ORGANIZERS CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Centre of Social Policy The Risk Society and Policy Research Centre, National Taiwan University Department of Social Work, CUHK Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University CO-ORGANIZERS Chung Chi College, CUHK School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto School of Social Work, University of Southern California Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales SPONSORS Faculty of Social Science, CUHK Chung Chi College, CUHK New Asia College, CUHK United College, CUHK Taiwan Start Up Fund, CUHK 28-30 May 2014 LT2, Yasumoto International Academic Park, CUHK 1
Content ………………………………………………………………… 3Forward ………………………………………………………………… 4Rundown ………………………………………………………………… 12 ………………………………………………………………… 21Keynote speeches ………………………………………………………………… 26Special Sessions ………………………………………………………………… 32Theme 1: Social Work Practice and Social Work ………………………………………………………………… 37Education ………………………………………………………………… 41Theme 2: Social Welfare, ………………………………………………………………… 46Social Policy and Social Development Postgraduate Students Session Organizers and Sponsors Organizing Committee 2
ForwardOn behalf of CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Centre of Social Policy, I welcome you all to The Chinese University of Hong Kong and to the International Conference on Social Work, Social Welfare and Social Policy in Chinese Societies: Cross Cultural Experiences. The Conference aims at providing scholars all over the world with a platform to share research outputs for generation of knowledge in social welfare, social policy, and social work education and practice in Chinese societies worldwide. In so doing, I am confident that the Conference will serve as an important platform to gather invaluable research findings from the scholars across the globe and contribute to developing knowledge on the fields of Social Work Practice and Social Work Education and Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Development. It is my wish that every one of you could share research expertise and experiences with other participants so that you can bring home new ideas at the end of the Conference. I hope you enjoy this Conference. Professor Ngai Sek‐yum, Steven Director of CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Centre of Social Policy 3
Rundown 12:45-13:00 ġ 13:00-13:15 28 May 2014 13:15-14:15 14:15-15:15 A half-day Social Work Pre-Conference Gerontology Workshop4 Registration Welcoming Remark: Professor Evaon Wong-Kim (Chairperson of Department of Social Work, California State University, East Bay) Professor Joyce L.C. Ma (Chairperson of Department of Social Work, CUHK) Setting the stage: Preparation for Population Ageing: A Human Capital Perspective Dr. Ada Mui (School of Social Work, Columbia University) Dr. Jean Woo (Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, CUHK) Leadership Academy in Aging Cohort 5 Presentations: Dr. Kathleen Pottick (School of Social Work, Rutgers University) Dr. Cheryl Waites (School of Social Work, Wayne State University) International Aging Scholars: Intergenerational Social Support and Health Outcome of the Elderly Dr. Xiaoting Liu (Department of Social Security and Risk Management, Zhejiang University) 15:15-16:30 Economic Development, Marketization and Health in Late Life: Evidence From a National Longitudinal Study of Chinese Older Adults Dr. Jiaan Zhang (Department of Social Work, CUHK) 16:30-17:00 Delivery Model of Care of the Older People in Zhuhai Dr. Johnston Wong (BNU-HKBU United International College) Facilitated Discussion: Dr. Scott Geron (School of Social Work, Boston University) Dr. Kim Geron (Department of Political Science, California State University, East Bay) 4
4 8:45-9:00 29 May 20145 9:00-9:15 Registration 9:15-9:30 Opening Ceremony by 9:30-10:30 Professor Fanny M.C. Cheung (Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, CUHK) 10:30-10:40 10:40-11:40 Professor Paul S.N. Lee (Dean of Faculty of Social Science, CUHK) Professor Joyce L.C. Ma (Chairperson of Department of Social Work, CUHK) 11:40-11:50 11:50-12:50 Photo-taking 12:50-14:15 Theme 1: Social Work Practice and Social Work Education 14:15-15:15 Keynote speech: What’s the Use of Social Work Research? Prof. John Carpenter (School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol) Discussant: Prof. Chen Ji-kang Break Keynote speech: Opportunities and Challenges for Social Work in the Post-Professional Era Prof. Tsang Ka-tat (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto) Discussant: To Siu-ming Break Keynote speech: Cross-border Professional Supervision in Social Work: Shandong Experience Prof. Joyce L.C. Ma & Mrs. Monica L.T. Yau-Ng (Department of Social Work, CUHK) Discussant: Prof. Wu Qiaobing Lunch Keynote speech: An Argument and Strategies for Valuing the Art as well as the Science of Social Work Practice 5
Prof. Nick Coady (Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University) 15:15-15:25 Discussant: Prof. Leung Tse-fong Terry 15:25-16:25 Break Keynote speech: Issues and Challenges of Social Work Online Education Prof. Iris Chi (School of Social Work, University of Southern California) Discussant: Prof. Wong Yu-cheung 16:25-16:35 Break Venue Parallel Session Moderator LT2 LT3 LT4 LT7 16:35-17:00 Dr. Lau Yuk-king Prof. Xu Ying “Regain Momentum” Prof. Zhou Huiquan Prof. Zhang Jiaan *Service Assistance in 17:00-17:25 Animal-Assisted Therapy Poverty Reduction: Based64 Mentorship Program A Study of Care Needs *Community Social on Needs Survey of Poor Mr. Ng Yan-ho Henry among Families in Work Practice against Families in Chengdu City (Chinese Evangelical Zion Prof. He Mingjie Church Social Service Shanghai–A Perspective of Community Decay: An (Department of Sociology and Psychology, Division) Family Cycle Experiment of Village Sichuan University) When Teens Meet Angels Prof. Chen Honglin Re-construction Done *Oral History of (Department of Social by Guangdong Social Work, Work Association for Fudan University) Advancement of Rural- urban Sustainability Prof. Zhang Heqing (Department of Sociology and Social Work, Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen University) Coping Behavior of Chinese *From Unfamiliarity to 6
4 - Experience and Male Victims of Intimate Familiarity: The Disadvantaged Adolescents7 Challenge in Working Partner Violence (IPV) Dialogues between and Social Work Prof. Simon Chan T.M. Social Work Practices Intervention – 17:25-17:50 with Teen Parents (Department of Social Ms. Cheng Wai-hing& Work, in Kingmen and A Study in H District, Hong Kong Baptist Xiamen Beijing Mr. Lau Kit-wai University) (Evangelical Lutheran Ms. Yang Hui-chen Prof. Ren Guoying Church Social Service- Mr. Wallace Tsang W.H. (Department of Social (Department of Sociology, (Department of Applied Science, National Open Minzu University of China) Hong Kong) Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University) University) *Social Risk for Autism An Exploratory Study on Children and its Strategy of the Insomnia Treatment A Pathway to Break *Elder Cultural through the Barrier of Construction in the Intervention in Coastal Group for Elderly Family Background: Context of Social Developed Areas: Prof. Leung Yuk-ki Timothy A Comparative Research on Faculty Social Mobility Change A Case Study of Hangzhou (Department of Social in China and the United Prof. Chen Youhua in China Work,CUHK) (Department of Social States Work & Social Policy, Prof. Fang Wei Ms. Sin Fung-yeeSally Prof. Lin Zeng Nanjing University) (College of Public (Elderly Service of (Department of Sociology, Administration, Wuhan University) Zhejiang University of Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service ȸ Technology) Hong Kong) 17:50-18:15 Ms. Cheung Man-sze Parameters in Formulating *Exploration of Social *Community (Department of Social Universal Pension System Organization Reorganization: New Path, Work,CUHK) in Hong Kong: The Cultivation Path under Old Way? Multiple Family Group Therapy for Families with Children Placed in Out-of- 7
HomeCareinHongKong PossibilityofDevelopinga thePerspectiveof Prof.SuiYujie Ms.MoolyWong SustainableandAffordable EcologicalSystems—— (DepartmentofSocial (DepartmentofSocial System IntheCaseofW Work, Work,CUHK) Prof.WongYuͲcheung TownofMDistrictin RenminUniversityofChina) (DepartmentofSocial Shanghai Work,CUHK) Prof.HanXiaoyan& Mrs.LondyLeung (S.K.H.St.Christopher’s Prof.WangHaiping Home) (DepartmentofSocial Work,SchoolofSocial Development,East ChinaNormal University) 18:15Ͳ18:35 Discussion 18:35Ͳ20:00 Dinner 30May2014 8:45Ͳ9:00 Registration 48 9:00Ͳ10:00 10:00Ͳ10:15 10:15Ͳ11:15 Theme2:SocialWelfare,SocialPolicyandSocialDevelopment Keynotespeech: ResearchingSocialPolicy:Scope,PitfallsandOpportunities Prof.PeterSaunders (SocialPolicyResearchCentre,UniversityofNewSouthWales) Discussant:Prof.WongHung Break Keynotespeech: Achievements,ChallengesandPolicyDisputes– China’sSocialPolicyDevelopmentintheBackgroundofNewSocioeconomicTransition Prof.GuanXinping (DepartmentofSocialWorkandSocialPolicy,NankaiUniversity) Discussant:Prof.DaiHaijing 8
11:15Ͳ11:30 Break Venue ParallelSession LT2 LT3 LT4 LT7 Moderator Mrs.YauNgLaiͲyuen Mr.ChanKarͲchoi Prof.LeungYukͲki Mr.TangWaiͲhung 11:30Ͳ11:55 Monica Timothy *AnExploratoryStudyon TransportationSurveyof HowtoEradicate *HowWomen'sSocial 11:55Ͳ12:20 Fathers’UseofPaid TaiwaneseElders PovertyinHongKong? StatusImpactsontheir Prof.YangPeiͲshan FamilyStatusinChina 12:20Ͳ12:30 ParentalLeaveinTaiwan Commentonthe 12:30Ͳ14:00 Ms.LiTingͲhsin& (RiskSocietyandPolicy PovertyAlleviation Prof.WuFan 14:00Ͳ15:00 ResearchCenter,National (DepartmentofSocialWork Prof.WangShuͲyung Policiesofthe (DepartmentofSocial TaiwanUniversity) Commissionon &SocialPolicy,Nankai Welfare, Poverty University) NationalChungCheng Prof.WongHung (DepartmentofSocial University) Work,CUHK) *TheElectronicͲMediated TheFeasibilityandthe CouplesGroupsfor *TheExploreandPractice 4 PartnersHaving ofPsychologicalSupport9 ModelofIntegrationof TerminalCancer:An Environmental RestrictionofApplying ExploratoryStudy SocialResources—— Participationandthe MiniͲCogtoScreenChinese Prof.LeungYukͲki LushanEarthquakeasan DevelopmentofPublic EldersforCognitive SphereinChina: Impairment Timothy Example ImplicationsforNonͲ Mr.ChanKarͲchoi (DepartmentofSocial Mr.WuKankan profitOrganizations (DepartmentofSocial (InstituteofPsychology, Prof.XuYing Work,CUHK) Work,CUHK) ChineseAcademyof (DepartmentofSocial Work,CUHK) Sciences) Ms.AmyYan (HongKongCancer Fund) Discussion Lunch Keynotespeech: GenderEquality,FamilyPolicyandWelfareStateͲͲTheDeterminantsofChildbearingBehavior? 9
Prof.WangLihͲrongLillian (SocialScienceCollege,NationalTaiwanUniversity) 15:00Ͳ15:15 15:15Ͳ16:15 Discussant:Prof.WuFan 16:15Ͳ16:30 Break Venue Keynotespeech: Moderator TransitionalOutcomesandTheirBarriersandFacilitatorsamongEconomicallyDisadvantagedYouths Prof.NgaiSekͲyumSteven 16:30Ͳ16:55 (DepartmentofSocialWork,CUHK) 16:55Ͳ17:20 17:20Ͳ17:45 Discussant:Prof.ChouKueiͲtien Break ParallelSession LT2 LT3 LT4 Ms.CheungManͲsze Ms.NgWaiͲchingIrene Ms.HoWaiͲmingHannah 4 *ExperienceSharingon OvercomingProfessionalBurnout CompetencyͲbasedTrainingonSocial10 GroupWorkPracticeProjectinJinan: JinjiangSocialGovernance ThroughBuddhistPhilosophy:APilot AnExploratoryStudy andtheIncubationand Study Prof.LeungYukͲkiTimothy& DevelopmentofSocial Ms.ChengFungͲkei Organizations (DepartmentofSocialWorkand Mrs.MonicaL.T.YauͲNg Ms.WeiYuguang SocialAdministration, (DepartmentofSocialWork,CUHK) (ChengduJinjiangDistrict TheUniversityofHongKong) Parents’SESandChildren’sAcademic SocialOrganization DevelopmentFoundation) PerformanceinUrbanChina *ParentͲChildCentre:ANew SexualDysfunctionsinMarriage:The Ms.WangTingyan PracticeforSupportingChildͲ Couples’PerspectivesinHongKong rearingParentsinTaipei Dr.KwanKaͲwing,Kevin (DepartmentofSocialWork&Social Ms.DOUTszͲrung (DepartmentofSocialWork, Administration, (DepartmentofSocialWelfare, CUHK) TaipeiCityGovernment) TheUniversityofHongKong) *PredicamentofSustainable ExperienceinServicePracticewithin DementiaCareinUrbanChina–Case 10
DevelopmentinTaiwan: MentalHealthPolicySystemin ExampleofGuangzhou InactiveTransformationof MainlandChina:APerspectiveof Ms.WangJunfang HighEnergyConsumptionand PolicyProcess (DepartmentofSocialWorkandSocial HighCarbonEmission Ms.ZhouYang Administration, IndustriesandPolicies (DepartmentofSocialWork, TheUniversityofHongKong) Prof.ChouKueiͲtien CUHK) 17:45Ͳ18:00 (RiskSocietyandPolicy Discussion 18:00Ͳ18:15 ResearchCenter,National 18:30Ͳ20:00 ClosingCeremony ġ TaiwanUniversity) Dinner ġ ġ1541 ġ ġ ġ ġ ġ ġ ġ *ThepresentationwillbeconductedinChinese 11
