Prof. Azzi-Lessing’s Keynote Address at Hong Kong Symposium Focuses on Meeting Needs of Vulnerable Children & Families
Clinical Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing recently gave a keynote address to 700 participants at the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong’s Symposium on Early Childhood Intervention. Titled “Policies and Practices to Address the Needs of Highly Vulnerable Young Children and Their Families,” her presentation drew from her extensive experience as a social worker, administrator, policy advocate, and educator specializing in addressing the needs of vulnerable children, especially young children in poverty and those in the child welfare system.
“Nations around the globe recognize the importance of giving young children a good start in life,” said Professor Azzi-Lessing. “Hong Kong shares similar challenges to the U.S. in that despite its wealth, child poverty rates are high and a shortage of affordable housing and other critical resources endanger the wellbeing and life chances of many of its youngest children.”
Over a 40-year career, Professor Azzi-Lessing has been involved in developing numerous programs to meet the needs of such children and their families, as well as graduate certificate programs focused on early childhood development and family support in the U.S. and in South Africa. She is a senior fellow at the Child Welfare League of America where her work focuses on racial equity and other forms of social justice in promoting the wellbeing of marginalized and oppressed children and families.
At Boston University School of Social Work, Professor Azzi-Lessing heads the Children, Youth and Families Specialization, chairs the Macro Social Work Department, and teaches master’s level courses on programs and policies for children and families, strategic management, social policy, and leadership for equity and inclusion.