Events

New Insights Lecture

This lecture series introduces 'new insights' on contemporary issues as well as presents the latest thinking and developments in the world of politics, economics, social policy and management. Speakers at the New Insights Lecture include international experts from CGL's Distinguished Visitors Programme.

2008 Lectures

Social Marketing—Influencing and Sustaining Social Change
Dr Ned Roberto
15 October 2008
Behavioural changes amongst the public are often difficult to engineer. They are even more difficult when the benefit to society-at-large outweighs the net benefits to the individual, for example, when it involves issues of public health, environmental protection or public safety. Governments and other social change agents have to grapple with competing behaviours, attitudes, values and social norms as they strive to achieve their goal of influencing behaviour, for the overall benefit of the community. How can policymakers apply Social Marketing principles and techniques in public policy, to nudge citizens towards desired behavioural goals and bring about life-improving changes? See Dr Ned Roberto’s lecture slides

Why the Welfare State Looks like a Free Lunch
Professor Peter H. Lindert
6 May 2008
It is well known among economists and policy makers that high taxes and large social transfers reduce economic growth and productivity—well known, but not always supported by evidence and history. In this lecture, Professor Peter H. Lindert, author of the ground-breaking 2004 book on social spending, Growing Public: Social Spending and Economic Growth since the Eighteenth Century, argued that contrary to popular belief, high tax-based spending on social transfers do not always impose a clear cost on economic performance in terms of GDP. See Lecture Notes

The Economics of Climate Change, a Global Deal and the Role of Asia
(in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources)
Lord Nicholas Stern
10 April 2008
The last few years have seen a deepening understanding of climate change, particularly the risks the world faces from business-as-usual and of the scale of the response required in terms of reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. We can also understand the economic and technological instruments that can support and drive these reductions. Businesses too are becoming clear about what is necessary. This understanding is increasingly reflected in public demand for responsible action and in country after country this is being demonstrated in the political and electoral processes. It is public demand which will promote and sustain action at the individual, community, national and international levels.

The problem of climate change involves a fundamental failure of markets: those who damage others by emitting greenhouse gases generally do not pay. Climate change is a result of the greatest market failure the world has seen. Rich countries must lead the way in taking action to overcome this market failure. That means adopting ambitious emissions reduction targets; encouraging effective market mechanisms; supporting programmes to combat deforestation; promoting rapid technological progress to mitigate the effects of climate change; and honouring their aid commitments to the developing world. See Lecture Notes

Climate Change: What does it mean for Public Policy?
Mr Peter Schwartz
11 January 2008
Mr Peter Schwartz spoke about the wider implications of climate change for policymakers, how the science of climate change could reflect on geopolitical, economic, technological and social impacts and how the growing competition for energy resources played out against a backdrop of rising calls for restrictions on green-house gas emissions. Mr Schwartz also shared his insights on new policy trade-offs and dilemmas, possible technological solutions, and how governments should prepare societies for the hard choices they may be confronted with.

2007 Lectures

Welfare Reform in America: Successes and Limitations
Professor Lawrence M. Mead
22 June 2007, 9.30 am
Professor Lawrence M. Mead is Professor of Politics at New York University, and specifically, a scholar of the politics and implementation of welfare reform in United States. Professor Mead visited Singapore from 21 to 22 Jun as CGL's Distinguished Visitor and delivered a New Insights Lecture on the experience of workfare in America. See Lecture Notes

China's Rise and its Consequences for East Asia and the United States
Professor David M. Lampton
24 May 2007, 3.30 pm
Professor David M. Lampton is George and Sadie Hyman Professor of China Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and Director of Chinese Studies at The Nixon Center. He was in Singapore from 24 to 30 May as CGL's Distinguished Visitor, during which he delivered this New Insights Lecture. Professor Lampton also held other closed-door events, including a full day practitioner's workshop for senior officials, and roundtable discussions with various government agencies. See Lecture Notes

Global Shifts and Megatrends in the Next 25 Years
Mr Peter Schwartz
17 May 2007, 3.30 pm
Peter Schwartz is cofounder and chairman of Global Business Network, a Monitor Group company, and a partner of the Monitor Group, a family of professional services firms devoted to enhancing client competitiveness. An internationally renowned futurist and business strategist, Schwartz specializes in scenario planning, working with corporations, governments, and institutions to create alternative perspectives of the future and develop robust strategies for a changing and uncertain world. See Lecture Notes

2006 Lectures

Professor John L. Esposito
New Insights Lecture: Islam and the West on 19 October 2006
Professor John L. Esposito is Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. He is also Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. See Ethos interview with Professor Esposito.

Mr Martin Wolf
New Insights Lecture: Global Imbalance - Why They Matter on 14 September 2006
Mr Martin Wolf is Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator at The Financial Times, London. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 2000 for services to financial journalism - see Ethos interview on The Globalisation Game with Mr Wolf.

Mr Ronald A. Heifetz
New Insights Lecture: Leading People in Times of Change on 13 July 2006
Mr Ronald A. Heifetz is the King Hussein bin Talal Lecturer in Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Dr Joseph Chamie
New Insights Lecture: Population, Politics and Policy on 15 May 2006
Dr Joseph Chamie was with the United Nation Secretariat for 28 years and served as Director of the Population Division for more than a decade - see Ethos interview on Population and Policy with Dr Chamie

New Insights Lecture: Undoing Harms - The Challenge of Effective Risk Control on 19 January 2006
Professor Malcom K. Sparrow
Professor Malcolm K. Sparrow is Professor of the Practice of Public Management at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Also see Ethos interview on Developing the Craft of Regulation with Professor Sparrow.