Welfare Development Policy Issues and Challenges.

WELFARE DEVELOPMENT POLICY Issues and Challenges

M. Fadhil Nurdin, Ph.D

Presented on

International Workshop on Migration and Cohesion in Multi-Ethnic Socities: Irregular Immigration,

Nusantara Heritage and Social Responsibility, CenPRIS-USM, Penang, Malaysia,

26-25 February 2015

Welfare Development Policy:

Issues and Challenges1

Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin

Abstarct

The concept of welfare development policy: issues and Challenges. There are a gap and differences between modern and spiritual concept of welfare development. It was realized that there is "missing link" due to neglecting a spiritual approach which critical for human being. It has been perceived that whether modern or general views of welfare tend to be material oriented. Placing spirituality in the development program could fulfill conventional definition which emphasizes more on physical development. The problems and challenges of development, conceptually in practices needs to focus on balancing between physical and spirituality. There is still optimistic that emphasizing spiritual values in the public administration and services will enhance the performance of the local government.

Keywords: Welfare development policy, physical and spirituality development.

Introduction

What is the Welfare Development Policy?. Welfare and development are the two terms which critically important in the concept of welfare development. Some of social sciencetist argue that welfare concept is the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well being, or prosperity. However, welfare and development is the two common concepts which regularly discussed in the developing countries, including Indonesia.

Conceptually, focus of welfare is aids in the form of money or necessities for those in need; an agency or program through which such aid is distributed; relating to, or concern with welfare and especially with improvement of welfare of disadvantages social groups. It means related to the problems of welfare or utility concept. It is taken to be a primitive concept. As the concept is also used in sociology as a basic concept, the understanding of that concept may be seen as a common task of the social sciences. In the attitude of economics towards utility has always been ambiguous. On the one hand the concept was absolutely needed in order to develop a positive and a normative theory of economic behavior. On the other hand economists felt themselves very uneasy

1_{Presented on International Workshop on Migration and Cohesion in Multi-Ethnic Societies: Irregular}

with the concept as its measurability was doubtful. As such it did not seem to be an operational concept (Samuelson (1947). Thus, that welfare differences between levels are equalized, we have also found a cardinal welfare measure, useful for normative intra- and interpersonal welfare comparisons.

In the philosophy, welfare development concept should be widened to the whole aspects of discussion such as social justice, tolerance, social integration and harmony. In the new global welfare, development and social issues are emerging that requires creative intervention processes such as embraces diversity, partnership and collaborations as well as providing services to different target groups and clients. Building rapport and working closely with other human service professionals and other related disciplines is a critical component to enable social workers to provide the best services to various populations, particularly to the vulnerable groups. The following section will discuss some concepts of welfare development.

The concept of welfare development, in the ontology has a broad meaning. Economic, social and political significance is intended to empowering the weak and less effort in the context of the country. The indicators of well-being on phyisical, social and psychological problems. However, Islam as a religion has resources comprehensive reference in human development. The problem is, wheter the Qur'an and Hadith - can reasonably be accepted as indkator in social sciences? Should a complete indicator and the implications can be considered to be effective for a full restore of change and human well-being?

Nurdin, 2013).

However, those themes important though all are not the focus of welfare development. Instead, in this book discusses the sociological context and consequences of the role of state, education, and all aspets in development, will broadly defined. We used for this discussion to frame these issues in social sciences and sociology a highly appropriate choice, for it calls our attention, quite properly, to issues of social justice, tolerance, social integration and harmony.

Contemporary, in my point of view Social Sciences and Sociology based on philosophy, values and knowledge are socially constructed. However, a related concept is being used to frame many of these sociological issues. Therefore, firstly, I introduce that concept, before turning to the important issues due to can help us to understand more precisely about the sociological context and its consequences to welfare population through development.

The core idea here is very simple: Social networks have value. They have value to the people in the networks-"networking" is demonstrably a good career strategy, for instance. But they also have "externalities," that is, effects on bystanders. Dense social networks in a neighborhood_—barbecues or neighborhood associations or whatever_—can deter crime, for example, even benefiting neighbors who don't go to the barbecues or belong to the association.

Welfare: Principles and Indicators

Conceptually, the meaning of welfare is a life condition has a broad meanings. In Islamic perspective, Barise 85 France (2004), concluding that a coherent worldview based on Tawheed (Islamic monotheism) guide Muslims. However, Pillars of Faith (Iman) and Ritual Practice - as included in most introductory books about Islam, there are six pillars of faith that delineate how a Muslim views existence (belief in God (the Arabic name, Allah; belief in and reverence of the angels as unseen creatures that, unlike humans, never disobey God; belief in ail of the revealed scriptures of God including the original Tawrat (the book revealed to Prophet Moses), and the original Injil (the book revealed to Prophet Jesus); belief in and reverence of all Prophets of God from Adam to Mohammad (peace be upon them), without discriminating among them; belief in the Hereafter when all humans will return back to God for the results of their ieeds in this world; and belief in the human freewill as well as the fact that nothing can happen without God's permission. As well, five pillars of ritual practice regulate Muslim's lives and unify the Muslim community. These five pillars help the Muslim to develop a good and moral existence: Declaration of faith (shahadah), Prayers (Salat), Zakat (self and property purification), Fasting Sawm), and Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) (Abdalati, 1986; Haneef, 1999). The pillars of Islamic faith and ritual practice have important implications for social work with Muslims (See Al-Krenawi & Graham, 2000). The implication on the welfare development and practices, how to develop communities and countries - good situation and harmony.

