The Trajectory of Social Work Education in Macao: In Search of Opportunities and Development

Abstract

This paper discusses the history and uniqueness of social work education in Macao, a small city in southern China, with a small population and an economy driven mainly by gambling and the tourism industry. The population of Macao has grown over the past 10 years creating increasing demands for social services. In response, the Macao government has adopted a proactive role in social service planning and the development of innovative services to meet newly emerging needs. Macao is now in a stage of new development in social services, with ample opportunities and challenges. Professional training, professional associations and accrediting organizations form a sophisticated interlocking system that reflects the development of a profession and its level of maturity. Social work education is playing a significant role in the development of professional social services and in enhancing the professionalization of social work, though the process is slow. This paper argues that reasons for the slow progress are manifold. It is expected that there will be further developments in social work education in Macao, and its interplay with the expansion of social welfare services will certainly set a new scene for the social work profession.