SINGAPORE: Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo
Chee Hean has highlighted two fundamental factors that will shape
the future of countries in Asia, and of Asia as a
whole.
Addressing the Singapore Global Dialogue organised
by the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Mr Teo
said the two factors are demographics and
governance.
On demographics, Mr Teo explained that having a
young population can be a boon or a bane, depending on whether a
country can develop and tap the potential in their youths.
He said: "With the right education and training, youths... can add
dynamism into the workforce, contribute to economic growth and help
to improve not just their own lives, but also the lives of their
families."
But to achieve all these attributes, Mr Teo emphasises the
importance of governance and some attributes that need to be in
place for sustained progress of a country.
He said: "Any government has to draw its legitimacy from serving in
the interest of the people and delivering the goods. It has to keep
corruption in check. Second, it has to ensure a fair distribution
of opportunities and benefits, and take care of minorities. Third,
there should be a system of succession that can take the country
forward beyond one or two generations.
"In the absence of one or more of these attributes, a country will
not be able to sustain its economic and social development in the
long-term."
Mr Teo believes that nations must be prepared to learn from each
other - to find models of governance and economic management that
will enable the countries to grow sustainably.
He said: "We must also find models for international cooperation
that recognise the realities of a new multi-polar world. We must
strengthen institutions that can facilitate such cooperation -
maintaining peace and security, and promoting economic and human
development."
The annual Singapore Global Dialogue brings over 400 participants
including leading policymakers and opinion formers from across
Asia, North America, Europe and Africa to exchange views on global
and regional developments.
-CNA/ac