Keynote Speeches What’s the Use of Social Work Research? Prof. John Carpenter Professor of Social Work and Applied Social Science, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol Abstract: As the title of this paper suggests, I propose to take a critical look at social work research in terms of its usefulness to practice. I shall argue that social work practice needs a sound evidence base and suggest what that might comprise. I contend that the evidence required is much broader than that implied by the narrow focus of ‘evidence based practice’. I prefer the broader concept of research‐informed practice which includes an understanding of the needs and wants of services users and the circumstances of their lives. It also includes knowledge about effective education and training and about how to implement new ideas into practice within organisations. Furthermore, this knowledge must be disseminated effectively and beyond academia. I shall illustrate these arguments with some of my own work and that of colleagues. Research is useful, I shall argue, to the extent that it makes an impact on practice and ultimately, people’s lives. About the Speaker: Prof. John Carpenter is a registered social worker, chartered psychologist and family therapist. He joined the School as Chair of Social Work and Applied Social Science in 2005. John was Professor of Social Work and Director of the Centre for Applied Social and Community Studies at Durham University (1997‐2005) and Senior Lecturer in the Applied Psychology of Mental Health at Kent University (1988‐96). He previously worked at Bristol University as Lecturer in the Departments of Social Work and Mental Health 1979‐87. In 1999 he was elected as one of the founding Academicians of the Academy of Social Sciences in the UK. In 2010 he was appointed as the first National School for Social Care Research (SSCR) Senior Visiting Research Fellow. 12
Opportunities and Challenges for Social Work in the Post‐Professional Era Prof. Tsang Ka‐tat Professor, Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto Abstract: Social Work has gone through historically unprecedented development in China over the last two decades, while the country has emerged into new roles globally. Finding the right direction for development of social work in Chinese communities will likely remain a challenge for the decade to come. A global environmental scan shows a few important trends that have to be integrated into a conceptual model that can hopefully inform the future development of social work. Post‐professionalism privileges a pragmatic approach to practice and unsettles traditional definitions of professional activities and roles. A post‐professional framework engages with (1) the implication of the rise of China and associated geopolitical changes for social work; (2) demographic changes in the globalized context; (3) the future of work; (3) the academization of social work and the future of universities; (4) the future of social work practice; and (5) the relationship between knowledge and social work. This visioning exercise offers a number of suggestions for social work practitioners, researchers, and education, including: (1) Decentering American hegemony; (2) Divorcing academia? (3) Reconfiguring professional role and identity. About the Speaker: A. Ka Tat Tsang, Ph.D. is currently Professor, Director of the China Project, and Factor‐Inwentash Chair in Social Work in the Global Community at the University of Toronto. He is actively involved in direct practice. He is the founder of the SSLD (Strategies and Skills Learning and Development) System. 13
Cross‐border Professional Supervision in Social Work: Shandong Experience Prof. Joyce L.C. Ma Chairperson & Professor, Department of Social Work, The Chinese university of Hong Kong Mrs. Monica L. T. Yau‐Ng Professional Consultant, Department of Social Work, The Chinese university of Hong Kong Abstract: Social work profession in Jinan, the provincial capital of Shandong, China has just developed in recent years. Young social workers in Jinan are in need of guidance, advice and support from experienced social workers to apply social work knowledge and skills in their daily practice. In view of the need, a two‐year cross‐border professional supervision project, which aimed to enhance the service quality provided in Jinan, was carried out collaboratively by the Jiai Social Work Service Center in Jinan and the Family and Group Practice Research Center, Department of Social Work of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 2010 to 2012, two experienced Hong Kong social work supervisors, who have extensive working experiences in rehabilitation and community services, had provided professional supervision through onsite supervision and video conferencing to social workers working in a rehabilitation center for mentally challenged adults and a community‐based youth center respectively. The efficacy of professional supervision was assessed and results have indicated positive effects on agency staff’s professional competence and agency development. By sharing our experience in Jinan, we hope to promote professional social work supervision in Mainland. About the Speaker: Prof. Joyce L. C. Ma is the Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Social Work, CUHK. She is a Clinical Fellow and an Approved Supervisor of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), founder of the Shengang Family Treatment Center of Nanshan Hospital in Shenzhen and the Director of the Family and Group Practice Research Centre of the Department. Her specialties and research interests cover the areas of family therapy, mental health, and eating disorders. Prof. Ma is also the author of 3 Chinese books “Adolescent and Family Therapy ”(2001), “Unlocking the Family Door—Anorexia Nervosa and Family Therapy in a Chinese Context”(2008), and “Anorexia Nervosa and Family Therapy” (2011), one English book “Anorexia Nervosa and Family Therapy”(2011). Mrs. Monica Yau is the Professional Consultant and the Deputy Director of Family & Group Practice Centre of the Department of Social Work, CUHK. She possesses more than 20 years’ experience in helping families with children with special needs, serving as both an administrator and a clinician at the rehabilitation field. Mrs. Yau has been providing clinical supervisions and professional trainings to various social services agencies and business corporate, including the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, MTR Co. Ltd., etc. 14
An Argument and Strategies for Valuing the Art as well as the Science of Social Work Practice Prof. Nick Coady Dean, Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University Abstract: For many decades, the predominant view in social work practice and education has been that the cornerstone of effective practice is an objective, rational, scientific approach that emphasizes a deductive application of theoretical knowledge and technical skill in working with clients. This presentation will review empirical evidence that supports the argument that a subjective, intuitive, humanistic approach that emphasizes relationship development and inductive, collaborative theory‐building for unique clients is also critically important for effective social work practice. The traditional problem‐solving model of social work practice will be offered as an important tool for integrating the art and science of practice. About the Speaker: Following appointments as Associate Dean both in the Faculty of Social Work (FSW) and the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Nick became Dean of the FSW in 2011. Prior to becoming Dean, Nick taught in the individuals, families, and groups field of study. His teaching and research interests include relationship and other common factors in counselling, artistic/intuitive elements in counselling, the eclectic use of theory in practice, and basic communication and counselling skills. His practice experience has included individual and family work with multi‐problem adolescents, group work with violent men, and general individual and family counselling. Nick's research and publications have focused primarily on the importance of good worker‐client relationships to client outcomes in a variety of direct practice settings. He is currently working on the 3rd edition of a co‐edited textbook on the eclectic use of theory in direct social work practice. 15
Issues and Challenges of Social Work Online Education Prof. Iris Chi Professor, School of Social Work, University of Southern California Abstract: While major universities in the world including the most exclusive institutions are flooding the educational sphere with new opportunities for learning and teaching in virtual environments, social work profession to some extent has resisted the incursion of online education. Concerns about quality of students, fidelity of content, and socialization to the profession seem to be deep‐rooted. There has been a sense that online education is, for social work, inherently substandard and useful only when all traditional means are not feasible. This presentation will discuss the challenges facing social work education in research universities in the United States as a background for launching the first national web‐based MSW program at the University of Southern California School Of Social Work in October 2010. The presentation will describe the MSW courses taught in the online environment – a virtual Academic Center (VAC), and pedagogical hurdles faced in order to maintain the educational quality. As expected, the challenges of launching a VAC have been substantial. Fortunately, the rapidly increasing technologies have allowed for the development of synchronous, live interactive tool that has bridged the divide among social work educators and MSW students who are engaged together in online education. Implications for online social work education in China will be discussed. About the Speaker: Prof. Chi is the Chinese‐American Golden Age Association/Frances Wu Chair for the Chinese Elderly at the University of Southern California (USC). Prior to joining the USC, she taught at the University of Hong Kong for 17 years, in addition to chairing the Department of Social Work and serving as the founding director of the Sau Po Centre on Aging. Prof. Chi is an honorary professor, fellow, consultant and advisor to more than 30 local and international professional organizations. She is also an associate editor for International Journal of Social Welfare, expert reviewer and editorial board member for many gerontology and social work journals. Dr. Chi served on the Commission on Curriculum and Educational Innovation for the Council on Social Work Education and the Executive Committee for the Board of International Association of the Schools of Social Work. She was recently awarded as a fellow of American Academy of Social Welfare and Social Work in 2014. 16
Researching Social Policy: Scope, Pitfalls and Opportunities Prof. Peter Saunders Professor, Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales Abstract: Increased reliance on competitive markets has contributed to rising global prosperity but has also highlighted the important role of social policies in ensuring that the rewards are fairly distributed and that overall outcomes are socially sustainable. Achieving an appropriate balance between economic and social outcomes is one of the main contemporary policy challenges. This is true in western democracies where the welfare state continues to play a pivotal role, but also in Chinese societies where experience confirms that welfare provision cannot be left to the market. Against this background, this paper will explore the nature of social policy as a way of understanding its on‐going significance in a world increasingly dominated by market forces, free competition and small government. After reviewing several approaches to defining social policy, the paper will consider the different ways in which social policy research can influence public understanding of social issues and thus help to shape the policy agenda. It will then draw on some recent examples from Australia and Hong Kong to illustrate how research can, if properly conceived, conducted and communicated, exert an influence on how social problems are understood and the possible policy responses to them. About the Speaker: Peter Saunders was the Director of the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales from February 1987 until July 2007, and now holds a Research Chair in Social Policy within the Centre. His research interests include poverty and income distribution, household needs and living standards, social exclusion, social security reform, comparative social policy and ageing and social protection in China. His recent books include The Ends and Means of Welfare. Coping with Economic and Social Change in Australia (Cambridge University Press, 2002), The Poverty Wars, Reconnecting Research with Reality, (with James Walter) Ideas and Influence. Social Science and Public Policy in Australia (both published by UNSW Press in 2005) and Down and Out: Poverty and Exclusion in Australia (Policy Press, 2011). He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia in 1995, and has worked as a consultant for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the OECD, the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, the International Social Security Association, and the Royal Commission on Social Policy in New Zealand. He was appointed a Sciential Professor by UNSW between 2006 and 2012 in recognition of his research contribution and eminence, is currently the President of the Foundation for International Studies on Social Security (FISS) and was the first President of the Australian Social Policy Association between 2009 and 2013. 17
