'Innovation – Sharing: On Women's Development and Social Work' Seminar Held in Beijing

Seminar titled "Innovation – Sharing: On Women's Development and Social Work” was held in Beijing on October 10-11. It is co-sponsored by China Women's University (CWU) and the Specialized Committee of Women's Social Work of the China Social Work Education Association (CSWEA). Some 100 people, including college leaders and teachers, cadres from women federations at various levels and representatives of women's social organizations, attended the seminar.

The topics discussed at the seminar included how social work education responds to the development of women's work, and how women's federations integrate and mobilize the resources of social work and social work education to jointly promote the development of women in the process of the reform of mass organizations.

Professor Xu Yongxiang, president of CSWEA, pointed out in his speech that social work in China has developed for over 100 years and it is necessary to have this seminar in the important moment while women's federations at all levels actively promote the reform of women's groups and organizations. Professor Guan Xinping, executive vice president of CSWEA, discussed social policies and the challenges for social work from the perspective of women's active protection. Professor Liu Meng, vice president of CWU and CSWEA, and Professor Ma Fengzhi, vice president and secretary general of CSWEA, carried out an in-depth analysis on the relationship between reform and social work/women's social work, reform emphasis and difficulties and action strategies. Professor Shen Jie from Japan Women's University reviewed the process and characteristics of the construction of Japanese women's welfare theory and its influence on women's social work practice.

At the seminar, three sub-forums were arranged to discuss "gender issues in social work", "local women's social work practice and professional personnel training" and "women federations' work and reform." Attendees shared their research findings and practical experience in their respective fields, discussed the significance, value and development path of social work education for women and how to participate in the cause of women's rights protection and development. At the same time, they reflected that women's federations should value political stand, advanced nature and the "mass line" in the process of reform, whilst having a better understanding of the position of women's federations in serving women.

Participants agreed that women's federations, women's social organizations and social work should make efforts together in order to effectively achieve the goal of reform. The seminar further promoted research results and practical experiences about the development of women's social work in China in recent years and encouraged women's federations at all levels to exchange practices of exploration and innovation in the reform of women's groups and organizations. It also provided a platform for exchanges and cooperation for women's studies and practical fields, strengthened the training of women social workers, and has played a positive role in promoting the development of women's cause in China.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and Edited by Study Gender Network)