Agenda

Grand debate on emerging welfare models from the East and the West

Abstract:
Welfare models of nations have evolved based on their unique economic, social, and political contexts. Following the Second World War, Western Europe is seen to have taken equality at its core and anchored on the state to drive income redistribution and welfare. However, many emerging nations have largely relied on civil society and social investment to drive fairness.

East Asian policies are yet linked to another model in which welfare is closely linked with productive activities and considers economic growth to be paramount. As the world re-thinks its priorities today, these models must be rehearsed and debated.

In this session, Former Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva, Nobel Laureate Professor Abhijit Banerjee, and Professor Justin Yifu Lin will draw on their rich experiences to help us re-imagine how welfare models could be deployed going forward and identify the models where philanthropy takes centre stage.