Title: Relocated Solidarity: rethinking social workers' roles in supporting politically displaced migrants

Date: Wednesday 11th March 2026                Start time: 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET 

Abstract

In the wake of the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, China’s imposition of a draconian National Security Law and subsequent suppression of political dissent, many Hongkongers migrated to countries offering ‘lifeboat’ schemes for them, creating new diasporic communities.  These migrants carried memories and sentiments rooted in their protest experience and its aftermath, particularly a strong commitment to solidarity with comrades and allies. Drawing on two related research projects, in this presentation, we analyse how these ideals are manifested within the Hongkonger diaspora in the UK through ‘relocated solidarity’. This takes two forms: ‘solidarity in exile,’ which informs continued political activism in the UK, and ‘exiled solidarity,’ which focuses on preserving the Hongkonger community in the host country. The practices adopted by Hongkongers reflect their political commitments and the varied challenges they face in adapting to life in the UK. Hongkonger diaspora as a case provides a critical lens to consider social workers and local authorities’ roles beyond the current focus on safeguarding. We will use three examples, UK Welcomes Refugees , the British Association of Social Workers and Sutton Council, to illustrate social workers’ roles as bridgers for resources and information, engineers of policy space for marginalised voices and community-oriented innovators. 

Authors

Dr. Sui Ting Kong is an Associate Professor at Durham University, specializing in feminist participatory methodologies and social work practice research. Her work focuses on the impact of social movements on personal lives, particularly examining gender-based violence and the experiences of the Hongkonger diaspora. She has developed innovative methods to democratize knowledge production and enhance understanding of violence against women in both political and personal contexts. 

sui.t.kong@durham.ac.uk                   https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/sui-t-kong/

Hei Chow is the programme Manager of UK Welcomes Refugees, a UK charity supporting refugees from worldwide. With the Background of Social work and Master’s Degree in Values Education,  Hei focused on youth work, community work, while he worked as a social worker, lecturer and fieldwork supervisor in Hong Kong and UK.  Hei hopes not only to support and resettle Hong Kongers but to play a key role in UKWR’s wider mission to build a more understanding and harmonious society for the common good of all. Part of Hei’s work also focuses on supporting refugees and overseas social workers from around the world, helping them to build mutual support networks, strengthen their professional identity, and develop new career pathways in the UK.

https://ukwelcomesrefugees.org/hei/                       Hei@ukwelcomesrefugees.org