The Third Annual Meeting of the Collaboration Mechanism for Chinese Social Work Held at City University of Macau

The Collaboration Mechanism for Chinese Social Work was initiated by the World Philanthropy Forum with the mission of supporting the cultivation of leading talents in the field of social services, and developing professionalism and sustainability of social work. Annual meetings on the Mechanism have been held every year since 2017.

The first annual meeting was held on November 29th, 2017 in Beijing, with the theme of "Collaboration for Chinese Social Work"; the second one was held on December 14th, 2018 in the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), with the theme of "Education for Chinese Social Work: Innovation and Enlightenment"; the third one was held on December 4th and 5th in City University of Macau, with the theme of "Innovation in Social Work Education and Development of the Future Social Service Ecosystem".

China's central government issued the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), which encourages to strengthen cooperation among mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in the field of social welfare, especially to strengthen the professional training and exchange of social workers among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, continuous optimization of social services is one of the most important policies of the Hong Kong SAR government and the Macau SAR government. In order to cope with the continuous renewal and development of the society, the thinking and methods of social work education should also pursue innovation and breakthrough. It is urgent to promote the innovation of social work education. At the same time, social work services also need new development direction to solve the social problems and challenges caused by social changes and economic development. 

The Meeting has invited Chinese experts and scholars from both sides of the Strait as well as other countries, including Prof. Ngai Sek-yum Steven, Chairperson of the Department of Social Work at CUHK; Associate Prof. Ho Chong-Kin, Department Head of Innovative Social Work at City University of Macau; Associate Prof. Chan Kan Kam, Program Director of Social Work at Macau Polytechnic Institute; Mr. Huang Zhenping, Deputy Director of the Institute for Philanthropy Tsinghua University; Prof. Chen Hsiu-Hui, Director of the Department of Social Work at Tunghai University; Prof. Lam Ching-man, President of Hong Kong of Social Workers Association; and Prof. Liu Qinglong from Tsinghua University. They delivered thematic presentations on the professional registration of social work and the current status and prospect of China's legal framework for social work, shared the experience of Hong Kong and conducted in-depth discussion. They also discussed issues ranging from the foundation of scientific research to practical work, prepare for the development and challenges of society in the future based on research, science & technology and innovative thinking. By virtue of the opportunity, the Meeting aims to allow international scholars and professionals engaged in Chinese social work education and social services to jointly discuss a new round of international development strategies.