Social Transformation in the New Normal: A Reflection

Throughout human history, there has been a great deal of uncertainty, resulting in social changes that persist to this day. The dimensions of this uncertainty have evolved into a complex state, encompassing various aspects, such as global health, which has had significant societal implications in different directions. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the world to pause rapid global mobility, leading to a global social transformation known as the “new normal”. Today, the term “new normal” has become widely recognized as the global recovery and rebuilding journey post-pandemic unfolds. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic being perceived as a setback, society continues to progress with significant shifts and acceleration. From a social transformation perspective, this chapter explores the changes in technology, people development, and policy directions in the EU and ASEAN, particularly focusing on how society responds to and copes with the new normal. By outlining the changes and transformative effects of the new normal, this chapter emphasizes the fundamental essence of the new normal in the current and future outlook.