Rutgers School of Social Work Co-Hosts International Symposium on Children and Youth Health and Well-Being in Macao
On November 22 and 23, Rutgers School of Social Work co-hosted the 2024 International Symposium on Children and Youth Health and Well-Being with the Faculty of Health Sciences of University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macao Observatory for Social Development at USJ, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and the Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, with supported from the Hong Kong Shue Yan University Social Work Department and sponsored by the Macao Foundation.
Organized for the second time after a successful inaugural event in 2023, the interdisciplinary symposium gave scholars, practitioners, and decision-makers the opportunity to connect and make meaningful contributions to knowledge and policy building on children and youth health and well-being.
"Social work researchers, leaders, and scholars from around the world had the rare opportunity to come together in person to foster dialogue that will create real and impactful change in the field of child well-being," said George Leibowitz, Dean and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers School of Social Work. "The symposium also served as a catalyst for establishing partnerships that I expect will grow and thrive for many years to come. I am grateful to everyone who was involved in the planning of the event and contributed to its success. Particularly, I'd like to thank my colleagues, Drs. Chien-Chung Huang and Rebecca Davis, for their leadership in organizing such a productive and collaborative experience for all.”
Researchers from the United States, China, Portugal, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines presented more than 100 papers at the symposium. Dean Leibowitz delivered a keynote speech on innovative community-engaged research to enhance adolescent and young adult well-being. Rutgers faculty and doctoral students, including Dr. Vivien (Wen Li) Anthony (Associate Professor and Scientific Director for Video Gaming and eSports at the Center for Gambling Studies), Dr. Rebecca Davis (Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Office of Global Social Work Programs), Jordan Goodwin (Graduate Assistant and Doctoral Student), and Dr. Chien-Chung Huang (Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor), gave four presentations on children and youth research at the symposium.
“The Symposium brought together a global community of scholars to share innovative research and foster meaningful collaborations. By co-hosting this impactful event, Rutgers School of Social Work had the privilege of advancing critical conversations and promoting actionable insights to enhance the well-being of children and youth worldwide,” said Associate Dean Huang.
