This course introduces social work students to social welfare and examining the impact of welfare policies on individuals, families, groups, and communities across selected Asian countries. Primary emphasis will be on the history and current development of welfare systems which is influenced by societal values and philosophy in welfare policy formulation in the Peoples Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The impetus of the welfare system namely mutual aid, religion, politics, economy and ideology will be discussed. Planning services and societal development will also be highlighted.