Work Programme

Amongst the priority areas that the Centre is working on are the following:

Work focuses on a review of policies that have had major impact – both positive and negative - on national unity. Policies reviewed include those arising from the constitutional agreement during the 50's, education, the New Economic Policy, corporate equity distribution, etc. Arising from the review, appropriate policy interventions will be put forward that can strengthen unity and social cohesion. Special attention will be given to issues related to recent rifts in inter-ethnic relations.

To ensure that the country does not lag behind in the global economy, it is necessary to review Malaysia's international competitiveness, particularly in relation to the rise of China, India and other regional players. Work focuses on constraints and bottlenecks that are standing in the way of more resilient socio-economic growth. Findings were submitted ahead of the Ninth Malaysia Plan submission to ensure that they provided practical guidance to the development planning and implementation machinery.

There is new urgency for educational reform and policy changes that can enable the nation's youth to stay relevant in a globalised economy and rapidly changing world scene. Policy work focuses on scenario building aimed at producing higher performance in tertiary education as well as the examination of issues of public controversy such as the apportionment of scholarships and university admissions. Special attention will be given to the issue of tackling student under-achievement, as well as how to use education as a means of enhancing integration.

Apart from a core of hardcore poor, there are growing numbers of relative poor and new poor, especially visible in urban centres. Work is especially needed to focus on the condition of low-income families – often, the forgotten lot – who lie in between the poor and the middle-class. Better targeted policy innovations are planned from the Centre's programme which will be undertaken in partnership with key NGOs active in social work in depressed and marginalized communities.

Issues of environmental protection and conservation and the need for balanced development to ensure sustainability have moved into the forefront of national and global consciousness. Policy work by the Centre will focus on key areas of sector importance such as the nation's stock of forests and waters and the role that major players in development, especially corporate actors, can play in a sustainable development policy.