• Asia requires unique tri-sector partnerships to tackle wicked problems  
• Global cooperative approach and ownership of actions needed
• Embrace and be prepared for change

How can we work on wicked problems that involve many stakeholders and dimensions, when the net effects are hard to measure? How do we plan for the future if we do not have a common goal, or worse, cannot agree on the problems? These were some key questions discussed and addressed at the second Tri-Sector Forum held at Singapore Management University (SMU) on 28 April 2016, organised by SMU’s Master of Tri-Sector Collaboration (MTSC) and School of Social Sciences (SOSS).

On top of complex issues faced by the world today, Asia has unique scenarios and challenges that require different joint solutions and tri-sector partnerships, said Professor Ann Florini, Academic Director of SMU MTSC and Professor of Public Policy with SMU SOSS. Collaboration amongst the sectors enables us to tap on our diversity, adopt more inclusive perspectives, and reframe problems as opportunities.

[Photo: Prof Ann Florini, Academic Director of SMU MTSC and Professor of Public Policy with SMU SOSS, in setting the Forum’s framework, said that Asia’s unique challenges require different tri-sector partnerships from global and western models.]

Among the key themes discussed were tackling climate change, greening the financial sector, fostering food security in Asia, and addressing the challenges of an aging society. The Forum centred on how to better leverage cross-sector partnerships so that it can become a core engine of change.

The 200-strong audience heard from a long list of distinguished speakers.

[Photo: In the welcome remarks, Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director of Centre for Liveable Cities and Advisory Group Member of SMU MTSC, said that complex challenges are inherent in the development of sustainable cities.]

Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director of Centre for Liveable Cities and Advisory Group Member of SMU MTSC, said in the welcome remarks that complex challenges are inherent in the development of sustainable cities.

However, this also presents the opportunity for the government, private sector and civil society to work together. Mr Khoo cited the example of water governance in Singapore to highlight the importance of tri-sector collaboration in overcoming wicked urban problems.   

[Photo: Ambassador Kwok Fook Seng, Singapore’s Chief Negotiator of Climate Change at the keynote address.]

In the keynote address, Ambassador Kwok Fook Seng, Singapore’s Chief Negotiator of Climate Change, illustrated cross-sector collaboration with the example of the landmark Paris Agreement governing global climate action that was signed in New York on 22 April 2016, just days before the Forum.

Highlighting that such unity of purpose on the global stage is rare, he said that this Agreement helped restore faith in multilateralism and proved that even the global inter-governmental process can innovate and adapt to an unconventional methodology. However, from another perspective, there was no alternative – global problems such as climate change require global and universal actions for durable solutions.

The Agreement demonstrates the international cooperative approach that is needed to solve complex problems such as climate change. The responsibilities lie with every individual and every organisation – not just on governments – because we all have a stake in climate safety. Taking long-term views and bottom-up, inclusive approaches instead of external prescriptions would help us find universal, comprehensive, and lasting solutions.

[Photo (left to right): The panel on “Aligning the Financial System with Sustainable Development” comprised Prof Simon Tay, Chairman of Singapore Institute of International Affairs and Ms Yeo Lian Sim, Special Adviser of Singapore Exchange. It was moderated by Dr Simon Zadek, Visiting Faculty at SMU MTSC and SOSS, who is also Co-Director of UNEP Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System, Lead of the UNEP Secretariat for the G20 Green Finance Study Group, and the newly appointed DSM Senior Fellow in Partnership and Sustainability of SMU.]

The panel on “Aligning the Financial System with Sustainable Development” delved into issues related to sustainable development’s impact on the financial and capital markets. They discussed changes to financial systems that are needed in building green economies. The financial market is a keystone sector that influences outcomes of every sector.

Mr Marcel Wubbolts, Chief Technology Officer of DSM, presented the business case for sustainability at a feature presentation. The global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials creates solutions that generate positive social impact and profitable business.

[Photo: Mr Marcel Wubbolts, Chief Technology Officer of DSM, at the feature presentation sharing the business case for sustainability with DSM’s examples].

[Photo (left to right): The “Food Security in Asia” panel comprised Ms Gwyneth Fries, Senior Sustainability Advisor of Forum for the Future, Ms Jenny Costelloe, Director of Country Partnerships of Grow Asia, and Mr Marcel Wubbolts, Chief Technology Officer of DSM.  It was moderated by Dr Roland Kupers, Visiting Faculty at SMU MTSC and SOSS, who is also an Associate Fellow at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University, and Independent Consultant of Complexity, Resilience and Energy Transition. He was formerly Vice President LNG of Royal Dutch Shell.]

The “Food Security in Asia” panel explored multi-stakeholders’ partnerships and challenges linked to food production, hunger, malnutrition and obesity. The panellists highlighted several issues such as the business and consumer definitions of food security being vastly different in the first place.

Postgraduate students from the 2015-2016 MTSC cohort also showcased two presentations on their projects entitled “Ageing – an Opportunity or Adversity” and “Singapore – a Force for Change in Southeast Asian Fisheries”. The earlier looked at designing relief-and-care services for the aged and ageing caregivers, while the latter provided insights into transforming the health and productivity of regional fisheries. Both highlighted the issues and how tri-sector partnership can catalyse changes and innovation.

The students remarked that SMU is a neutral and natural convener for discussing tri-sector issues and forging partnerships.

[Photo: Ms Khee Shihui, an MTSC postgraduate student, presenting one of the two group projects on “Singapore – a Force for Change in Southeast Asian Fisheries”.]

In the final session on “Collaborative Governance for Complex Systems”, Mr Peter Ho, Senior Advisor of Centre for Strategic Futures, Senior Fellow of Civil Service College, and Chairman of Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, remarked in conclusion that thinking longer term is critical in order to plan for uncertain future outcomes and to drive better decisions.

[Photo (left to right): The closing panel session on “Collaborative Governance for Complex Systems” with Mr Peter Ho, Senior Advisor of Centre for Strategic Futures, Senior Fellow of Civil Service College, and Chairman of Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, joined by Dr Kupers and Prof Florini.]

At the Forum, DSM and SMU announced a partnership to advance tri-sector collaborations for sustainability in Asia, establishing a DSM Senior Fellow in Partnership and Sustainability at SMU with a S$200,000 grant. Dr Zadek is the appointed DSM Senior Fellow.

The Tri-Sector Forum brings together leaders from the government, businesses and civil society organisations to discuss the crucial role of cross-sector collaboration in addressing Asia’s complex challenges. For more information, please visit http://socsc.smu.edu.sg/master-tri-sector-collaboration/tri-sector-forum

[Photo: The 2015-2016 MTSC postgraduate students with SMU faculty.]