Further, a specific definition regarding the main topic in relation with welfare development are as below:

Welfare: from material to spiritual context

First of all, generally welfare could be defined as "the state of doing

action tend mobilize a source in order to achieve organization (Dawe, 1978; Drover & Kerans, 1993; Hassard & Denis, 1990; Honneth & Joas, 1988).

Secondly, it attempts to approach welfare from spiritual context. In

Islamic context for instance, the welfare philosophy is refer to the Quran which mentioned in the praying "O..Allah blessed us with kindness (hasanah), both in the world and in the hereafter. Simply, the term of Hasanah could defined as; kindness, welfare, and happiness. In the Christian concept the term is called as welfare based on love, while Hindu's approach as welfare with moral and goodness.

Thirdly, in the modern concept welfare are encompasses

happiness, achievements, personal approach, freedom, healthy, security and descent jobs (Griffin, 1986; Hahnel & Albert, 1990; Simmer, 1992). As general concept welfare consist of happiness parameters which include security, hospitality on human relations among individuals, groups and communities. To meet this objectives require social actions such as resources mobilization, fulfillment of basic needs and social development intervention of the government.

Indicators of welfare

The above definitions demonstrated that there are a gap and differences between modern and spiritual concept of welfare. It indicates that welfare has defined by scholars differently along with their various background and ideology. Of course, the definitions made by scholars were correct and acceptable. Yet, we were realized that there is "missing link" due to neglecting a spiritual approach which critical for human being. It perceived that whether modern or general views of welfare tend to be material oriented. It believed that this is the problem of modern definition and should be revised. Placing spiritual context is critical and this is not dependence on what religion believed has. All religions are having pure and sacred moral views. In this context modern definitions remain problematic due to generate welfare only based on the material views and did not consider spiritual approach. Furthermore, placing this concept is tremendously acceptable with Indonesian national philosophical foundation "Pancasila" especially the first principle "Belief in the divinity of God (Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa)."

Issues of Welfare Development in Indonesia

I am going to start with a brieft story that begin from Indonesia. Since the rise of Indonesian New Order under President Suharto to Joko Widodo leadership, Indonesia has attempted to increase the level of development in various sectors. However, there were some problems emerged especially regarding income gap and disparity between central and provinces development. Despite of the inequality issues, some issues were also rose although development in all sectors smoothly running including human development. Corruptions have mushroomed across the countries, while public services maintain in the low level. It was a message that a comprehensive concept should be addressed to resolve national problems. Welfare development should be implemented in various sectors. Not only in the context of public services but also in the whole national building. Indonesia has many Province along with the huge potential embedded should be transformed into welfare development. It is not easy, yet under cooperation with all stakeholders the welfare development in Indonesian country will becoming reality.

Since the rise of Reformasi in 1998 followed by transformation era, the critical issue is decentralization. Many people expect that decentralization would be resolve development disparity issue between central and local government in Indonesia. However, some problems risen especially corruption and inequality. In fact, along with rapid development, money comes in and manages locally, development still far from so called "welfare development." Perhaps, national income has already increase, yet corruption and crime index still growing up. This is a serious problem due to physically developed, yet mentally destroyed. It should be reconstructed so that development not only focus on material but also must to develop the moral and mental of the people.

transformation should be taking into account in development process. To SBY the equilibrium strategy of role of state implemented by President SBY administration through four strategic of economic policy so-called pro growth, pro job, pro poor, and pro environment (Abdul Hakim MS, 2013). Next, after SBY is Jokowi era, focus on mental revolution. This is important to measure that social transformation is developed by society itself. In this context we should be unsure that transformation is moving towards more positive society. The development of spiritual context is critical to avoid the transformation itself divergence from moral values. It is clearly demonstrate that spirituality totally influence to the social and economic development.

Placing spirituality in the development program could fulfill conventional definition which emphasizes more on physical development. We believe that this is good foundation to the national development. However, in the context of Indonesian development -the innovation only is not enough. Innovation should add with spirituality so that consistent in the moral lines. In line with the question whether skill and knowledge are well constructed? It should be recognized that Indonesia has many well skill and knowledge people, yet poorly managed. This is big problem in Indonesian development. Since decentralization policy was implemented, public administration facing serious problems especially public services management and government fully corrupt. This is heavy job to the regional administration. Nevertheless, we still optimistic by emphasizing spiritual values in the public administration will enhance the performance of the local government.

related many disciplines is a critical component to enable profesionals to provide the best services to various populations, particularly to the vulnerable groups. The following section will discuss some concepts of welfare development.

