Session 4

Indigenous and Community-Based Social Work

Moderator: Mr. Ben Chun-Wah Cheng (Lecturer, Practicum program director, City University of Macau, China)

O4.1  How Place Remaking Generates New Endogenous Development: The Transformation Mechanism of Hollowed-out Traditional Villages — A Case Study of Longtan Village

*Junyi Su¹, Chunsen Tang¹

¹School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China

Abstract

Background and Purposes: Traditional villages, within the context of rural revitalization, are undergoing a critical transformation from “preservation” to “development.” A key challenge lies in how to activate endogenous development dynamics while maintaining the integrity of cultural heritage. Drawing on the theories of cultural reproduction and the production of space, this study takes Longtan Village in Pingnan County, Fujian Province, as a case to examine the internal mechanisms through which traditional villages transition from hollowing-out to cultural regeneration.

Methods: This study adopts a single-case research design, employing a process-tracing and longitudinal analytical approach to reconstruct the transformation trajectory of Longtan Village. It focuses on how cultural elements are embedded into spatial practices and the mechanisms through which such interactions unfold.

Results: The findings reveal that the transformation of traditional villages is not driven by a single factor, but emerges through the dynamic interaction of three dimensions—spatial practice, representations of space, and representational space—during the embedding of cultural elements into spatial processes. Cultural practices reintegrate material space into everyday life, representations of space enable multiple actors to reorganize cultural and spatial structures, and representational space generates new social relations and spatial identities through ongoing interaction. In this process, the production of space and cultural reproduction become mutually embedded, jointly constituting the underlying mechanism of village “reproduction.”

Conclusions and Implications: The study suggests that the revitalization of traditional villages hinges on activating spatial use through cultural practices, shaping spatial meanings through multi-actor collaboration, and fostering new development dynamics through sustained social interaction. This process facilitates a shift from exogenous dependence to endogenous development. By integrating the perspectives of cultural reproduction and the production of space, this study provides a novel analytical framework and empirical insights for understanding endogenous development pathways of traditional villages in the context of rural revitalization.

O4.2  Byahen Pag-asa (Journey to Hope) Family Reconciliation Model

*Carmy Erika Bumanlag1,2

¹University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; ²Asuncion A. Perez Memorial Center, Inc., Manila City, Philippines

Abstract

Background and Purposes: In the Philippines, Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) are placed in a facility called Bahay Pag-asa (House of Hope), which serves as a temporary shelter while the youth await case disposition. Despite the holistic interventions provided in the facility and the goal of preparing the youth for reintegration as productive members of society, recidivism remains a significant concern. Literature also emphasizes that unresolved family conflicts and weak familial support during the rehabilitation process contribute to unsuccessful reintegration, as sustained recovery largely depends on the degree of support received from loved ones (Visher et al., 2004). Moreover, when the environment inside the facility significantly differs from the home setting, reintegration becomes more difficult; however, fostering healthy family interaction during confinement can yield long-term benefits and reduce recidivism rates (Wakefield, 2016). Hence, intervention programs must be grounded in the familial factors contributing to delinquency, so that they can directly address these underlying conditions. Therefore, the study aims to develop and implement the Byaheng Pag-asa (Journey to Hope) Family Reconciliation Model to equip families for CICLs reintegration, enhance community and local government involvement in the rehabilitation process, and reduce recidivism among CICLs.

Methods: The model followed a quasi-experimental design utilizing pre-test and post-test evaluations among participating family members and CICLs. Anchored in Cognitive Reframing Theory, the model consists of four progressive phases: hindrance, opportunity, plan, and empowerment. The hindrance phase identifies prevailing family conflicts and dysfunctional relational patterns, recognizing that overly rigid or overly lenient family connections may lead to unhealthy emotional dynamics. The opportunity phase reframes these conflicts into constructive avenues for growth. The plan phase focuses on collaborative goal-setting, boundary-setting, shared responsibility, and improved communication skills. Finally, the empowerment phase consolidates cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes while sustaining open communication channels.

Results: In the implementation of the model, a coordinated process among multiple stakeholders was conducted, whereas the local government unit mandated the community involvement both during confinement of the youth and upon reintegration. The community officials coordinate closely with the families of CICLs, facilitating transportation to and from the residential facility, monitoring progress, and recording the youth’s development and family engagement. While the families and CICLs actively participate in the structured reframing sessions conducted over a period of 10 weeks. These sessions are facilitated by social workers, who employ a range of cognitive reframing strategies aligned with the model’s four phases.

