Case Studies

This case study examines regionalism within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in the context of the region’s largest free trade agreement (FTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP reveals insights on the characteristics of ASEAN-centric Asian regionalism, as opposed to the trans-Pacific approach. It also highlights the myriad challenges of negotiating a comprehensive and modern trade agreement involving members with varying levels of economic development. The case study looks at all these issues and reflects on the prospects of RCEP in addressing some of the critical challenges of modern trade.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/249667

Singapore's “30-by-30” vision aims to safeguard against food security threats and reduce dependence on food imports. Besides initiatives to support local producers to increase supply, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) convened a citizens’ workgroup on increasing demand for local produce in 2020. The workgroup aimed to generate projects and recommendations on increasing support for local produce. This case study explores how the SFA convened the workgroup amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and how the sessions were scoped. It also delves into the various channels utilised by SFA and the workgroup members to involve the general public for ideas and feedback. Lastly, the case study provides reflections from both the organising team and the workgroup participants.

Building consensus and sustaining more progressive work-life harmony practices requires a whole-of-society effort involving employers, employees and society at large. The National Population and Talent Division and the Ministry of Manpower took two different but complementary approaches to engage citizens and stakeholders in Singapore on this issue – the Citizens’ Panel and Singapore Together Alliance for Action.

The National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore’s public agency for greenery, was faced with a challenge – how could green spaces better meet the public’s needs? Extending its Friends of the Parks initiative, NParks took a new engagement approach to developing new and existing parks, and engaged a wider range of stakeholders than before. NParks also roped in the Civil Service College to advise on a more structured design and engagement approach for four parks starting in 2020. In this way, parks would be co-created by the community for the community.

Singapore boasts a long history of national initiatives to promote and maintain racial and religious harmony. Among these is the establishment of Racial and Religious Harmony Circles to create platforms that foster interracial and interfaith understanding at the community level. This case study explores the refresh of the Harmony Circles led by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth to ensure that they remain relevant and effective amidst current and future challenges. It focuses on the refresh workgroup and how the workgroup members were empowered to freely discuss difficult matters and co-create solutions.

The rise of cybercrime in Myanmar, especially after the 2021 military coup, has placed the country in the spotlight as an emerging hub for transnational online scams and gambling operations. This situation has its origins in the Mekong sub-region's history of transnational crime and illicit economic activities within the Golden Triangle area, and was exacerbated first by the pandemic, and then by the political instability in Myanmar after the 2021 coup. The Myanmar military's relations with non-state actors (ethnic armed organizations and border guard forces) further complicate efforts to combat these crimes. ASEAN's response, while aimed at addressing the issue, faces challenges due to political and sovereignty issues. The case study examines the factors that hinder or help effective cooperation both within Myanmar and regionally to tackle the growing transnational cybercrime menace.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/249173

Among non-profit service providers in Singapore’s community care sector, one voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) that specialises in eldercare stood out as a high-growth organisation: St Luke's ElderCare (SLEC). SLEC grew at a remarkable pace in the past decade. But how exactly did SLEC grow? Did its expansion help Singapore’s elderly population? Why pursue growth in the first place? How did it prepare for and manage growth? This case study explores the outstanding growth of SLEC as a private, faith-based charity with substantial government funding, the issues it faced, and how it prepared for and managed its growth journey.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/249112

Russia’s war in Ukraine had a profound impact on Kazakhstan’s most crucial economic sector – the oil industry. Traditionally, Kazakhstan transported 80% of its oil exports to Europe through Russia’s territory. However, the conflict jeopardized the stability of these established export routes. One contributing factor was the European Union’s sanctions against Russia’s oil sector, implemented in June 2022, which also significantly affected Kazakh oil transported through Russia. Another factor was Russia’s strategic use of its pipeline networks as a tool to exert pressure on the Kazakh government. Consequently, disruptions in Kazakh oil exports occurred intermittently throughout 2022 and 2023. In response to these challenges, the Kazakh government is actively seeking alternative oil export routes, with the development of the so-called Middle Corridor emerging as the most viable option. However, the progress of the Middle Corridor faces its own set of obstacles. In this context, what actions can the Kazakh government take to mitigate the adverse consequences of the war on its oil sector?

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy Case Study Series

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/248877