The 9th International Conference on Social Work in Health and MentalHealth which took place at York University from 22 to 26 July 2019garnered approximately 550 social work practitioners, educators,administrators, and policy makers from 44 countries.

Over the past 9 years, each host country has aspired to bring the worldof social work to its people and to showcase its best practices to theworld. Having been part of the international virtual steering committeethat drove the conference for the past decade, I was heartened to learnthat the Israeli representatives would be hosting the 2022 conference,ensuring the continuity of the conference.

9TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ONSOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH ANDMENTAL HEALTH IN YORK, UK

by Dr Goh Soon Noi, HOD, Medical Social Services, Changi General Hospital

International Steering Committee

Singapore was represented by over40 delegates from more than 20hospitals and social serviceagencies. We presented over 20papers showcasing social work inthe health and mental healthsettings in Singapore. We were oneof the largest contingents alongsideAustralia, USA, Britain, and Israel.

Encouragingly, many of the otherparticipants could fondly recallthe 2016 conference held inSingapore.

This conference series has benefitedfrom the guidance of stalwarts likeProf Irwin Epstein from USA, Prof UriUviram and Gail Auslander fromIsrael and Prof Cecilia Chan fromHong Kong to ensure its relevanceas a viable platform for healthsocial workers to exchange ideasand network.

They have contributed to the hostcountries’ participation, for exampleSingapore became involved with therecommendation of Hong Kong andAustralia, York UK over a few drinksbetween Prof Irwin Epstein andMartin Weber, and Israel through itslong history of collaboration withMount Sinai Hospital, USA.

"WHAT DID I TAKE AWAY FROM THE CONFERENCE?"

The conference is recognised as acredible platform for thecollaboration of ideas andnetworking. This is evident fromthe high regard and wideacceptance by social workers andthe extensive participationgarnered across the various socialwork sectors in Singapore.

Soon Noi with Brian (Israel), Lynette, Gail (Israel),

Hadas (Israel), Dorcas (Singapore) and Vokda (Israel)

This effectively renders it the “go to” conference for social workers inSingapore. Accordingly, we need to continue to develop qualityscholarship that would advance our standing in the international arena.

I am elated to have been invited to co-chair the International ScientificCommittee for the 10th International Conference in Jerusalem atHebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center from 3 to 7 July 2022.

I am looking forward to sharing more with you at the next availableopportunity!