New handbook puts focus on poverty

On March 17, SMU’s Lien Centre for Social Innovation launched a handbook on poverty in Singapore. The handbook is a compilation of research and policy ideas on poverty issues raised over the years by 30 experts and academics, and aims to equip more Singaporeans with the knowledge to understand and debate these issues. In a panellists’ discussion this week on poverty and issues of inequality, Lien Foundation chairman Laurence Lien noted that studies on the mental burden financial stress places on the poor have been done in countries such as the United States and India, but not in Singapore. He said: “The debate on poverty is not just about experts deciding what poverty thresholds are. Citizens also need to participate. This is the start of conversations on what else needs to be done.” The handbook will soon be available for download from www.lcsi.smu.edu.sg.