The 2nd Raffles Dialogue titled “Human Well-Being and Security in 2030: The Critical Role of Innovation” brought together global scholars and practitioners from 4 to 6 September to analyse areas of concern regarding human well-being and security, particularly for Asia Pacific. The event was organised by NUS and the National University Health System (NUHS).
A key challenge which surfaced at the inaugural Raffles Dialogue in 2015 was the lack of implementation rather than knowledge, noted Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Chief Executive of NUHS and Senior Vice President (Health Affairs) at NUS, in his welcome remarks. “It has become even more important to gather leaders from across academia, government, healthcare, enterprise and the scientific media to better understand the issues confronting us, and explore strategies to address them,” he said. Prof Wong is also Chairman of the 2nd Raffles Dialogue Organising Council.
In his speech as Guest-of-Honour, Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan drove home four key essentials for well-being and security in a rapidly changing global climate — being at the forefront of the evolving digital landscape brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution; anticipating and preparing for future requirements through education and upskilling; greater global cooperation to boost research and innovation that create meaningful societal outcomes; and building a secure and resilient future by strengthening cybersecurity governance.
“It’s actually a wonderful time to be alive because we’re living through a revolution, very few generations have that opportunity to have a ringside seat to a revolution,” said Dr Balakrishnan. “If we can just get the innovations right — not just in technology, but in politics, social policy, education and research — and establish new global norms of behaviour and transaction, then so much is possible and only then can we achieve this concept of human well-being and security by 2030. My point is that it’s possible, but it’s not inevitable.”
