On 11 January 2025, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Youth (Thailand), the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Social Work Professions Council of Thailand, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), and the ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW), hosted a seminar on migration, family strengthening, and alternative care for children at the MSDHS headquarters in Thailand.
This landmark event marked the first initiative following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PolyU and the Social Work Professions Council of Thailand. The partnership aims to enhance the professional development of social workers and child protection practitioners in Thailand. Participants, including policymakers, senior social workers, and child protection professionals, engaged in an exchange of ideas and gained valuable insights from esteemed international experts.
Prof. Antoinette Lombard, Professor of Social Work at the University of Pretoria and President of IASSW, discussed the needs and challenges faced by refugees and their children in South Africa.
Prof. Eric Chui, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS, delivered a presentation on “Alternative Care for Children,” highlighting innovative approaches to child protection in Hong Kong.
The conference concluded with remarks from Ms. Apinya Chomphumath, Director General of the Department of Children and Youth, MSDHS. She expressed her gratitude to the participants for recognizing the vital contributions of social workers in child protection.
This collaboration reflects the shared commitment between PolyU and global organizations to improve child protection systems and foster regional knowledge exchange.
