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China grants 35,000 social work certificates in 2009

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-07 17:22
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A total of 35,000 people have obtained the professional certificate of social work in 2009 after passing a nationwide test, which would help improve the country's social services evaluation system, minister of Civil Affairs Li Xueju said Thursday.

The training of professional social workers was within the framework of the national talent development, Li said at a national civil affairs work meeting Thursday in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan province.

Pilot projects had been launched in 260 units in 163 places, Li said, without elaborating.

Social work was a universal profession committed to preventing and resolving social problems with expertise, to help others and promote social justice.

Professional social services are considered to be conducive to resolving at the grassroots social problems that have emerged in China along with the country's rapid economic and social development.

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Social workers usually serve in fields of social welfare, social assistance, social charity and community services.

Li said the ministry would launch more projects this year in training social workers and sending them to rural, poor and border areas.

The first nationwide proficiency test for social workers was held in June 2008, emphasizing theories and practical solutions to social problems.

The ministry also revealed at the meeting that up to 1.5 million vagrants and beggars had received aid in the past year, 10 percent of whom were under the age of 18.