Empowering Communities to Combat Poverty: A conversation with the authors of Community-Centered Poverty-Alleviation Social Work in China

Intractable problems — even those as old as humanity itself like poverty — need new solutions and new approaches. That’s one of the reasons behind the entire United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) programme, and it’s one of the reasons for Springer Nature’s focus on the SDGs, and on bringing new SDG-related research to light.

One such approach to SDG 1: No Poverty is the community-centered approach in China. To highlight this, I recently sat down with Professors Jun Wen and Yuefei Wu, authors of the new book, Community-Centered Poverty-Alleviation Social Work in China. Professor Wen is a Professor of Sociology and Social Work at East China Normal University, and Professor Wu is an Associate Professor at the same institution. 

Their new book explores how community-driven approaches can make significant impacts in alleviating poverty. In this interview, I talk to the Professors Wen and Wu about the book, about the research that went into it, and the potential lessons it holds for SDG 1: No Poverty.

1. Can you briefly introduce yourselves and your research?

The authors of this book are Jun WEN and Yuefei WU. Jun WEN is a Professor of Sociology and Social Work at East China Normal University. His main research interests are in the areas of social policy and social development, sociological theory, and social work theory. Yuefei Wu is an associate professor at East China Normal University. Her research interests include urban-rural sociology, community development and local governance studies. Since the battle against poverty is a great practical campaign that concerns the well-being of hundreds of millions of people, our book is closely related to SDG1—No Poverty.

2. What inspired you to write a book on community-centered poverty-alleviation social work in the context of China? 

Poverty has long plagued human beings as a major social problem, while China has achieved some success in its fight against poverty with all of the rural poor people and counties lifted out of absolute poverty. We consider our targeted academic research as a trigger to tell the story of China's poverty alleviation. We also believe that it is of great theoretical value and practical significance both for China and the world at large. 

3. China is a vast and diverse country with various regions facing different poverty-related challenges. How does your book address the regional variations and specific strategies for poverty alleviation?

There is no “one” poverty alleviation, particularly for a country as diverse China. The book provides a useful practice toolbox, which leading practitioners can use to develop an array of anti-poverty strategies in accordance with distinguishing terroir conditions and social contexts.

4. Are there any examples of successful community-centered poverty alleviation projects that you highlight in your book? What lessons can other countries or regions learn from these examples?

We highlight China's successful experience in community intervention, community empowerment and community revitalization in poverty-alleviation social work. Due to the word limit, more live cases are presented in the Chinese version of this book.

5. Could you share your thoughts on the future of poverty reduction efforts in China and other developing countries? What trends or developments do you anticipate in this field in future?

Poverty reduction efforts in China are now shifting from eliminating absolute poverty to achieving common prosperity. Multi-dimensional and sustainable poverty interventions under systematic governance will become exigent and significant for China, as well as other developing countries.

6. Why did you choose to publish this book with Springer Nature?

A License agreement for co-publication has been approved between East China University of Science and Technology Press and Springer Nature. As authors, we were glad to work with these two respected publishing houses.

For more content on SDG1 and related topics in celebration of the UN’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, visit the campaign page here.

About the authors

Dr. Jun WEN is a Professor of Sociology and Social Work. He is the Dean of School of Social Development at East China Normal University in Shanghai. His academic positions include: Vice president of the Chinese Sociological Association, President of the Shanghai Sociological Association, Vice President of the Shanghai Social Workers Association, etc. Dr. WEN's main research interests are in the areas of social policy and social development, sociological theory, and social work theory. He has published many influential scholarly works, including nearly 200 journal articles and 20 books. In 2017, he was also awarded the distinguished professor of the ‘Chang Jiang Scholars’ by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Dr. Yuefei Wu is an associate professor at East China Normal University in Shanghai. Her research interests include urban-rural sociology, community development and local governance studies. Her work has appeared in Social Sciences in China, and Sociological Study among others. She has published many influential scholarly works, including more than 30 journal articles and several books on community studies.