ABSTRACT
The economic growth centred in the Asia Pacific region seems to be caught up in the midst of great opportunities and critical challenges such as poverty, inequality, environmental unsustainability and similar issues. To address some of these opportunities and challenges, this chapter suggests drawing on a social development approach. One of the major challenges for social development is convincingly clarifying its concept to interested multidisciplinary professionals and people in general. Despite economic growth and some poverty reduction, many countries in the Asia Pacific region have been experiencing significant income inequality and inequality of opportunity. The Asia Pacific region is experiencing two critical demographic trends relating to the youth and ageing population. Closely linked to balancing economic development and sustainable development is balancing demand and supply for natural resources. The great majority of people in the Asia Pacific region have lived in rural areas and villages. Modern history shows how technological innovations and their adoptions have impacted people and their civilisations.
