What makes families resilient in facing adversity? Prof Froma Walsh will present her research-informed family resilience framework: identifying multi-systemic influences and key relational processes that policymakers and practitioners can target to increase couple and family capacities to overcome stressful life challenges and flourish.

Froma Walsh, PhD is Professor Emerita, Crown School & Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago, and is Co-Founder / Co-Director, Chicago Center for Family Health. Prof Walsh is the foremost international authority on family resilience. Her research-informed Family Resilience Framework is adapted globally in research, clinical / community services, and social policy. Prof Walsh, a Clinical Psychologist, is Past President, American Family Therapy Academy; Past Editor, Journal of Marital & Family Therapy; and recipient of many awards for her distinguished contributions. With 120+ scholarly publications, her recent books are: Strengthening Family Resilience (3rd ed., 2016); and Complex and Traumatic Loss: Fostering Healing and Resilience (2023).

Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (HKFWS) strives to strengthen and support family wellbeing, improve living qualities of families and foster caring communities. For decades, family wellbeing has been promoted through rendering direct services and advocating values conducive to healthy development of families. In particular, the rationale behind establishing the Hong Kong Family Wellbeing Index (HKFWI), factors influencing it, as well as its intricacies and determinants will be described.

The HKFWI, developed by HKFWS and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was the first in Hong Kong to track the trends in family wellbeing, across 3 studies from 2019 to 2024. HKFWI also presents the evolving landscape of Hong Kong families' wellbeing, examining the wellbeing of families with diverse demographic, family structural, and socioeconomic profiles, and reflecting on the macrosystem's support to families in a wider context. In 2024, caregiver issues were highlighted in the HKFWI survey. In sum, HKFWI is an evidence-based practice which facilities social change and dialogues with the public to raise awareness on family matters. It also deepens insights on family-centric approaches to social issues, for better policymaking, and provides insights on service design and policy formulation to strengthen families.

Kitty Chau is a Registered Social Worker and currently serves as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (HKFWS). Kitty has dedicated her career to serving social services and welfare in Hong Kong and holding significant roles in public service and Government advisory committees.

Kitty has joined HKFWS in 2023 where a wide scope of family service is being provided include integrated family services, medication and divorce services, children services, youth services and community care and support services for the elderly. Prior to joining HKFWS, Kitty has been serving in senior position of corporate governance and service development. With years of experience, she has pioneered new projects and new service models for leading social development and filling in service gaps. Apart from social welfare, Kitty is keen to engage families in community building, she has worked over 10 years on community green projects and environmental protection. In addition, Kitty has also championed four Transitional Housing Projects providing over 1100 housing units for the families to improve their livings. Family welfare is her major concern. Her leadership and commitment to social welfare have made her a passionate figure in the sector. Her work continues the impact many lives positively, reflecting her dedication to social service and community development.