Achievements, Challenges and Policy Disputes‐‐‐‐ China’s Social Policy Development in the Background of New Socioeconomic Transition Prof. Guan Xinping Chairperson & Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University Abstract: In the last decade China’s social policy experienced a great development measured by its improvement in universality, comprehensiveness, and the increase in social expenditure, but now in the background of new socioeconomic transition, the social policy is still facing some serious problems and challenges, such as the unequal features, the sustainable financial capacities, and the relationship between social protection and economic development in the new global economy, etc. In this paper, the author will summarize the main development in social policy in the last decade, the current problems and challenges, the disputes in the theoretic research and policy‐making areas, and possible social policy reform and development in the new future in China. About the Speaker: Prof. Guan Xinping, Chairperson of Department of Social Work & Social policy, Nankai University. He is also the Director of Social Development and Administration Institute, Director of Nankai‐CUHK Joint Research Centre of Social Policy and Vice‐Director of Centre for European Studies of Nankai University. Furthermore, he is the Vice Director of China Association for Social Work Education and Vice Chairman of Tianjin Sociology Association. His research interests are social policy, social work, sociology and demography. 18
Gender Equality, Family Policy and Welfare State – The Determinants of Childbearing Behavior? Prof. Wang Lih‐rong Deputy Dean, Social Science College, National Taiwan University Abstract: This is the paper oriented to explore the trend of low total fertility rate in Asia as well as Europe, and examine how the responsive policies have been developed and effectively to face this issue in European and Asia countries, particularly in those countries with better gender equality countries based on GII index. The policy outcome data are drawn from certain database of European survey and Asia survey. Gender equality data is based on Gender Inequality Index done by UN as designed as measurement of gender equality all over the world. Those best 20th countries have shown better total fertility rate except Asia countries show lowest birth rates in the world. The research find out here might be traditional gender role or gender ideology has not been changed and not been integrated into the family policy yet so that the TFR is not related to the effort of family policy and not related to the status of welfare state or here miss fit between welfare model and gender equality policy. In addition, welfare state has been developed as “productivity welfare model” might not be able to facilitate the substantial gender equality yet. It might the key factor affects the decision of Asia people in determining child‐bearing. About the Speaker: Dr. Wang Lih‐Rong (Lillian) graduated from UCLA in 1990s and now she is Professor of Department of Social Work and Deputy Dean of Social Science College National Taiwan University. Last year, she was academic visitor of University of Oxford(07/2011‐06/2012). In recent years she has conducted two waves of National Gender‐based Violence/Domestic Violence Surveys in Taiwan and joined two waves of East‐Asia Social Quality Survey (SQSQ survey), and other Gender and Community Resilience research. Her recent papers have been published in Global Social Work Practice, Journal of Social work in Disability and Rehabilitation and Social Indicator Research and IJPPHME, and Development and Society etc. Her books , such as Women and Social Policy and Risk &Public Policy in East Asia (co‐edited with Dr. Raymond Chan and Dr. Mutsuko Takahashi), have been published in Taiwan and in UK. She has been serving in several international journals’ editorial boards such as Planet@Risk, Asia Women, Journal of Social Quality and IJPPHME etc. and as chief editor of NTU Social Work Review (2006‐2011). 19
Transitional Outcomes and Their Barriers and Facilitators among Economically Disadvantaged Youths Prof. Steven Sek‐yum Ngai Professor, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: This study investigates the school‐to‐work experiences of economically disadvantaged youths in Hong Kong. Based on focus group interviews with 50 young people from low‐income families, the results show that this population is among the most disadvantaged in school‐to‐work transition, as the majority of these youths were either engaged in low‐skill jobs with limited career prospects or disengaged from both work and education. Among the interviewees, those who left school early were at the greatest risk for social exclusion, as most of them were unemployed for more than one year. In line with the ecological‐developmental perspective, contextual influences such as lower levels of parental involvement and lack of further education opportunities were found to constrain both the formulation and pursuit of educational and career goals. In contrast, service use and supportive interactions with parents and non‐family adults were found to foster more adaptive transition. Furthermore, our results indicate a striking difference in intrapersonal agency and coping styles between young people who were attending further education or engaged in jobs with advancement opportunities and those who were not. The implications of our findings for future research and policy development are discussed. About the Speaker: Dr. Steven Sek‐yum Ngai is Professor at CUHK Department of Social Work and Director of CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Center of Social Policy. His current research interests are in the areas of service‐learning and leadership development, social exclusion and youth citizenship, mutual aid and youth empowerment, and qualitative research methodology. In total, he has published over 160 articles in these areas, including 100 refereed publications in journals, books and conference proceedings. Since 2000, he has conducted 26 research projects. Among them, three are funded by RGC Competitive Earmarked Research Grant (CERG) or RGC General Research Fund (GRF) in the 2004–05, 2007–08 and 2009–10 exercises, and another 16 commissioned by government bureaus/NGOs in Hong Kong or Macau. Given his ongoing efforts in teaching and research, he received the CUHK Faculty of Social Science Exemplary Teaching Award in 2000 and the CUHK Research Excellence Award in 2010–11. 20
Special Session (Theme: Innovation in Social Work Practice ‐ Hong Kong) “Regain Momentum” Animal‐Assisted Therapy Mentorship Program Mr. Ng Yan‐ho Henry General Secretary, Chinese Evangelical Zion Church Social Service Division Abstract: The “Regain Momentum” Animal‐Assisted Therapy (AAT) Mentorship Program (RM Program) was a 2‐year pioneering project launched by the Chinese Evangelical Zion Church in 2010. This pioneering project aimed at providing a one‐stop AAT, individual counseling, work attitude training and support services for young people aged 15‐24 who were withdrawn / semi‐withdrawn and / or those with mental health issues. The objectives of the RM Program were: To establish / enhance the self‐confidence of the withdrawn / semi‐withdrawn young people; and / or those with a mental health problem in their social interaction; and To equip them with basic life skills, especially employment skills. Research team of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong has launched a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the “Regain Momentum” Animal‐Assisted Therapy Mentorship Program. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Results have shown that it has helped to improve the self‐esteem, reduce the social anxiety level and increase the perceived employability of the youth participated. Over half of the participants were able to engage in gainful employment after participation in the Program. The distinctive feature of the AAT component is found to be particularly helpful for withdrawn youth who tend to be “invisible” and shy away from traditional service model. The use of AAT as an agent to facilitate the engagement of the young people and the fluidity of the intervention process are able to accommodate individual preferences and readiness. When Teens Meet Angels ‐ Experience and Challenge in Working with Teen Parents Ms. Cheng Wai‐hing Service Director, Youth Services, Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service‐Hong Kong Mr. Lau Kit‐wai Social Worker, ELCHK, Central Youth Service (When Teens Meet Angels) Abstract: Teenage parents have long been characterized by deviant behavior, active sex life and dysfunctional family background. Yet over the past five years, during which our project When Teens Meet Angels served over 200 young mothers (aged 21 or below) and their male partners, we had come across teen parents whose background and behavior defied all stereotypes. The multifaceted nature of this client group was reflected in our sources of referral, among which about 70 per cent of cases came from Hospital, about 10 per cent from NGOs and the remaining 20 per cent from miscellaneous sources. 21
To better work with teen parents who have multiple levels of needs, we adopt a three‐pronged approach with a strong emphasis on community work. Our goal is to better equip pregnant teens as parents while tapping into community resources for support. We experience clashes of values involving both macro and micro issues of class and gender. This include the decision of using parenthood as a means to adulthood, lacking upward mobility among grassroots teens, the increasing trend of late marriage and childbirth, the impact of Judeo‐Christian and Confucian ethics on sexual norms, the concept of fatherhood and manhood as well as limited social services for men in Hong Kong. Facing up to these challenges, we look into new approaches to enhance our services, reconstruct gender roles through community education, kick start new services for young fathers, provide young couples with skills training on relationship issues and widening our multi‐professional support network for young families. An Exploratory Study on the Insomnia Treatment Group for Elderly Prof. Leung Yuk‐ki Timothy Associate Professor of Practice in Social Work, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Ms. Sin Fung‐yee Sally Senior Social Worker, Elderly Service of Evangelical Lutheran Church Social Service‐Hong Kong Ms. Cheung Man‐sze Professional Consultant, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: Insomnia is consistently reported to impair insomniacs’ health, mood, relationships, work efficiency and general sense of well‐being (Lacks, 1987). In addition, insomnia co‐varies with higher prevalence rates among individuals with psychiatric disorders substantially higher than the prevalence in the general public (Morin, Culbert, Schwartz, 1994). Insomnia has a widespread prevalence in the population. A telephone survey found that of 9851 respondents aged 18–65 of Hong Kong’s Chinese population, 11.9 percent experienced insomnia during the preceding month (cited in Chan, Ng, &Ng, 2006). Stepanski et al (1989) observe that insomnia is a chronic problem with an average duration of 14 years for those who eventually sought for support at sleep clinics. Development of alternative treatment is significant, as some find medicine not useful in inducing sleep as well as the severe impact of insomnia on mental health. The project aims to develop a localized social work treatment group for Chinese elderly using mindfulness exercises, social learning theory and cognitive behavioral therapy in treatment of insomnia. Two groups have been held for elderly. The findings showed that members were satisfied towards group treatment. Both quantitative and qualitative measures found that the group was useful in reducing level of sleep disturbances, increasing capacity in coping with insomnia and lowering levels of anxiety and depression. Also, the group was useful in helping the clients identifying underlying concerns behind sleep disturbances, such as fear of death, illness and complex feelings towards loss and old age. Some discovered the major issue behind sleep problems were related with interpersonal difficulties with family members and childhood 22
