The workshop attracted hundreds of experts, scientists, and policymakers from 22 countries, territories, and within the country.Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the university, emphasized: With a pioneering mission in training and research in social work in Vietnam, the university places special emphasis on developing research in the field of social work. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has strengthened international cooperation in this field to enhance the training of high-quality human resources for the social work sector, contributing to the creation of a sustainable society.
Recognizing the societal need for social work, the Faculty of Sociology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, collaborated with partners to organize an international conference on the theme “Making a Difference – Barrier-Free Social Work: Towards Sustainable Development and Emergency Response”. Here, experts will explore different dimensions of barrier-free social work in the context of adapting to sustainable development and responding to emergencies.
The conference attracted the participation of 150 Vietnamese scholars and more than 90 scholars from 22 countries around the world, including China, Italy, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Israel, Laos, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, India, Albania, Uganda, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Egypt, Zambia, Somalia, and South Korea.
The workshop also received 50 full papers, including 28 papers from international scholars and 22 papers from Vietnamese scholars. The papers focused on a wide range of topics, from training and development of social work in line with sustainable development goals and regional development cooperation; to implications for the governance of social work services and practice in a high-risk society.
Focusing on social work towards sustainable development.Social work has developed significantly and affirmed its indispensable role in the sustainable development goals of many countries around the world for over 100 years. In Vietnam, although only taking its first steps in the professionalization process, social work has been and is affirming its role in assisting individuals, families, and communities in need, aiming to ensure comprehensive social security for all citizens, in line with the overarching goals of the Vietnamese Party and State.
In recent years, the world has undergone profound changes, with climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic creating a “New Normal” for individuals, groups, communities, nations, and the globe. These challenging issues demand a new vision and global collaboration to address shared problems and individual difficulties.
Given its crucial role, social work needs to adapt and evolve to guide and foster sustainable development from the individual to the global level, addressing both micro and macro human issues. In this context, sharing experiences and learning from each other is vital, and this includes the "Hanoi Declaration on Promoting Social Work," which aims for a cohesive and proactive ASEAN Community, adopted at the 37th ASEAN Summit, with Vietnam chairing and actively participating in its implementation.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi highly appreciated the initiative of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi in organizing the international scientific conference on barrier-free social work.Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi, Vice Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, stated that social work has affirmed its role and strong development in Vietnam and the world. Vietnam recognizes that this work plays a very important role in social welfare and sustainable development. The Vice Minister welcomed the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, for organizing this meaningful workshop aimed at addressing many challenges facing society, such as: interpersonal relationships, mental health care for children and people with disabilities, social security, the elderly, poverty, social evils, and many other social issues.
He emphasized that Vietnam has a great need for social work, with millions of people facing difficulties requiring care and attention, while resources in this field are limited. Therefore, through the workshop, experts and scientists from both within and outside the country will be able to propose practical solutions such as contributing to raising awareness about social work, strengthening international cooperation, and contributing to assessing the current state of training in this field in Vietnam.
He outlined the current situation and needs of Vietnam in social work and the networks of training institutions for social work. In the coming period, focus will be placed on organizing numerous programs related to mental health care, clarifying social work in the fields of war invalids and social affairs, child protection, etc., coordinating with the Ministry of Education and Training to improve the quality of social work staff and teaching at universities, and promoting communication and international cooperation. The focus will be on discussing and sharing new perspectives on social work internationally, addressing and responding to epidemics and climate change. The assessment of training in this field and the development of social work training and solutions will be evaluated. Recommendations will be made to improve policies and laws to develop training methods that are more relevant to practice, so that within the next five years, this field will be on par with international standards.