Conclusions and Implications: A post-evaluation is conducted to assess outcomes, including improvements in family relationships, communication, and overall preparedness for reintegration. As a result, among the 12 CICLs who completed the model, there were no records of recidivism following their reintegration into the community. The facility also adopted the Byaheng Pag-asa Family Reconciliation Model as part of its rehabilitation program, as it has demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing repeat offenses, bridging the gap between the residential facility and the youth’s family, and strengthening the role of stakeholders accountable for restorative justice.

O4.3  From Exclusion to Empowerment: Rethinking Indigenous Community Development through Social Work Perspectives

*Md. Ismail Hossain¹, Imran Hossain¹

¹Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

Abstract

Indigenous community development emphasizes culturally grounded, participatory, and inclusive approaches that strengthen the capacities and resilience of marginalized groups. This study examines the development dynamics of the Patro community, an indigenous group in Bangladesh, focusing on their social organization, livelihood conditions, and collective coping mechanisms amid structural exclusion. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws on household surveys, in-depth interviews, and community observations to explore patterns of economic marginalization, social solidarity, and access to resources. Findings reveal that a significant proportion of Patro households live below the national poverty line, experience economic marginalization, and face high levels of unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youth. Despite these challenges, strong community solidarity persists, with traditional institutions and elders playing a crucial role in dispute resolution, mutual support, and collective action during crises. However, the study also highlights persistent barriers to sustainable development, including exclusion from mainstream society, limited educational opportunities, and underrepresentation in decision-making processes. Moreover, the study argues that indigenous community development efforts must move beyond welfare-oriented interventions toward empowerment-based strategies that recognize indigenous knowledge systems, strengthen local institutions, and promote social inclusion. From a social work perspective, culturally sensitive, community-driven interventions are essential to enhancing the Patro community's well-being, resilience, and long-term development outcomes.

O4.4  Practical Logic and Path of Five Social Forces Coordination in Promoting Villagers' Participation in Local Cultural Inheritance

*Yinchuan Li

¹Chongqing University, China

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Under the background of rural revitalization, mixed villages in the post-rural society are faced with governance dilemmas such as the loss of main participants in local cultural inheritance, and villagers' weak willingness to participate with a single form. Existing studies lack sufficient discussion on the practical mechanism and path of Five Social Forces Coordination in promoting villagers' participation in local cultural inheritance. Taking the "Shu·Xiang Life Museum" project in Shengtian Village of Chongqing as a case, this study explores the practical path of Five Social Forces Coordination to solve the dual dilemmas of local cultural inheritance and villagers' participation, deconstructs the collaborative operation logic of multiple subjects, and provides localized practical reference for the revitalization of local culture and grassroots community governance in similar mixed villages.

Methods: This study takes the case study method as the core, combined with literature research, semi-structured interview and archive data analysis methods. Taking all participants of Five Social Forces Coordination and villagers of different identities and age groups in Shengtian Village of Chongqing as research objects, it systematically collects relevant data such as project operation, villagers' participation practice and local cultural inheritance, sorts out the whole practical process of Five Social Forces Coordination promoting villagers' participation in local cultural inheritance, and analyzes its intervention strategies and operational characteristics.

Results: By building a multi-subject collaborative mechanism of "community providing platform + social workers' professional leadership + social organizations practicing + volunteers participating + social resources supporting", Five Social Forces Coordination has effectively activated the endogenous motivation of villagers to participate in local cultural inheritance. Villagers' participation has shifted from passive acceptance to active participation, covering the whole links of local cultural excavation, activation, intergenerational transmission and dissemination. The coverage and depth of participating groups have been significantly improved. At the same time, it has broken the identity barrier of mixed villages and achieved the dual effects of living inheritance of local culture and community integration.

Conclusions and Implications: Five Social Forces Coordination provides an effective practical path for solving the dilemma of local cultural inheritance in mixed villages and improving villagers' participation. The complementary advantages and collaborative empowerment of multiple subjects are the key to the practical implementation. This practical exploration enriches the intervention mode of social work in indigenous community development, provides ideas and reference for the multi-subject collaborative practice of rural cultural revitalization and grassroots governance in the Asia-Pacific region, and also lays an empirical foundation for the subsequent in-depth study of the practical logic of local cultural inheritance.

