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The International Conference on Social Work Innovation: Theory and Practice in the New Development Stage concluded today at Peking University with resounding success. The two-day conference, held from November 24th to November 25th, 2023, has brought together nearly 250 participants from various countries and regions, including the Mainland China, Hong Kong, Belarus,  Ethiopia, India , Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines,  Vietnam, and the United States of America.  

Jointly organised by the Department of Sociology at Peking University and the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, including its China and Global Development Network, and Peking University – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University China Social Work Research Centre, the conference commenced with an inspiring opening ceremony featuring esteemed speakers such as Professor Zhou Feizhou, Head of the Department of Sociology at Peking University, and Professor Eric Chui, Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Their thought-provoking addresses set the stage for engaging discussions throughout the event. 

 Participants actively participated in keynote speeches, plenary sessions, and parallel forums, delving into a wide range of topics related to Innovation and Social Work Education, Technology, Innovation and Social Work Practice, Alternative Social Development and Social Policy Innovation. In the closing ceremony, Prof. Ku Hok Bun emphasised "Source-tracing - The Root of Love" in social work innovation. Core questions: Innovation for what? Innovation for whom? How to innovate? Innovation effect? Social work needs innovative talents with creative minds, artful thinking, an entrepreneurial spirit, a servant heart, and a reflexive body.

The conference concluded with gratitude to participants, emphasising the importance of advancing social work through innovation. Participants expressed their enthusiasm about the conference's outcomes and the potential for future collaborations to drive social work innovation forward.