By Kay Gong Suhail, Co-chair, Asian Forum Planning Committee
(September 1996)

More than 50 social workers filled NASW's conference room for the Chapter's first Asian Social Work Forum in June.

The forum provided an opportunity for social workers to talk to one another openly under the umbrella of Asian ethnicity regardless of nationality. Among the issues discussed were: recognition of Asian social workers; the need to educate other social workers about who Asian social workers are; and professional development, including private practice.

Participants at the forum included Kay Gong Suhail, Co-chair of the Forum Planning Committee, who spoke about the Korean-American Social Workers Network; Co-chair Irene Chung, who spoke about her experiences as an Asian social worker; Carolyn Baker Brown, Chair of the Committee on Affirmative Action and Multicultural Affairs, who gave a report on cultural sensitivity issues; Dr. Carmen Ortiz Hendricks, who detailed how the Committee on Latino Affairs was established; and Ram Iyer, who spoke about the Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi Social Workers Group.

Chapter Executive Director Dr. Robert Schachter emphasized the Chapter's strong commitment to multiculturalism and support for Asian social workers coming together as a group.

As a result of the meeting, an Asian Social Work Task Force is being formed. The first meeting will be held later this fall. All Chapter members are cordially invited to attend. For more information call the Chapter office at 212-668-0050.