100YLA Online Conversation Series: Government Policy and Social Safety Nets

Zoom Webinar

100 Year Lives in Asia (100YLA)

Life expectancy in Asia has increased significantly from 1955 to 2020. In many Asian societies, centenarians are still celebrated, but they are no longer a rarity. Society and government policies have not been designed around the expectation that people will live to 100. Education, career, family, financial security and many other topics will be explored in the 100YLA series to address the many changing needs people and their families have as they prepare to live longer lives.

COVID-19 has brought many consequences for young and old within their communities. The 100YLA series will discuss 100 year lives in the context of a world facing a COVID-19 future.

Kathleen Cagney, Professor of Sociology of the University of Chicago, will invite experts from Asia and the U.S. to discuss the phenomenon, implications, challenges and opportunities for an aging population in Asia.

Episode 6: Government Policy and Social Safety Nets

Kathleen Cagney, Ph.D. is joined by Joelle Fong, Ph.D., Harold Pollack, Ph.D., and Vipan Prachuabmoh, Ph.D. to discuss the challenges governments face as declining population rates reveal vulnerabilities in government policy and social safety nets. Professor Fung launches the conversation with an overview of the existing social safety structures in Singapore. She describes risks faced by the elderly in Singapore and policies passed in response to these. Professor Pollack continues the discussion by exploring the progress the US has made in supporting those with intellectual and physical disabilities. He acknowledges, however, that this progress has been uneven, and he emphasizes challenges posed by a shortage of caregivers and the persisting stigma against certain disabilities. Professor Prachuabmoh follows by examining aging populations and a recent history of social safety schemes within Thailand. She delves into Thailand’s policy responses to aging populations and explores their prioritization of human capital development and lifelong learning through their social safety programs. Finally, our experts come together to broaden the conversation about social safety nets to COVID-19 and beyond.

Check out all 100YLA episodes HERE!

Speakers:

• Professor Kathleen Cagney
  Chair of 100 Year Lives in Asia
  Professor of Sociology and the College
  The University of Chicago
• Professor Joelle Fong
  Assistant Professor
  Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
  National University of Singapore
• Professor Harold Pollack
  Helen Ross Professor
  School of Social Service Administration
  The University of Chicago
• Professor Vipan Prachuabmoh
  Associate Professor
  College of Population Studies
  Chulalongkorn University