unfinished trauma. Thus, the insomnia served as messages for clients to address underlying concerns and needs affecting their well beings. In doing so, the sleep problems became less disturbing for clients in which clients had developed greater coping capacity to live with the situations even the insomnia could not be solved immediately. Multiple Family Group Therapy for Families with Children Placed in Out‐of‐Home Care in Hong Kong Ms. Mooly Wong Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Mrs. Londy Leung Assistant Chief Executive, S.K.H. St. Christopher’s Home Abstract: Under the philosophy of child protection, the service model for out‐of‐home care children is child‐centered and professional‐driven in Hong Kong, with the focus of rescuing children from the undesirable influence of their families and treating parents / caregivers as service recipient rather than strategic partner. Family‐centered practice that views the children’s issues contextually is evidenced as a promising approach to these families. The connection of children with their families has positive impacts to their mental health, interpersonal relationships and adult life. It could also shorten the children’s station period in care and facilitate the possibility of family reunification. Multiple family group therapy (MFGT) is a family‐focused group work approach and is aimed at bringing together a number of families with common problems and helping them to resolve their difficulties using their own resources. The application for families with children placed in out‐of‐home care is the first step to shift the service paradigm from child‐centered to family‐centered in Hong Kong. A family project has been jointly organized between our department and S.K.H. St. Christopher’s Home from 2010 to 2014. The presentation will report the group details and the outcome of the research study. The study indicates that MFGT has positive impacts to participants, particularly to improve communication, increase healthier interaction and ability in conflict resolution among members. The group can also relief the stress of parents; overcome social isolation and expand social supportive networks of the families. Feedbacks from the participants to modify the group model will be highlighted too. 23
Special Session (Theme: Innovation in Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Development – Mainland China and Taiwan) Experience Sharing on Jinjiang Social Governance and the Incubation and Development of Social Organizations Ms. Wei Yuguang Director, Chengdu Jinjiang District Social Organization Development Foundation Abstract: In recent years, under the leadership of the CPC and with the concept of multi‐party involvement and co‐governance, Jinjiang District has been quite positive in innovation and has successfully built a new pattern of social governance characterized with “party’s leadership, government responsibility, social coordination, public participation, rule of law and autonomous, multi‐organ linkage”. In the process of strengthening social governance, Jinjiang district imposes great emphases on the active role that the social organizations play in social governance and resulting in virtuous social administration, which provides a strong support for the development of society. In 2011, led by CPC, Jinjiang District Committee and the District Government, Jingjiang Social Organization Development Fund was established with the aim to foster and develop social organizations. The Fund, after a few years of exploration and efforts, has now formed a one‐stop service system featured with social workers pool to social organization incubation, cultivation and support. Parent‐Child Centre: A New Practice for Supporting Child‐rearing Parents in Taipei Ms. Dou Tsz‐rung Director of Division of Welfare Services for Women and Child Care Centers, Department of Social Welfare, Taipei City Government Abstract: To encourage higher birth rate, Taipei City Government has set up the “new birth incentive program” in 2010. Besides the childbirth subsidy and child allowance, the City is also improve parents‐children service by implementing the “one daycare center and one parent‐child center in one district” policy. Until April 2014, ten parent‐child centers have set up for families with kids under six years old. The theme of the center is “Interaction, Play and Growth”. Its main purpose is to provide kids with a safe and joyous environment to grow and develop. And it also offers parents or grandparents a place to learn and release the pressure of child‐rearing. Parent‐Child center is a high‐quality environment providing varied toys and (digital) books to fit children’s development and parenting need. Take Neihu center as an example, it provided 7 learning areas: Baby the explorer (for age 0‐3), Grandparents’ home (multi‐culture), Happy Gym, My Castle (constructive blocks), DIY, Warm area (activity room) and Love corner (Parent‐child interaction). The facilities are buzzing with activity from parent‐child reading together, playing together, traffic safety programs, light meal cooking sessions, children’s theatre and more. The popularity of these centers can be seen from the accumulated 571,179 visits as until February, 2014. Moreover, each center carries out its activities and facilities to the disadvantaged community every month, so more people can take the advantage of these support. 24
In sum, parent‐ child center is a new practice that many organizations join hands with the city government, to provide a friendly environment for children to grow up. Competency‐based Training on Social Group Work Practice Project in Jinan: An Exploratory Study Prof. Leung Yuk‐ki Timothy Associate Professor of Practice in Social Work, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Mrs. Monica L. T. Yau‐Ng Professional Consultant, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: Social group work is one of the major social work interventions for families, youth and individuals, which are effective to enhance clients’ functioning, reduce negative impacts of dysfunctional problems and develop mutual aid system among members (Toseland and Rivas, 2010). In the past decade, social work profession has undergone a rapid development in China. Yet, development of social group work in China is impeded by the lack of trainings and supervision, as well as limited exposure for young social workers to observe social work groups conducted by experienced practitioners. Thus, the Family and Group Practice Research Center of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has launched a 2‐year practice project in 2013 aiming to develop an indigenous training model in Jinan which helps enhance competence of young social workers in group work practice. Objectives of this project focus on enhancement of four aspects of competency among social workers in Jinan: (1) to promote understanding on clients’ needs; (2) to conceptualize the group formulation design in a coherent programme logic linking needs, goals and programme; (3) to develop reflective capacity in understanding the group dynamics in group implementation and reviewing one’s group intervention; and (4) to enhance the executive ability of the workers in group planning and implementation. This study describes the first year experience of the project in training young social workers in Jinan on social group work practice. This presentation will be concentrated on the project design, the training protocol and implications for social work education. 25
Theme 1: Social Work Practice and Social Work Education A Study of Care Needs among Families in Shanghai‐‐‐A Perspective of Family Cycle Prof. Chen Honglin Vice Chairperson & Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Fudan University Abstract: Care needs in families varied according to the family cycle. There are bigger demand of care needs for babies and elderly in families in general. The ageing trend impacts greatly on families, communities, and society. The Chinese government announced the national occupational standard of elderly care‐givers in 2002 categorized four levels of professional certificate (《养老护理员国家职业标准》), which is the milestone of the occupational development. With the emerging peak birthrate in recent years, as well as the ideology of modern breeding approaches for children, there is an increasing number of nannies appeared in the job market. The high salary of baby care giver attracts thousands of migrant women and local women to take the job. They could receive free or low cost training course at the labor resource center (劳动就业训练中心). The certificate became the entrance key to high payment. The researcher interviewed 6 elderly care‐giver and 4 baby care‐giver at a pilot study and trying to identify who are the care‐givers and their occupational self‐identity on their current job. The paper also discussed about the current un‐evenly distribution of care resources within the family. Coping Behavior of Chinese Male Victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Prof. Simon Chan T.M. Assistant Processor, Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University Mr. Wallace Tsang W.H. DSW Candidate, Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Abstract: Male victim of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been a neglected issue in academic and research field for a long time. Currently dominating socio‐political paradigm, such as feminism, fails to explain the male victims in IPV, and there are so far very limited research studies to address this issue. In view of this research gap, this study is proposed to examine the coping behavior of the Chinese male victims of IPV in Hong Kong. This study tries to address how the male victims of IPV cope with the abusive / violent relationship. In‐depth interview will be employed as the research method. The target informants will be those Chinese male victims who are experiencing / have experienced being abused in the relationship by their partners. In the mid of the project, this presentation will focus on the data collected of five respondents, in that 1) how they make sense of their experiences; 2) their help‐seeking patterns; and 3) their coping strategies will be addressed. 26
It is argued that social construction of masculinity in Chinese context is the key concept to organize the help‐seeking and coping behavior of those male victims; and the challenge to conceptualize the cultural concept of masculinity will be discussed. Furthermore, gender‐sensitive service should be cultivated in the service sector, but not only limited to female clients. The hurdles in the development of male services, especially male victim in IPV, in Chinese context will be addressed and alternative strategies will be proposed. A Pathway to Break through the Barrier of Family Background: A Comparative Research on Faculty Social Mobility in China and the United States Prof. Lin Zeng Chairperson & Professor, Department of Sociology, Wuhan University Abstract: Among different patterns of social mobility, there is a special one, namely, the social mobility among university faculty members. The unique feature of such a social mobility is that it rejects the claim of status attainment models that social mobility is always significantly influenced by people’s family background. To explore the question, three multiple linear regression models are developed. Faculty rank, income, and number of published journal articles are served as indictors of social mobility, and family background, demographic characteristics, and personal achievement are served as predictors. Conclusion of the research is that academic career is a path to overcome the barriers of social class in social mobility. Despite standing on different levels of development between China and the United States, the patterns of social mobility are strikingly similar. Key words: Social mobility; University faculty members; Family background; Comparative China and the United States Parameters in Formulating Universal Pension System in Hong Kong: The Possibility of Developing a Sustainable and Affordable System Prof. Wong Yu‐cheung Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: The debate of introducing a universal pension system for all in Hong Kong has been gaining momentum in recent years. There are several major proposals offered by various local political parties and policy advocacy groups regarding how such system could be constructed. The author studied all these designs and identified the major parameters around which these proposals are developed. These parameters related to the benefit level, contribution level and ceilings, additional corporate tax level, amount of government injection required. There was no difference in the pension age (65), and coverage (all local permanent residents). These proposals, giving their positions on various parameters, differ in their internal financial sustainability, and the payment required by government, individuals and their employers. This presentation shows the differences among these proposals and identified the key political issues to be addressed regarding these parameters for a universal pension system for all could be implemented in Hong Kong. 27
