Empathy Series 2020 - NUS & Beyond Social Services - CANCEL




SBF Foundation Empathy Series 2020

Taking place last Friday of every month from Feb 2020.  
You will learn about disabilities, the strengths of people in need or what it takes to create kindness culture in the workplace and others. 


Overview 

Poverty and Low Wage Work: How can SMEs Play a Role?
Low wage work in industrialized economies is increasingly at risk. Set in the context of rising worldwide income inequality and high inequality in Singapore, this presentation discusses Singapore's labour market trends and policies in international context. The presenter will then engage participants to discuss the roles they and their businesses can play in addressing the highlighted vulnerabilities.

Understanding the Strength of the Community and People in Need
Many have overcome serious challenges that life has thrown at them. These people often express gratitude and even pride for their ability in doing so. They would resonate with Friedrich Nietzsche’s opinion that, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”  This narrative that the strong will overcome has unwittingly reinforced its flip side that the weak will continue to be fraught with problems.  Hence, the rallying calls for a more compassion and fair society often appeal to the “haves” to give to the “have-nots” or basically for the strong to help the weak.

In this light, strength and weaknesses are understood to lie in the individual and when one is continually fraught with problems, one is seen to be dependent and not self-reliant.  Hence, social services case-manage these individuals, link them to resources and provide counselling to get them back on their feet.  

However, despite best intentions and efforts of professionals and volunteers alike, positive outcomes are far and between.  It appears that those who utilize social services are too weak to help themselves or to overcome their challenges. Is this really true?
This session will be an interactive experience in appreciating the strengths within people and the weakness in our narratives and systems that deny them.

 

Speaker's Profile

Ms Irene Y.H. Ng
Irene Y.H. Ng is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of the Social Service Research Center in the National University of Singapore. She holds a joint PhD in Social Work and Economics from the University of Michigan. Her research areas include poverty and inequality, inter-generational mobility, youth crime, and social welfare policy. Her research projects include an evaluation of a national Work Support program; National Youth Surveys 2010, 2013 and 2017; a study of low-income households with debt; and an evaluation of Social Service Offices. She is active in the community, serving or having served in committees in the Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service, Ministry of Manpower, and various voluntary welfare organizations. Her teaching areas include poverty, policy, welfare economics, youth work, and program planning.

Mr Gerald EE

Gerard EE spearheads Beyond Social Services, which rallies different segments of our society to look at our social challenges, especially those in Singapore’s public rental housing estates. Beyond Social Services facilitates community-building in low-income neighborhoods, creating a nurturing environment for children and youth to grow into confident, caring people who can pursue their aspirations and give to their community. After 37 years of service as a youth worker, family therapist and community-builder, he   firmly believes that social work is not simply about problem-solving but is a peace-building process that engages people to be a little kinder, fairer and more cooperative.



For more information, please contact [email protected]



When
3/27/2020 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where
Singapore Business Federation 160 Robinson Road #06-01 SBF Center 068914

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