfare system for the benefit of their own people.20 21 extreme poverty.24 25
Urbanisation The number of
megacities worldwide
will increase by 12 to a
total of 43 by 2030.35 By 2030, 25% of the world
population will be living in
Mastering
slums as urban areas swell
The United Nations (UN) beyond capacity. Sheer
defined megacities as numbers will cripple basic
metropolitan areas public services meant
that house more than to protect and aid its
10 million inhabitants.34 35 citizens.36
Megacities
For the first time in history, more than half of the world’s When it comes to urbanisation, Singapore is a study Singapore’s success story is the work of a master Urban planners and policymakers must take into
population live in urban areas. By 2030, city dwellers of multiple successes. In its first years of newfound planning committee and interdisciplinary contributions account essentials such as the quality of air, water
will make up approximately 5 billion out of 8.1 billion independence, almost three-quarters of its 1.6 from experts of every government department. 32 and transportation when building a city’s overall
people—an increase from 3.4 billion in 2013. 28 29 million-strong population lived in squatter colonies. With its continuous efforts to become a smart city, infrastructure. With more challenges to come, what
The country’s urban planners investigated past Singapore is a living laboratory for the creation of should cities of the future possess to ensure its
Humans gravitate toward urbanity in the hopes of examples of high-rise, high-density public housing in urban technologies that could improve the lives of residents thrive and enjoy fulfilling lives? What
greater job prospects and the chance to achieve a the West and designed policies to overcome pitfalls millions in Asia. 33 should the new urban indicators be for successful
higher quality of life. 30 Unfortunately, many Asian that plagued those projects.32 A mere generation city planning?
cities are unprepared for the influx of rural migrants later, Singapore went from third-world to first, with
due to inadequate planning and investment in housing one of the highest population densities in the world
and welfare. 31 In some nations, the density of cities comfortably housed on limited land.
are matched by the persistent growth of slums. 30
Challenges of the Future
The age of disruption is here, and it requires a strong,
united response to overcome. Our shared journey to 2030 will
be paved with great challenges that leaders around the globe
Age of Disruption
The greatest disruptions of 2030 will occur within Leaders must reconsider traditionally hierarchical
the four areas of focus LKYSPP has identified. policymaking processes and create agile, adaptive
From capitalising on the power shift to the East, systems to interact with the private and civic sectors.
to achieving a gainful relationship with technology, Even as older strategies become obsolete, they open
innovatively revamping global public welfare, and opportunities for novel solutions.
finding ways to make megacities smart and sustainable,
unprecedented opportunity awaits us in the new It is vital for institutions to understand that as the
Asian century. people, cities, and countries they govern change,
so too must public policies. LKYSPP envisions a
In this time of rapid change, governments have to world transformed through good governance,
monitor the impact of existing policies to understand leadership excellence and supported by
issues as they arise. evidence-based policymaking.
Our Big Science Approach Multidisciplinary
Big Science Approach
LKYSPP’s Sputnik
Moment is Here
The Sputnik moment references the point in time
where USSR leapfrogged United States in their space
LKYSPP is situated in the heart of Asia and at the
crossroads between East and West. We are uniquely TO EMPOWER
programme by putting the first functioning satellite positioned to shape the region’s research agenda future policymakers by equipping
into orbit. Consequently, the Americans redoubled to meet various challenges and leverage fresh them with real-world experience
their scientific efforts in the Space Race and landed opportunities. and practical solutions. Through
the first human on the moon. our wealth of resources and
On the international stage, we provide an Asian knowledge, we invest in a new
LKYSPP recognises that a great transition is perspective from Singapore’s development story. generation of successful and
informed Asian leaders.
taking place in the current world order, and with it, Our Big Science approach will require transnational
undisputed disruptions to geopolitical, economic, cooperation. In building Asia’s research and advocacy
technological and social sectors. This is Asia’s capabilities, LKYSPP will be able to make the
Sputnik moment. most of our collaborations with
researchers and practitioners
Drawing on the common challenges presented across the world.
by modern-day governance and Singapore’s
TO CREATE
developmental history, LKYSPP intends to utilise
a concerted “Big Science” effort to further good
governance and public policymaking. TO ADVANCE unique solutions and
cross-border knowledge collective, timely responses
exchange through research for emerging issues by
collaborations. By augmenting engaging thought leaders
the depth and breadth of our in insightful conversations.
academic reservoir, we advance Lending local and regional
future policymaking in Asia. leaders’ credible knowledge
and opinions, we enable
stronger governance and
better policymaking.
Join Us to Create a Positive Impact for Asia
Now is
The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) is The four research centres deliver impactful research
a leading global public policy school in Asia offering to inform and influence public policymaking in
cutting-edge research and education in public policy Singapore and Asia through regular publication in
and international affairs that are tailored to the needs journals, books, opinion editorials and international
of today’s policymakers, civil functionaries, and conferences.
the Time
private and not-for-profit sector professionals.
LKYSPP is committed to equip current and future
The school carries its multidisciplinary focus across generations of policymakers and leaders with
four research centres that study and address a wide innovative state-of-the-art policymaking tools. We
range of public policy challenges in depth. aim to optimise our resources through successful
• Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) advancement in our research, teaching innovations,
• Centre on Asia and Globalisation (CAG) and student scholarships.
• Institute of Policy Studies (IPS)
As forward-looking scholars, we strive to understand Our goal is to raise funds to multiply the effect of our • Institute of Water Policy (IWP)
the power shifts and disruptions across the world and research impact on Asia and the rest of the world, by
explore their geopolitical implications for regional collaborating with experts through multidisciplinary
order in Asia. thinking, policy engagement and education. Your
support will help us accelerate our efforts to create
As transformational educators, we aim to equip greater leadership value, build a stronger base of
policymakers with the ability to mediate growth and research expertise, and guide Asia and the world to
nurture future thought leaders for this exciting time a brighter future through improved governance.
of change.