Community Social Work Practice against Community Decay: An Experiment of Village Re‐ construction Done by Guangdong Social Work Association for Advancement of Rural‐urban Sustainability Prof. Zhang Heqing Vice Chairperson & Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, Guangzhou Sun Yat‐sen University Abstract: The article first examines the existing condition of community decay in China mainland from five different perspectives. A social work project conducted by Guangdong Social Work Association for Advancement of Rural‐urban Sustainability in Conghua, a remote rural area in Guangzhou, will be used as an example to demonstrate how rural‐urban co‐operation and faire trade platform can contribute to the sustainable rural development. Lesson learnt from the project will also be discussed. From Unfamiliarity to Familiarity: The Dialogues between Social Work Practices in Kingmen and Xiamen Ms. Yang Hui‐chen Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Science, National Open University Abstract: 2009‐2013 Kinmen‐Xiamen Xiamen social work practice approached by both sides to assist local governments, relevant observation visits and social welfare institutions of learning seminar that caused Kinmen became the frontline social work development between Taiwan and mainland China, but also as the proliferation of social work with the transplant media. Practice through interactive dialogue, Xiamen copy practical experience of learning social work in Taiwan., but also makes kinmen can take full reflection of their social work practice after the study was made in this study to take: The research study was made after take: Kinmen sophisticated professional development resources to enrich and strengthen the supervision of Xiamen, Kinmen and Xiamen suggestions diverse social work academic research. Key words: Social Work; Kinmen and Xiamen; Social Work Practice Elder Cultural Construction in the Context of Social Change Prof. Chen Youhua Chairperson & Professor, Department of Social Work & Social Policy, Nanjing University Abstract: This paper attempts to study and analyze several issues about Chinese elder cultural construction. Clearly: along with social change, pension liability should be shifted to the government's commitment rather than traditional family and child‐caring way. Plus, strictly‐hierarchical parent‐child relationship and unlimited liability between parent and child should gradually transit to equal parent‐child relation status. \"Father loves son\" and \"son should be responsible to their parents\" is not only ethical, but also reflects the parent‐child inter‐generational responsibility and obligations of reciprocity. China cannot afford today's pension 28
obligations just only by traditional filial piety, the government try to evade their responsibility by evoking filial esteem over the crowd. The elderly should hold an objective view about themselves, others and the whole society, address the lack of their own shortcomings and weaknesses, finally, emphasis on life‐long learning and cultural feedback, which enrich their cultural life of the elderly is particularly important. Key words: Elder cultural; Filial piety; Parent‐child relation Exploration of Social Organization Cultivation Path under the Perspective of Ecological Systems–In the Case of W Town of M District in Shanghai Prof. Han Xiaoyan Chairperson & Professor, Department of Social Work, School of Social Development, East China Normal University Prof. Wang Haiping Lecturer, Department of Social Work, School of Social Development, East China Normal University Abstract: In contemporary China, there are many ways to cultivate social service organizations. The present paper took the perspective of ecological system theory, concluded an \"one plus one\" model as an effective cultivation path of social service organizations based on long‐term practice and research in the cultivation of social service organizations in W town of M district in Shanghai city. The model emphasized the diversity and ecological symbiosis of social service organizations in order to meet the pluralistic and unbalanced social and individual needs under the rapid changes in the ecosystem. The paths included eight steps: resident needs assessment, transfer of government functions, government purchase of services established, project bidding, operation of the project, project evaluation and promotion, social organization incubator, social organization standardized management, development of social service professionals. The ultimate goal of the model was to achieve significant increase in individual empowerment, professional empowerment and community empowerment, so that to form a symbiotic ecosystem within the community. Key words: Ecosystem; Heterogeneous needs; Social organizations; Cultivation Service Assistance in Poverty Reduction: Based on Needs Survey of Poor Families in Chengdu City Prof. He Mingjie Chairperson & Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Psychology, Sichuan University Abstract: Urban poverty is an intrinsic problem of society and economic development. Various and complicated factors cause poverty. Traditional institutional assistance cannot solve the problem considering various needs of the poor. Developing service assistance in poverty reduction activities of the city is a right choice. 29
Service assistance, an organic part of urban social assistance system in mainland China, is a public assistance by providing free of low‐profit services to improve poor people’s daily life. Based on the preliminary results of a survey which investigated needs of 478 poor families in main districts of Chengdu, as well as referring to newly‐adopted Interim Measures of Social Relief, the author discuss the value and status of service assistance in urban poverty reduction system. She elaborates social welfare idea, reduction methods and participant subjects of service assistance in this paper, and highlights the significance of service assistance in extending the meaning of traditional poverty reduction and completing urban poverty assistance system. Thus, service assistance, as an institutional innovation targeting on problems of urban poverty reduction is worth trying. Oral History of Disadvantaged Adolescents and Social Work Intervention – A Study in H District, Beijing Prof. Ren Guoying Chairperson, Department of Sociology, Minzu University of China Associate Dean, Faculty of Ethnology and Sociology, Minzu University of China Abstract: This is a qualitative study on adolescents in the perspective of oral history. By doing oral history interviews with some disadvantaged adolescents in H district, Beijing, the researcher tries to record the major historical events of their life, which include experiences, feelings and lifestyles. What is focused on is the negative impact of the family, schools and society on their growth. Based on the analysis of these life histories, the personal, family, school and social elements contributing to the disadvantages of this population group are identified. What’s more, effective social work intervention for disadvantaged adolescents is explored. Social Risk for Autism Children and its Strategy of Intervention in Coastal Developed Areas: A Case Study of Hangzhou in China Prof. Fang Wei Professor and Associate Dean, College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University of Technology Abstract: Since economic reform in 1980s, China has won a worldwide reputation for its poverty alleviation during rapid economic growth. The government has also taken many intervention measures on children with autism, and made a security net for daily living and future development of target population. On the basis of a review of the development of social policy for those children in a case study in Hangzhou, a provincial city of Zhejiang in the east coastal developed areas in the country, an analysis was made in the paper on the possible social risks faced by children and their families during their rehabilitation training, adult living care because of poverty caused by illness, and a framework of social policy based on combination of developmental and maintaining orientation were constructed. 30
Community Reorganization: New Path, Old Way? Prof. Sui Yujie Chairperson & Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Renmin University of China Abstract: China is experiencing increasingly rapid urbanization during the past three decades. Issues of community reorganization and the establishment of community governance in new urban communities were emerged and became prominent during this social transition. This study aimed to explore the trajectory of community reorganization in a newly established community in Beijing and to find its implications for improving community governance. A qualitative research method was employed by conducting in‐depth interviews and focus groups. It is found that the new community experienced a transitional period of chaos. Many new forces, such as stakeholders’ committee, community consulting committee and volunteer organizations were developed to address the critical issues in the community. The street committee designed the paths to develop these forces and appointed the preparatory residents’ committee who played a key role in building up these new forces. An up‐down path was found in the process of community reorganization. The traditional way was followed in dealing with community issues though community residents were encouraged to participate in self‐governance and new social forces were expected to innovate community governance. Some contextual impacts on community reorganization and the structure and functioning of community governance were explored. It is suggested that leaders of the new forces in the community need to be incubated in order to better use their platforms to participate in community reorganization and community governance. The working model of community work in new urban communities was also discussed. 31
Theme 2: Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Development An Exploratory Study on Fathers’ Use of Paid Parental Leave in Taiwan Ms. Li Ting‐Hsin Research Assistant, Department of Social Welfare, National Chung Cheng University Prof. Wang Shu‐yung Assistant Professor, Department of Social Welfare, National Chung Cheng University Abstract: Taiwan’s Parental Leave policy was set up in 2002, and most of the applicants are still women. Even though the parental leave allowance has been provided since 2009, the duty of care is still mostly undertaken by women. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to understand the motivations and model of care of fathers who take parental leave. This study uses qualitative research and then interviews nine parental leave fathers to find two main points. First, there is a hierarchical relationship among the main five factors for taking parental leave, including “personal”, “family”, “social environment”, “occupational structure” and “the emergence of the problem”. These factors make some fathers “want to” take, others “need to” take, and others “have to” take parental leave. Second, parental leave fathers differ from mothers who are often responsible for the same care work at home. Because fathers can use their time flexibly, they can also clearly separate care work and house work, whereas mothers need to take them all. For most parental leave fathers, caring for a child is just like a relay race, because they can easily pass the baton to the next person. In other words, parental leave fathers still fail to become the primary caregiver, even when they apply for parental leave. Overall, the traditional social stereotypes of gender roles are still firmly embedded in the social structure and they also shape personal behavior. This therefore has a great influence on expecting men to become the breadwinners and expecting women to become the caregivers. Key words: Parental leave fathers; Gender role expectation; Caring experiences; Application motivation The Electronic‐Mediated Environmental Participation and the Development of Public Sphere in China: Implications for Non‐profit Organizations Prof. Xu Ying Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: This article offers a critical analysis of the new pattern of public participation in the electronic‐mediated public sphere. By reviewing the development of Chinese environmental activities that led to an active, electronic‐mediated public discussion concerning environmental protection, the findings reveal that new information and communications technologies (ICTs) have made the public sphere more easily seen and heard by everyone, including governmental departments in the bureaucratic system. Thus, the electronic‐mediated public sphere is providing a third power that could help non‐profit organizations’ (NPOs) development in 32
