Child welfare NGOs in Hong Kong: Does advocacy work?

Abstract

This article examined advocacy strategies and barriers of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the child welfare sector in Hong Kong. Drawing on seven case studies, the dynamics between social workers’ role as advocates on one hand, and the need for their organizations to fulfill contractual obligations with the government on the other are revealed. We found that the ambivalent political environment and the subvention system defining existing relationships between the government and NGOs appear to restrict the social work profession’s mandates toward advocacy. Legal reforms that define what is permissible advocacy work by NGOs while protecting their right to do so are urgently needed.

Understanding social justice in a changing sociopolitical context: The perspective of social workers in Hong Kong

“…However, since the social unrest in 2019, there have been no spaces for them to perform the same duties as before. Even prior to the social movements, it was not uncommon among individuals with a pro-establishment stance to view advocacy as a subversive activity (Jordan et al, 2020). Social workers’ active participation at the forefront of the protests and support of the protesters have been taken as evidence that activist social workers are perceived as having subversive power in the eyes of an authoritarian regime.…”

Opportunities for organizational learning and innovation: A nonprofit case study duringCOVID‐19 in Hong Kong

“…The city borders Mainland China, where COVID‐19 outbreak first occurred. SDNPOs in Hong Kong have long collaborated closely with the government to respond to the social needs of society and provide over 90% of social welfare services in Hong Kong (Jordan et al, 2020 ). Typically, Hong Kong's social service delivery model is center‐based and heavily professionally driven; welfare service users are typically seen as passive recipients of welfare (Cheng et al, 2013 ).…”