Negotiating Challenges

Abstract

This is a thought paper reflecting on the issues that give rise to prominent concerns in social development in Asia. However, the linkages between local concerns in Asia and global concerns are inevitable. Some examples from Asian countries are used as illustrations. The author's conclusion is that social development involves more than government initiatives, social philanthropy, and professional social work. Social work's involvement in social development also includes helping to galvanize the participation of beneficiaries of social development at the local level and to engage the political will of policymakers and the business community in the global platform.

Key words:

• social development
• Asia
• beneficiary participation
• social work