relatively conservative societies such as China. The implications of using ICTs in the management of NPOs are also discussed. Transportation Survey of Taiwanese Elders Prof. Yang Pei‐shan Professor, Risk Society and Policy Research Center, National Taiwan University Abstract: Among one of the fastest aging society in the world, Taiwan has been developing multiple service systems in the past two decades. However, besides medical and social care, transportation issues have been little discussed. The purpose of this study was to understand the transportation behaviors and needs of elders 60 years and older in Taiwan. The study used multistage sampling method and collected 810 samples from all counties in Taiwan. All respondents were face‐to‐face interviewed by research assistants at their localities. Age was stratified proportionate to the population with 42.5% being 60‐69 years old, 34.8% being 70‐79 years old, and 22.6% being 80 years old and above. The questionnaire items included personal characteristics, social economic status, characteristics of transportation behaviors and satisfaction to the hardware and software of traffic systems. Results showed that contrary to the common idea, Taiwanese elders were quite independent in their daily transporting and traveling. 57.3% of respondents rode motorcycles, and 33.6% had driving licenses. There was a significant urbanization effect, while urban elders used more motorcycles and rural elders walked more. The activities that elders most frequently transport themselves to were doctor visits, exercises, filling prescriptions, leisure activities, and shopping. Many elders were concerned about the safety issues while going out. It was recommended that traffic systems need to consider the physical and psychological needs of elders, and particularly the increasing number of electronic wheelchairs and legalize the right of way for these vehicles for fragile or disabled elders. The Feasibility and the Restriction of Applying Mini‐Cog to Screen Chinese Elders for Cognitive Impairment Mr. Chan Kar‐choi Lecturer, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: Mini‐Cog has been regarded as an easy‐to‐administer and reliable short screen of high sensitivity and specificity for cognitive impairment with established psychometric properties. It consists of a memory and recall test and a clock‐drawing test (CDT) used as distracter, and takes 2‐5 minutes to complete. Positive screen is reflected by either having a zero score in the 3‐item recall or scoring 1‐2 items in recall with an abnormal CDT. The screening tool is said to be relatively free of language, educational and cultural biases (Lorentz, Scanlan & Borson 2002). However the feasibility of applying CDT component of Mini‐Cog to illiterate elders remains a question. In our study of screening community‐dwelling elders for possible dementia and depression, the feasibility and the limitations of using Mini‐Cog were also evaluated. The screening study 33
involved 96 Toronto Chinese. Of all screening participants, 10 (10.4%) were unable to complete the CDT part of Mini‐Cog, because of expressed difficulty in writing and drawing. Of those 10, one had primary education, 2 could not recall how many years of education completed, 7 belonged to the group of participants who reported having no education (n=12). Within the group who were unable to complete the CDT, however, only 1 indicated having great difficulty to understand the instruction. Significant association between participants’ illiteracy and their inability to complete CDT (X2=33.7435; p<0.001) was established, which suggests there may be limitations of applying Mini‐Cog to screen elders with no education. Possible modifications to the distracter component of Mini‐Cog would also be discussed. How to Eradicate Poverty in Hong Kong? Comment on the Poverty Alleviation Policies of the Commission on Poverty Prof. Wong Hung Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: This paper will review the poverty alleviation policies suggested by the current Commission on Poverty of the HKSAR government and discuss its necessities and how to eradicate poverty in Hong Kong with respect to the experience of the UN and Britain in setting up the poverty eradication target. Couples Groups for Partners Having Terminal Cancer: An Exploratory Study Prof. Leung Yuk‐ki Timothy Associate Professor of Practice in Social Work, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Ms. Amy Yan Senior Program Manager, Hong Kong Cancer Fund Abstract: Terminal Cancer induces traumatic stress to a marital relationship and research found that 33‐50% of couples experience emotionally distress or functional impairment in terminal stage of illness (Mclean & Hales, 2010). Stressors include role changes , care giving tasks and existential fear ( Carlson et al.2000 ; Duke, 1998), and correlated with experiences of the increased marital distress, depression, grief, guilt, anxiety and anger in the couple, and often characterized by loss of intimacy(Brown et al.2000). Two groups with 8 weekly sessions of intervention, which were based in a synthesis of experiential learning, mutual aid and person‐centered approach were introduced. The objectives of the group are as follows; alleviate the fear of facing death, enhance marital relationship and increase reciprocal caregiving. Qualitative measures were done by group interviews with couples. The findings of the study indicated that a positive improvement in both the couple relationship and the anxiety level towards death. Post group interviews find out that respondents reported enhanced couple intimacy and having less fear towards death of partner and cancer patients 34
also shared enhanced awareness of their experiences in lives and deeper appreciation of here and now interaction with partners and families. Based on post group interviews with the couples, benefits of the group to members and implications for future groupwork practice would be described. How Women's Social Status Impacts on their Family Status in China Prof. Wu Fan Associate Professor, Department of Social Work & Social Policy, Nankai University Abstract: Despite many studies on the women’s family status or social status, there is little research on how women’s social status impacts their family status. From the perspective of relative resource theory, the paper use the method of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to sets up an index system of women’s family status and social status, and apply Tobit regression model to analyze the impacts of socio‐economic status of women on their family status. According to 2010 National Third Wave Survey on the Social Status of Women in China, The study found that, compared with the spouse, married women's own educational attainment, income level and occupational position are conducive to improve their family status and enhance their equal feeling. The Explore and Practice of Psychological Support Model of Integration of Social Resources— Lushan Earthquake as an Example Mr. Wu Kankan Secretary of Post‐disaster Psychological Support and Psychological Trauma Creative Research Teams, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Abstract: Post‐disaster psychological support is multidisciplinary and cross domain. Since the Wenchuan earthquake, the psychological support has been supported by all sector of society, especially from professional disciplines, such as the government, the foundation, the enterprise, the local school and community, the professional social workers, the psychological workers, etc. In Lushan earthquake area, the psychological support station of Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, continuously explore and practice the integration of all social resources to carry out local based and sustainable psychological support in the local community and school. In the education system, we has published a set of disaster mental health education curriculum for the post‐disaster mental health and 1‐2 mental health teachers in each school has trained to carry out the psychological health class. We have trained a mental health teachers with 80 backbone teachers in Yaan City, and an education center of psychological health has be completed under the local education department. In the community, we have carried out social work service to local victims directly, trained some local social works, and founded a community center of women's and children's psychological services under the local Women's Federation. In three years, we hope to leave a relatively professional psychological support team at local, based on the psychological service center to carry out long‐term and sustainable psychological support. 35
Predicament of Sustainable Development in Taiwan: Inactive Transformation of High Energy Consumption and High Carbon Emission Industries and Policies Prof. Chou Kuei‐tien Director, Risk Society and Policy Research Center, National Taiwan University Abstract: This study examined the contradictions between sustainable development and industrial expansion in a newly industrialized country. It found that the government has gradually adjusted its strategies and policies concerning the realization of a sustainable economy and industries, as required by international green conventions. However, in fact, the government persisted to extend the scale of the petrochemical industry with high levels of energy consumption and carbon emissions. This has correspondently caused great social resistance in different stages. Comparing the cross‐year energy consumption, intensity, CO2 emissions of the industries, and the industries with its contributions to the GDP, it can be seen that the percentage of energy consumption and CO2 emissions by the petrochemical industry steadily increased the national emission level, resulting in increased total energy consumption and CO2 emissions; however, their contribution to the GDP has not increased, and remained low over the past ten years. Although newly industrialized country needs high energy‐consuming industries during the initial stage of promoting economic growth. Its industrial policy, however, needs to be changed under the pressure exerted by global green conventions and increasing public awareness, to prevent dilemmas interfering with long‐term sustainable development, and leading to failure to achieve a global green economy transformation. 36
