[Perspectives] The Reality of Navigating Wicked Problems in Public Policy
The Reality of Navigating Wicked Problems in Public Policy
7th November 2023
On November 7, "Perspectives" hosted government officers Mingjing Lim from the Ministry of Finance and Jian Wei Heng from the National Climate Change Secretariat.
Their talk provided a snapshot of Singapore’s approach to environmental goals and healthcare improvements, examining the practicalities and hurdles in adopting complexity science within the civil service. They shared firsthand accounts which shed light on the intricacies of policy-making and the deliberate analysis involved in the government's rapid adaptation to global and local challenges.
We were left with a richer understanding of the path of each policy decision and the process that goes on behind the scenes.
When we discussed about wicked problems in class, it's always on a very macro level and we have to think about it hypothetically. But when the speakers talked to us about some of their concerns and problems faced in the current industries in Singapore, it feels so much nearer to us and made me futher realised that wicked problems can exist on a less macro level too, which truly makes wicked problems wicked in a sense. The guest speakers brought in many insights about their jobs and the current market and industry, which is really quite eye-opening and interesting to find out.
Liu Xin Yi, Cindy
It was interesting to see the things we’ve been talking about in the classroom applied in real life.
Lim Tong Sheng
