Shifting Spaces of Hope and Power: Facing Increasing Inequality and Crisis in Asia

For the past two decades, the Asian region has experienced rapid economic growth.  While countries like China, India and Thailand have reported double digit growth rates in their economies, the region has experienced increasing poverty and inequality.  Complicating this contradiction is the egion's high score in the Global Risk of Hotspots for Disasters (2013 Global Risk Index).  This paper will discuss the region's challenges and responses to this multi-dimensional crisis, highlighting the varying contexts of inequality among countries in the region and their social innovations.