Postgraduate Students Session Overcoming Professional Burnout through Buddhist Philosophy: A Pilot Study Ms. Cheng Fung‐kei PhD Candidate, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong Abstract: Studies indicate that professional burnout negatively impacts on productivity, physical and mental health, and quality of work life of social workers; yet, little investigates this problem from the Buddhist perspective. Aiming at exploring contribution of Buddhist ideas to overcome professional burnout, the current qualitative inquiry understands how Buddhists prevent this challenge during their professional and/or community services. Participants were recruited through cold calls, referrals, social networks, and Internet channels, and were selected according to selection criteria. In‐depth, face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews were conducted in individual and focus group settings, including 33 Buddhist informants (n=9 service providers, n=5 volunteers, n=11 monks and nuns, n=8 Buddhist devotees). Interpretative phenomenological analysis and ATLAS.ti 7 were used for data analysis. Peer analysis (inter‐rater reliability=0.92) and member‐checking were adopted to enhance the rigour. As a result, three super‐ordinate themes were emerged from the data, including an enlightened mind, wisdom, and flexibility. Among these attributes, the latter two were stemmed from the former, showing their interactions. Wisdom refers to an understanding of karma and of forming the phenomenal world, which enables social workers to reduce stress. Having applied flexibility to caregiving, social workers could flexibly cater for the individual needs of the service recipients, from which they could perform their jobs, and enhanced personal growth. Through this process, they helped others whilst prevent compassion fatigue, resulting in accomplishing self‐benefiting altruism. This pilot study is not necessary for generalisation; however, the research outcomes provide practitioners with insight into coping with professional burnout, which urges further exploration. Key words: Buddhism; Burnout; Qualitative inquiry; Self‐benefiting altruism; Triangulation Sexual Dysfunctions in Marriage: The Couples’ Perspectives in Hong Kong Dr. Kwan Ka‐wing, Kevin PhD Graduate, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: This research aimed at exploring the insiders’ perspectives of the couples towards sexual dysfunctions in marriage according to their own interpretation in the socio‐cultural context of Hong Kong. It drove us to expand the understanding towards sexual dysfunctions with the concern of human alternatives or possibilities, veering round from etiology to understanding of human significance of sexual dysfunctions in contexts. This study adopted the interpretive research paradigm with emphasis of the principles of descriptive phenomenology and philosophical hermeneutics. 37
As results of the study, seven major themes arose from their interpretations: (a) there were diversified marital relationship and satisfaction for the spouses who had the experience of sexual dysfunctions in marriage; (b) the unique meaning and importance of sexual dysfunction in marriage was described upon the inter‐subjective views of the couples; (c) the spouses interpreted their experience of sexual difficulties in light of socio‐economic context, relational context and temporal context, more than biological given; (d) they interpreted the experience of sexual dysfunction in a horizon of temporality stretching through past, present and future, from the sphere of coitus to the sphere beyond coitus; (e) the spouses usually interpreted the significance of sexual dysfunction in view of their plan of reproduction; (f) stress arisen from busy life and occupied living condition in household and socio‐economic context was a prominent feature of their marital life; (g) the spouses sought alternatives for sexual and relational satisfaction apart from coitus, e.g. masturbation, caress, hug, kiss or sweet words. Experience in Service Practice within Mental Health Policy System in Mainland China: A Perspective of Policy Process Ms. Zhou Yang PhD Candidate, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Abstract: In mainland China, the system of mental health policy, mainly consisting of resource‐oriented perquisites and community‐based rehabilitation services, takes an up‐bottom policy model with little attention to the interaction among multiple subjects and its impact on policy in turn. Under Policy Process perspective, policy contexts and status are analyzed based on the description of service by related policies and subjects’ “daily life”, collected via the interviews and observations in the B City Y community; particularly the practical consequences and experiences are explored on the constructed subjects and agents’ interaction process. Research suggests the institutional exclusion in the up‐bottom policy made within the social contexts filling in social stigma, collectivism and rational choice. During the course of implementation, it apparently presents significant levels of policy makers, implementers and beneficiaries, whose multiple interactions directly forms the contextual services, protective, regulatory, gift‐exchanging, and powerful. Further, the research emphasizes the being constructed subjects including grassroots policy makers in dilemma, especially clients with reflective self‐identity, ability, and multi‐dimensional needs, of which the lack of recognition and admission eventually lead to welfare dependency, discount of rehabilitation, as well as the low efficiency in process to re‐socialization. It attempts to clarify the mental health policy situation, effects, and the construction process, and to gain the experience inspiring mental health policy formulation and implementation process guiding service practice, and ultimately to improve the welfare of the groups with mental illnesses. 38
Parents’ SES and Children’s Academic Performance in Urban China Ms. Wang Tingyan PhD Candidate, Department of Social Work & Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between parents’ socioeconomic status (SES) and children’s academic performance in Chinese context. The data is from the Family and Children Survey of Beijing in 2011 which involved 1,000 families with children in by employing multistage sampling. Considering children’s capability to finish the questionnaire, only those families with children aged 10 or above were included in the current study. Thus the subset for the current study comprises 298 children aged between 10‐17 and their parents. The preliminary exploratory analyses showed that age and gender were significant factors influencing children’s academic grades, with girls and younger children gaining higher grades. So in the subsequent analyses, these two factors were treated as control variables by modelling boys and girls separately and controlling for age during the regression analyses. As for the association between parents’ SES and children’s academic performance, different patterns were found between girls and boys. In contrast to boys’ case where parents’ SES exerted significant influences on their academic performance, girls’ academic performance was immune to parents’ SES. Furthermore, according to the multiple regression results, only father’s education showed significant and substantial impact on boys’ academic performance, whereas parents’ employment status, income and mother’s education level were excluded from the regression model. According to the results, boys are more vulnerable to be impacted by parents’ SES in their academic performance; and among the various dimensions of parents’ SES, father’s education is the most important factor in determining boys’ academic performance. Dementia Care in Urban China – Case Example of Guangzhou Ms. Wang Junfang PhD Candidate, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong Abstract: While the prevalent of dementia in mainland China is similar to other developed countries, there is limited research on dementia care in mainland China. The objectives of this research are to understand the situation of dementia care in China and to discuss the way forward. Methods: We conducted face‐to‐face interviews with 200 community dwelling dementia caregivers recruited from geriatric hospitals and community clinics in Guangzhou. We used a structured questionnaire to collect information on their caregiving experience. We also conducted 5 face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews with doctors and two focus groups with the social workers. Findings: The awareness and knowledge of dementia were very limited among the general public and primary care professionals. Many elders suffering from dementia were not properly diagnosed or diagnosed at a very late stage of the disease. Most nursing homes and day care centers were not ready to provide dementia care because they did not have any staffs trained in dementia care. Family members assumed most care without any supports. They were 39
challenged to understand the disease and to deal with dementia related behavior problems. The findings point toward a community based empowerment model for dementia care in China. 40
ORGANIZERS CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Centre of Social Policy In recent years, rapid social and economic development brings social policy interventions to the community. It is particularly important to investigate and assess these social problems in order to make effective recommendations for developing social policy, promoting social development and human welfare, and maintaining social stability. Therefore, it is essential to establish a high quality Social Policy Research Centre. In view of this, as the pioneer of social work education and social policy research in Chinese community and based on the long‐term partnership developed through academic exchanges and cooperation and a common pursuit of excellence for Social Policy Studies, the Department of Social Work of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Department of Social Work and Social Policy of Nankai University decided to set up the Joint Research Centre of Social Policy. As a collaboration on university level between CUHK and Nankai University, the centre was established in September 2008. By using the strengths and resources from both universities, the Centre serves as a pioneer to benefit the development, implementation, evaluation and analysis of knowledge and research of social policy in Chinese community. The Risk Society and Policy Research Centre, National Taiwan University Faced with the impact of globalization in recent years, Taiwan has been undergoing some great transformations. The country is encountering challenges of transformations in global, regional, and local society levels. More continuous fundamental researches in social welfare institution, population, industry, environment, energy and climate change are urgently needed. With a view to constructing the academic diversity together with interdisciplinary research, the Social Policy Research Center was founded by The College of Social Sciences at National Taiwan University in July, 2006. It was renamed as the Risk Society and Policy Research Center in November, 2013. The Risk Society and Policy Research Center now focuses on two primary axes of research‐‐‐‐“Social Security and Social Policy” and “Technology and Environment”. The aim of the research center is upgrading the knowledge society and lead Taiwanese society to have a deeper understanding of various drastic social changes and policy issues in contemporary times. Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong In 1964, the Department started offering an Undergraduate Programme in Social Work, the first of its kind in the history of the territory. Responding to the continuing development of social services in Hong Kong and the increasing demand for advanced professional social work training, the Department has launched a number of postgraduate programmes since 1977. At present, our Graduate Division offers six postgraduate degree programmes including 1 research programme and 5 taught master’s programmes. The mission of the Department of Social Work is to provide quality professional and academic training in social work, to develop knowledge related to social welfare and social work, and to make contribution to the social development in Hong Kong. For the Undergraduate Programme, the Department prepares students to be professionally competent social workers who are committed to the welfare of their clients and to social justice. For the postgraduate programmes, we provide advanced training for the 41
