Dear Reader,
Welcome to this special issue of the International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work which traces the history of the development of a thriving community of narrative practice in Hong Kong and features papers delivered at a recent conference there.
Michael White held the first public workshop on narrative therapy in Hong Kong 17 years ago and since then practitioners have developed diverse examples of localised and innovative practice. The first paper in this edition, by Tsun On-kee Angela, Hung Suet-lin Shirley, and Leung Shui-king Sharon, honours this history.
The papers following are from practitioners from Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and the USA. They include work from within prisons and within accommodation services for people with cerebral palsy. Other papers focus on letter writing exchanges; ways of narrative influencing social work practice; multiple family narrative practice for families of children with dyslexia; considerations of narrative therapy, anti-colonialism, cultural democracy and hip-hop; and a community project about shyness that offers sparkling ideas about multi-storied descriptions and directions.
This journal issue just offers a tiny glimpse of the thriving and diverse community of narrative practice in Hong Kong and its contributions to the wider field.
Warmly,
Cheryl
Contents
‘Honouring history, weaving hopes: Hong Kong stories’, TSUN On-kee Angela, HUNG Suet-lin Shirley, and LEUNG Shui-king Sharon. (Pages 1-7)
‘The application of narrative practice in a prison in Hong Kong: Be water, follow the flow’, Chuk Wing Hung Keswick and Lee Sek-wing. (Pages 8-13)
Shifting ‘c.m.i.’ (cannot make it) to ‘Can Make I.T.’ (can make ideas together) through letter writing and exchange, Sharon Sng. (Pages 14-21)
‘A narrative response to violence and abuse in an accommodation setting for people with cerebral palsy’, Natalie Morton. (Pages 22-28)
‘Narratively influencing social work practice in Singapore’, Mohamed Fareez and Prema Mohan. (Pages 29-35)
‘Quiet or Shy when we prefer to be, but always resisting Silencing: A project of multi-storied descriptions and directions’, Troy Holland, Trisha Nowland, Jennifer Swan, Susan Lord, Jamilla Johnson, Annette Dudley, Jesse Langer, Michelle Dang, Colleen Beazley, and Belinda St Clair. (Pages 36-42).
‘Multiple family narrative practice: In search of family agency for Chinese families of children with dyslexia through externalising documentation’, Simon Chan. (Pages 43-49)
‘Moving beyond multicultural counselling: Narrative therapy, anti-colonialism, cultural democracy and hip-hop’, Travis Heath. (Pages 50-55)