Welfare Developmental Model: Has Well Constructed ?

In the first part mentioned that welfare development are constructed and closely related to the professionalism. In this context, professionalism should be addressed in two aspects which consist of physical or material and spiritual aspects. To be professional in all aspects a model need to be introduced in order to create a comprehensive concept for welfare development. In the early discussion this essay was emphasized that spirituality will play important role in welfare development concept. Some scholars have been conducted research across the globe regarding the role of spirituality in the national development. Holloway (2007) for instance mentioned that in the USA consistently found that although up to 80 per cent of people think that it is a good idea for physicians to talk to patients about spiritual beliefs, only 10 per cent or fewer say that their physicians have done so with them. Further all considered spiritual well-being to be an important health component, but most reported infrequent discussions of spiritual issues with patients and infrequent referrals of hospitalized patients to chaplains. The same trend were also have occurred Australia and the UK. How about Indonesia ?

1) Human Welfare Model: Dimension and Focus

Source: adopted and modified from Mamap Ismy (2012).

2) Community Development Model

Historically, the idea of community development model is grew, in the west academicians and as the activities of colonial administrators. We can look to the body of overlapping ideas, including community participation, community organization and community work. In this context, that community development is perhaps best used to approaches which use a mix of informal education, collective action and organizational development and focus on cultivating social justice, mutual aid, local networks and communal coherence.

Based on my MA thesis, that people are the subjects and objects of the development process of their own community, and capable of having responsibility for it. In the community development model particularly refers to the approaches or interventions from government agencies and nongovernment organizations with the basic principles although it varies depending on the situation. However, Community development model can illustrated as:

Notes: Al, A2, A3 and An = Government Agencies B1 = Non-government

Organizations

Source: adopted and modified from Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Faktor-faktor Strategik dalam Pembangunan Masyarakat (Mohd. Razali Agus & Fashbir Noor Sidin, Pernbangunan dan Dinamika Masyarakat Malaysia, 2000)

However, in the community development model, urgently, how to grew the initiative of the community itself, the support from community members, community organizations and government. Cooperation is a strategic concept for improving the welfare of society. All these elements determine the achievement of development based on the aspirations of the people.

3) Evaluation Strategic Model

programme implementation important to put a human morality, especially as a priority for service efficient. Assessment strategies are technical-rational, need to be combined with interpretive approach that could produce a more critical approach to the practice of development, especially to facilitate engagement and openness to 'debate' about the practical values, in the form of accuracy up to the implementation of the program (Everitt & Hardiker 1996).

Contextually, as basic sources - welfare development strategic model include and respect the values philosophy, laws and aspirations of users. This system approach can be seen as a new approach in the assessment of development (Posavac & Carey 1985). In practice, this strategic models need to carry out monitoring and research, examine the accuracy programs, as well as oriented to a community decision. The study of all aspects of the values in each phase of development activities in the use of is very important as will give an overview of the tasks assessors should have a moral responsibility to the communities (Stufflebeam & Shinkfield 1985). The focus of welfare development strategic model as in Figure 2:

Figure 3: Evaluation Strategic Model

However, strategic model depicted in the form of the system. The main focus of attention and are used as a basis in assessment strategies are the values of philosophy and the Acts in practice. Assessment or evaluation can be addressed to ideology, accuracy and programs, implementation and execution (bureaucratic and organizational) systems, and the recipient (people). Whatever the form of the changes and developments, the approach in this evaluation strategy still needs to be studied to be adapted to the issues and interests of the target (people), and the subject, practical model that is based on social realities.

Based on developing welfare development model are constructed and closely related to the professionalism. Islam as a source for mercy the entire universe, can be provides guidance on meeting the spiritual, physical, cognitive, psychological and social needs (Barise, 2004). In this context we will introduce and how to use a framework which expected to be applicable to the welfare development model. Secondly, the community development model, urgently, how to grew the initiative of the community itself, the support from community members, community organizations and governmental agencies. Whatever, cooperation is a strategic concept for improving the welfare of society. All these elements determine the achievement of development based on the aspirations of the people, if used as a basis in assessment strategies are the values of philosophy and the Acts in practice.

Conclusion

Many areas in Indonesia could be explored to enhance people's welfare. This is a challenge to the people. Nonetheless, this is a big opportunity to demonstrate that Indonesia is potential and could be develop country. The religiosity of Indonesian Moslems is a primary modal to improve people's welfare in the mid of corruption. Under the spirit of innovation and religiosity, welfared Indonesia will come true.

approaches rooted in the national context issues, but also adjusting mainstream social sciences and sociology to fit the local context. In this book, I write with all collegues focus on filosophy and meanings of welfare development as an attempt to understand and integrate social sciences and sociology discusses related to issues and problem solving practices in Islamic perspective. The last but not less, Sociologist need to be aware of the various challenges that the Moslem community in Indonesia is facing. The Islamic values of family ties, community support, and spiritual-based methods of solving social problems are waning with today's modern life.

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