Peking University, Beijing, May 24th, 2009: Sichuanearthquake saw its first anniversary. International Symposium on Social Work and Post-Disaster Reconstruction Plan & Management was held jointly by PKU China Social Work Research Center, China Association for Social Work Education, International Association of Schools of Social Work, American Social Work Education Committee and PKU China Social Work Journal Editorial Committee. The theme of the symposium is the role and status of social work in the reconstruction and post-disaster assistance.

Zhang Guoyou, PKU Vice President, Liu Zheng, Deputy Director of Ministry of Civil Affairs Social Work Office, Zeng Yuanqi, Chairman of International Association of Schools of Social Work and Director of Peking university-Hong Kong Polytechnic University China Social Work Research Center, Wang Sibin, Chairman of China Social Work Education Association, Director of Peking University-Hong Kong Poly University China Social Work Research Center, Professor of PKU Department and the Institute of Sociology and Anthropology, Prof. Jin Shenger, Chairman of Asia Pacific Social Work Education Association, Prof. Kensaku Ohashi, Chairman of Japan Association of Schools of Social Work, Principal of Japan College of Social Work attended and addressed the meeting.

Well known experts and scholars from the United States, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, Mongolia and more than 10 countries, as well as from China Hong Kong and the mainland were invited.

Topics of this meeting include: a broader understanding of post-disaster planning, management and response to disasters; to improve social work professionals' concern towards various interest groups in global; various disaster response strategy; to add post-disaster response into areas of social work courses.

The meeting lasted one and a half days. The participating scholars shared their experience of participation in disaster reconstruction, and fully discussed the meaning and useful way of social work from the perspective of social work values, intervention, the residents’ need, to the power of the non-government power 's relation with the government etc.

Since the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake, the Chinese social work experts and a number of non-governmental organizations have been actively involved in disaster relief and reconstruction work. The State Council Premier Wen Jiabao spoke highly of the activities and the local officers welcomed them too.

The meeting provided a platform on which China and other countries can exchange opinion towards post-disaster relief and development issues.

Translated by: Xiang Yunke

Edited by: Wang Yi