The rise of social problems and needs resulting from various changes in policies and structures among social groups during the past decade has led to a high demand for professional social workers all over Mainland China.

As social work training programs are rapidly developing and more Social Work Departments are gradually set up in universities in China, the qualification and standard of the profession has been highly noted by the Government. In order to establish Social Work as an occupation, there is an urge to set up a national occupation qualification system. The National Labor Force & Social Security Department has recently appointed a work group to be responsible for drafting the National Standard of Social Work Occupation.

In May 2004, the work group organized a one-day consultation meeting for the proposed draft. Experts and leaders in the social work field from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and HKSAR were invited to discuss and comment on the draft. Our Chief Executive, Mr. Ng Shui Lai was among the individuals being invited. We are honored to take part in this consultation process and do wish to see that social work becomes an occupation in China and a profession very soon.