The concept of social inclusion stresses the causes, experiences and consequences of persistent, overlapping disadvantages. Social inclusion envisions the opposite of a socially exclusive society. In this vision, people are able to take part in social activities that are considered customary in that time and place; they have capacity for economic production and consumption; they also get to shape the decisions that directly affect them.

In recent months, the Singapore government announced plans to develop new public housing in prime locations, introduce workplace anti-discrimination laws and expand the Progressive Wage Model to more sectors and occupations. These initiatives fall in several critical domains of social policy – housing, income and work. Can they pave the way to a more inclusive society? Ng Kok Hoe (LKYSPP) and Shailey Hingorani (AWARE) discuss these questions in a conversation on social inclusion, research and advocacy.