Concept Note
Social Sustainability in ASEAN+3: The Challenges of Inclusive Growth
The important of inclusive growth has become a significant part of emerging consensus on
recent development discourse, as many countries have experienced economic growth process
without significant improvement in income equality, poverty alleviation, and other socioeconomic shortcomings.
Economic development is necessary for the improvement of quality of people’s life in every
country. However, for economic development to be more equitable and sustainable, theprocess should be accompanied by the development of social sustainability.
There is an emerging consensus that policy makers need to be more committed in addressing
problems related to social sustainability. Economic growth does not automatically translate into
improved social sustainability. Good and sound policy, cooperation of non-government sectors,
and community and people engagement are also needed.
ASEAN+3 countries are at different stages of development with varying development needs andpriorities. The different stages of development among ASEAN+3 countries create different
challenges related to the development of social sustainability and the resources available toaddress the issue.
For example, in East Asia, Japan and South Korea have clearly achieved very impressive
economic development so that they have now reached the high-income economy anddeveloped society status. But with emerging problems like ageing population, they too need tomake their future economic growth more inclusive. For some low-income ASEAN countries,
they are still at the stage of struggling with their primary objective of maximizing economic
growth in order to provide the material basis for poverty reduction. Other middle-income
ASEAN countries have achieved remarkable economic growth; but they still have to fulfill theirother development needs, including reducing their high income inequalities.
Despite the differing conditions in each ASEAN+3 country, it was observed that the policies andmeasures to address social sustainability in the context of inclusive growth ought to involve awhole-of-a-government or a comprehensive approach that cuts across the economic, social andpolitical dimensions. The commitment is on each ASEAN+3 country to find the right mix ofthese dimensions in line with its local conditions before they could embark on the policy
enhancement to maintaining and strengthening social sustainability as new ground of regional
cooperation.

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In consideration of the abovementioned preamble, student participants may consider some of
the following challenges in preparation for the ‘essay’ for the Young Speakers’ Contest and‘policy paper’ and ‘country position’ for the Educational Forum that will lead to the ‘Youth Joint
Statement’ as result of the event:On the economic front: How to ensure continued economic growth and at the sametime help citizens obtain a fair share of economic pie? Sustaining economic growthwould require constant upgrading and restructuring of the economy through ways suchas promoting higher skills, encouraging innovation, raising productivity and improving
infrastructure. At the same time, the government should to also introduce various
schemes and incentive to help as many businesses to retain a presence in theirrespective countries. Assistance should also be rendered to assist citizens who may bedisplaced find new jobs.

On the social front: How to develop a more inclusive society? This includes an access toquality education, better healthcare, affordable housing for elderly and vulnerable
group, and tenacious social mobility in each generation, as well as prevention of apermanent underclass from forming in each society.

On the political front: There is a need to ensure that the existing political system in theASEAN+3 countries provides sufficient avenues for its citizens to give feedback on
policies as well as allow them to express their concerns and more importantly toparticipate in any social sustainability related issues.

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