A workshop on social work with sustainable development was jointly held by Plan International in Vietnam and the Vocational Training and Social Activities Association in Hanoi on December 15-16.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Thi Hang, Chairwoman of the Chairperson of the Vocational Training and Social Activities Association, highlighted the Party and State’s special attention to social work by issuing numerous legal documents in social security, such as the Labour Code, the laws on social insurance, education, protection and care of children, people with disabilities and HIV/AIDS fight.

According to a report from Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam’s social work is facing numerous challenges with a large number of people in need of social support. There are over 9 million elders, 6.7 million people with disabilities, 2.7 million social assistance beneficiaries, and 1.5 million children in difficult circumstances.

Hang, who is also former Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said she believes that the workshop will serve as a forum for local and foreign delegates to share experience in the role of social work for sustainable development, human resources and training.

Luu Quang Dai, acting programme director of Plan International, described social work as an occupation and a science, requiring the competent and professional human resources.

According to Dai, social work covers researches on policy development, community development and direct intervention targeting people affected by poverty, diseases and others.

During the two-day workshop, participants focus their discussions on topics relating to general issues on social work, human resources and training, and social work practice./.