O4.5  When "Habitat Garden" meets "Social Work": A Three-dimensional Empowerment Model for Innovative practices in Community Asset Building and Long-term Governance

*Tong Wu¹, Junyan Gu¹

¹East China Normal University, China

 Abstract

In the context of rapid urbanization, Urban old communities generally face governance challenges such as dysfunctional public spaces, infrequent young neighborhood participation, and Insufficient resource exploration. Based on the theories of community asset building and collaborative governance, this study aims to explore the pathways and mechanisms of social work intervention in the long-term governance of communities. Using a single-case study design, this study selected the Habitat Garden construction project in H Residential Area, J Street, C District, Shanghai as the research case, based on typicality and research suitability. Semi-structured interviews were used. Ten participants (one community secretary, six young volunteers, and three residents) were interviewed. Primary data was also collected through participatory observation. Through participant observation, residents' interactive behaviors, work processes, decision-making procedures, and activity states within the space are recorded, thereby supplementing detailed information not covered by the interview data. We find that public space and community culture can be used as carriers. The habitat garden renovation project helps activate community public spaces, thereby providing a physical platform for resident interaction. At the same time, the community's cultural memory builds an emotional foundation and sustained motivation for resident participation.On the other hand, in collaborative governance practices, residents assume the roles of planners, co-builders, and supervisors, achieving an identity transformation from bystanders to co-builders. Through the mutual reinforcement of “organization, identity, and capacity,” , a closed-loop system of three-dimensional empowerment is ultimately formed, promoting the institutionalized operation of community governance. After project implementation, the abandoned lotus pond was transformed into a 7,100-square-meter habitat garden. The participation rate of young residents and overall resident satisfaction significantly increased, forming a community governance collective with a high degree of emotional identification and cultural belonging. This study constructs a three-dimensional empowerment governance system of “space activation, relationship construction, and capacity empowerment,” revealing a new pathway for community governance driven by the closed-loop interplay of 'organization, identity, and capacity' under the intervention of social work. Furthermore, the results highlight that tapping into local resources, building collaborative platforms, and establishing institutionalized mechanisms are effective strategies for addressing the governance challenges of old communities. The research findings provide an actionable practical pathway for social work intervention in local community governance, and also offer a replicable model reference for similar communities to activate their endogenous governance impetus and achieve sustainable and long-term governance.

O4.6  Social Work Intervention and Collaborative Dynamics in Rural Governance: An Evolutionary Game Analysis of Multi-Actor Interaction

*Xingcheng Li1, Xiaobin Peng1, Fangshu Lu1

¹Chongqing University, Chongqing, China

Abstract

Background and Purpose: China’s rural revitalization strategy accelerates, rural governance has transitioned from a predominantly administrative model to one that emphasizes multi-actor collaboration. Nevertheless, cooperation among governments, village committees, social organizations, and villagers often remains unstable due to disparities in resources, divergent interest structures, information asymmetry, and weak trust networks. These challenges reduce the effectiveness and sustainability of rural governance. Social work, characterized by its professional orientation toward empowerment, resource integration, trust-building, and conflict mediation, offers a unique lens through which to enhance multi-actor cooperation. This study aims to investigate how social work intervention reshapes the strategic interactions among rural governance actors, how it influences the formation of cooperative equilibria, and under what conditions collaboration can evolve into a stable state.

Methods: A four-party evolutionary game model is constructed to examine the strategic choices of governments, village committees, social organizations, and villagers. Social work intervention is incorporated as a systemic variable composed of three dimensions: intervention costs, trust enhancement, and gains in collaborative efficiency. The model analyzes how each actor adjusts its strategy under changing payoff structures and how these adjustments affect the likelihood of achieving Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Numerical simulations under varied parameter conditions are performed to test the robustness of the model’s conclusions. Additionally, a representative rural case is selected to contextualize and validate the theoretical framework, illustrating the specific pathways through which social work influences participation, coordination, and decision-making.

Results: The study finds that social work intervention substantially improves cooperation across all four actor groups. It reduces uncertainty for governments and village committees by providing more transparent information channels, minimizing governance risks, and supporting structured participation mechanisms. For social organizations and villagers, social work increases perceived benefits, strengthens motivation to participate, and enhances capacity through empowerment and resource linkage. The intervention also plays a mediating role in conflict resolution by promoting communication and building trust, thus reducing negative interactions and enabling more constructive negotiation. Simulation results show that when the trust enhancement effect outweighs the intervention cost, actors’ strategies converge toward cooperative equilibria in the evolutionary process. The case analysis further demonstrates that social work facilitates interest alignment, creates inclusive platforms for dialogue, and forms a supportive environment where multi-actor collaboration becomes both feasible and sustainable.

Conclusions and Implications: Social work intervention contributes significantly to rural collaborative governance by rebuilding trust networks, balancing incentives, and elevating cooperative efficiency. It serves as an essential mechanism for reducing participation barriers, maintaining stable interaction patterns, and improving governance quality. To institutionalize and expand these effects, this study recommends strengthening governmental procurement of social services, enhancing coordination mechanisms between village committees and social organizations, developing comprehensive village-level social support networks, and promoting participatory governance approaches that empower villagers. These findings deepen the theoretical understanding of rural collaborative governance from a social work perspective and offer actionable insights for enhancing governance capacity and achieving long-term rural revitalization goals.