Associate Professor Dr. Dao Thanh Truong - Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, commented: After 15 years of implementing the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the UN Summit on Sustainable Development adopted the document "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" with 17 goals and 169 targets for global sustainable development (SDGs). The commitment of 189 countries, including Vietnam, participating in this document shows a high level of consensus towards achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring the comprehensive well-being of people in the context of facing environmental disasters and economic and social inequality. In humanity's journey towards sustainable development, social work plays a pioneering role – both guiding and directing, as well as preventing risks in the development process, not only at the macro level such as national, regional, and organizational levels, but also at the micro level with individual families and individuals.
In recent years, geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and the Covid-19 pandemic have redefined our thinking and actions in many aspects of economic, psychological, and social life. This has created new demands for leadership and implementation, emphasizing global collaboration to address common problems and specific challenges. Within the VUCA context, sharing experiences and learning from each other is crucial. It is the first step towards building trust, which in turn leads to comprehensive and sustainable cooperation in the future.
Assessments from international expertsProfessor Eric Chui, Head of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China), added that this workshop will be the beginning of in-depth cooperation between Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and will contribute to solutions to address the pressing social issues facing Vietnam. Here, experts in the field of social work will work together to build a social care network, helping vulnerable people in society overcome their difficulties.
Professor Annamaria Campanini, President of the International Association of Social Work Schools, emphasized the need for close cooperation to effectively meet societal needs such as education and employment. She stressed the need to innovate and reform training programs to produce professionals capable of meeting global demands. Through this workshop, experts will assess the needs facing Vietnam, and from there, develop plans and provide advice to address immediate issues, aiming for a solid foundation and creating fairness and harmony across all sectors of Vietnam.
- Training in social work for sustainable development from a borderless and multidisciplinary perspective (Plenary Session);
- From responsive to proactive: Developing a social work curriculum to guide students to adapt to a changing world (Plenary Session 01)
- Regional cooperation and development (Plenary Session 02);
- Managing Change in a High-Risk Society: Implications for Social Work Service Management and Practice (Plenary Session 03);
- Looking Towards the Future/Next Roadmap: Perspectives and Lessons from ASEAN Countries
- Global standards for social work training: guidance for local and regional application/or Social work curriculum design: Community risk reduction and sustainable development (Session 1A);
- Designing a curriculum for Social Work: Community Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development (Session 1B);
- Social development/social welfare in the world (Session 1C)
- Social Issues and the Role of Social Work (Session 1D)
- Research on Action in Social Work (Session 2A)
- Social work and sustainable development/Climate change and its impact on vulnerable groups (Session 2B)
- Curriculum on Social Work with Children and Families/Healthcare/Persons with Disabilities/Fieldwork and Social Work Practice: Issues and Challenges (Session 2C)
- Social work with the elderly and in the school environment: Current situation and social work interventions (Session 2D)
- Psychosocial support in a changing context: implications for social work practice and training (Session 3A)
- Enhancing the capacity of social work services to respond to communities at risk (Session 3B)
- Regional cooperation: Experiences and lessons from research and practice (Session 3C)
- Cooperation between international non-governmental organizations and international organizations in supporting ASEAN countries in social work (Session 3D).
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY
Department of SociologyThe Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, was established in 1991. In 1997, the Faculty of Sociology became an independent unit. Over more than 30 years of development, the Faculty of Sociology has become a leading institution nationwide and enjoys high international prestige in training and research in Sociology, Social Work, and many related fields.
Currently, the Faculty is the only unit in the country that trains social work professionals at all three levels: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral. In its mission of development, the Faculty has trained a team of social work lecturers and researchers for educational and research institutions throughout the country.
Here are some highlights from the workshop:
Education and Times Newspaper:Social work without barriers towards sustainable development
Social Welfare (Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs):We need to create differentiation and remove barriers in social work.
Nhan Dan Newspaper: "Borderless" social work towards sustainable development.
Vietnam National University, Hanoi: Social work without barriers: Towards sustainable development and emergency response.
Dan Tri Newspaper: Social work promotes the goal of sustainable development.
Vietnam Science and Technology Magazine: Social work towards sustainable development
