Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat, who delivered the opening address at the launch of the book 50 Years of Social Issues in Singapore, said that its editor SMU Behavioural Sciences Institute Director Professor David Chan put forth the need to analyse social issues in a rigorous and principled manner. This is done by analysing issues based on evidence, while being rooted in values and looking to the future. Another book launched at the event was People Matter, a series of essays by Professor Chan on local socio-economic and political issues.