23rd NGS Theme: “Social and Economic Transformation in Asia Pacific”
Globalization, modernization and rapid economic development have brought profound social transformation in the Asia Pacific region. In the last half decade, millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, millions have moved from farms and villages to urban areas, and millions have entered the middle class. With this development has come complex social change that challenges traditional values and societal structures and which has significant implications for policymakers. Changes in family structures, living arrangements, gender roles, and the nature of work affect some of the largest and most complex areas of public policy such as education, social security and pension systems, health care and housing. Increasing diversity and complexity bring opportunities, but also uncertainty about the future which can lead to social ills as well as rising nationalism. Leaders must find ways to lead through these difficult and complex changes that challenge people’s individual and societal sense of identity and affect the roles of government, civil society, family and other institutions.