development of professional and academic leaders in the social welfare field. Students in different programs are encouraged to develop independent and critical thinking, identify with the humanistic values and ethics of the social work profession, maintain a special concern for the vulnerable groups in society, and keep abreast of current social issues. The Department strives to be a leading center on social work education and research in Chinese communities. Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University The Department of Social Work and Social Policy at Nankai University, is ranked as one of the best in mainland China and has experienced glorious history in past 16 years. The department derives from the social work undergraduate programme (BMW) firstly established in 1997, and was formally founded in 2003. In 2009, it had a MSW programme, a MSW programme, and a PhD Programme. At present, responding to the continuing development of social services in China, the department has launched a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including Social Security, Demography and Social Work. The faculty members of the department are respected and recognized scholars in social work, who have produced abundant research in fields of social work, social policy, social welfare, family, gender and so forth. Moreover, several excellent professors from the departments of sociology, social psychology and politic science are also invited to join the department to give students interdisciplinary trainings. Furthermore, the department also has firm cooperative relationships with more than 40 government and non‐government institutions and organizations at home and abroad, which can provide ample opportunities for professional social work internship and academic exchange. The department also provided various training programmes in the Social Work, Social Security and Social Policy fields to the professionals who work in the government, social service organizations, colleges and universities, public media and community. CO‐ORGANIZERS Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chung Chi College was founded in 1951 by representatives of Protestant Churches in Hong Kong to fill the need for a local institution of higher education that would be both Chinese and Christian. The College aims to provide further education in accordance with Christian traditions so that its students can develop an open‐mindedness along with a thorough understanding of both Western and Chinese cultures. The College was incorporated as one of the three founding Colleges of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1963. Chung Chi College provides students with ample opportunities and facilities to broaden their horizons, to enrich their knowledge about social issues, and to strengthen their leadership and communication skills. The College’s motto is ”In Pursuit of Excellence” which means all Chung Chi men and women should always strive to improve themselves for serving the society in the best way possible. 42
School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol The School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol is one of the top five centres for research in social work and social policy in the UK. It comprises seven multidisciplinary research centres, including specialist centres in Poverty and Social Justice, Child and Family Welfare, Health and Social Care, and Gender and Violence research. The School is a core member of the government‐funded National School for Social Care Research. Research projects are funded by UK research councils, central government departments, charitable foundations and local authorities. Postgraduate social work education carried out in the School has an international reputation for quality and innovation. Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University The Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work (FSW) offers social work programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The BSW program, located at Laurier’s Brantford campus, offers a generalist BSW with a unique focus on Aboriginal issues. The MSW program has three fields of study: Individuals, Families, and Groups; Community, Policy, Planning, and Organizations; and Aboriginal Wholistic Healing. The PhD program provides students with opportunities for advanced scholarship and professional growth in two fields of study: Studies in Social Work Practice, and Critical Social Policy and Organizational Studies. Since its inception in 1966, the FSW has developed a national and international reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and practicum instruction. Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto We are Canada’s first school of social work – this year we celebrate our 100th anniversary. Today the Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social Work ranks first among schools of social work in Canada and fifth in North America recognized for its research productivity. The Faculty’s integration of research and practice contributes to our reputation as an innovator in social work research, teaching and practice. The research we are doing is highly relevant and accessible. Our studies are generating new knowledge, informing social work practice and influencing government policy at both the federal and provincial level. We believe that our work with communities, organizations, families and individuals must be based on the best available knowledge in order to ensure that our interventions are successful. Thriving on long‐standing partnerships with a wide community of agencies and services, we now have important partnerships with over 300 community agencies. In fact, we collaborate in our research with many of these organizations and social service agencies on relevant and vital issues. Today, the FIFSW is a dynamic and engaged community, in a strong position to explore society’s increasingly complex global challenges. Backed by the Boundless campaign for the Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, we are embracing a leadership role in social work education and research as we implement the ambitious goals of our latest Academic Plan, “Towards A Better Tomorrow.” School of Social Work, University of Southern California The University of Southern California's School of Social Work (www.usc.edu/socialwork) ranks among the top accredited social work graduate programs in the United States. A recognized 43
leader in academic innovation, experiential learning, online education and translational research, the school prepares students for leadership roles in public and private organizations that serve individuals, families and communities in need. USC is dedicated to reinventing the profession, furthering knowledge and changing social institutions locally, nationally and globally. The school has made innovation a signature feature of its academic and research enterprise, leveraging technology in social work education, clinical practice, research and community development, as evidenced through the creation of an advanced online platform for distance learning, virtual humans for graduate‐level teaching, and a university‐based clinic offering mental health services over the Internet. USC is also a campus exemplar for its research efforts led by the Hamovitch Center for Science in the Human Services, the first endowed center for interdisciplinary social work research. The center is home to specialized research clusters that bring together distinguished groups of investigators with common academic interests, allowing for meaningful opportunities to foster interdisciplinary and community collaboration and bolster high‐impact research. The goal is to support the expansion of scholarship and innovative research by identifying and developing existing areas of excellence within the school, including issues of aging; behavior, health and society; child development and children’s services; homelessness, housing and social environment; management, organizations and policy transformation; military; and serious mental illness. Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales The Social Policy Research Centre is a specialist research centre based in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at UNSW Australia, internationally recognised as a lively and progressive faculty, combining outstanding scholarship in foundation disciplines and interdisciplinary fields, with a commitment to public engagement and social impact. We undertake cutting edge research on all aspects of social policy, provide multi‐disciplinary postgraduate research training in a stimulating and supportive environment, and foster intellectual discussion on the nature and consequences of social policy and on the social needs and processes which give rise to it. Our research, which utilises a variety of approaches, extends across a wide range of social policy topics which are organised into six research programs: care; disability and mental health; households, families and communities; Indigenous policy and participation; inequality, poverty and social ex/inclusion; and social policy administration and organisation. We also actively research in the area of Chinese Social Policy. SPONSORS Faculty of Social Science, CUHK Faculty of Social Science consists of six departments and two schools, which are staffed by distinguished scholars and dedicated teachers, namely School of Architecture, Department of Economics, Department of Geography and Resource Management, Department of Government and Public Administration, School of Journalism and Communication, Department of Psychology, Department of Social Work and Department of Sociology. They are united in their common goal of grooming young men and women to become globally competitive 44
professionals. Both Bachelor of Social Science students and postgraduate students will further benefit from the cultural and structural diversity of these departments and schools, and their multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and research. Many students of the Faculty have received top honours including the Rhodes Scholarship, the Fulbright Grant, the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship for Postgraduate Research Students, and many other highly competitive prizes and awards. Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chung Chi College was founded in 1951 by representatives of Protestant Churches in Hong Kong to fill the need for a local institution of higher education that would be both Chinese and Christian. The College aims to provide further education in accordance with Christian traditions so that its students can develop an open‐mindedness along with a thorough understanding of both Western and Chinese cultures. The College was incorporated as one of the three founding Colleges of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1963. Chung Chi College provides students with ample opportunities and facilities to broaden their horizons, to enrich their knowledge about social issues, and to strengthen their leadership and communication skills. The College’s motto is ”In Pursuit of Excellence” which means all Chung Chi men and women should always strive to improve themselves for serving the society in the best way possible. New Asia College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong New Asia College was founded in 1949 at a time of extreme adversity by Mr. Ch’ien Mu and other scholars from mainland China. Their objective was to establish an educational institution which combines the essence of the scholarship of the Song and Ming academies and the tutorial system of Western universities. With humanism as its basis, the College also aimed to facilitate cultural exchanges between East and West and to promote peace and well‐being of the human race. United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong More than five decades have passed since its establishment, United College was founded by farsighted leaders to nurture young talent for the Hong Kong community. Unswerving in its mission, United College has successfully served our rapidly developing society in an ever‐changing world. The College leadership has been instrumental in founding a number of pioneering departments in response to the needs of Hong Kong society. Shining examples include the Department of Social Work in 1964, the Department of Government and Public Administration and the Department of Electronic Engineering in 1970, and the Department of Biochemistry in 1971. These examples reflected College’s strive for innovation and its heart for Hong Kong. 45
Organizers: CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Centre of Social Policy The Risk Society and Policy Research Centre, National Taiwan University Department of Social Work, CUHK Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University Co‐organizers: Chung Chi College, CUHK School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto School of Social Work, University of Southern California Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales Person‐in‐charge: Professor Ma Lai‐chong, Joyce Chairperson, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Ngai Sek‐yum Steven Director, CUHK‐Nankai Joint Research Centre of Social Policy The Chinese University of Hong Kong Secretary: Contact person: Ms. Ng Lai‐yin Carol Project Coordinator, Department of Social Work, CUHK Telephone: 852‐3943 1709 Fax: 852‐2603 5018 Email: [email protected] Address: Room 401, T. C. Cheng Building, United College, CUHK 46
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