By Sr. Myriam Theresa Bui, Sisters of the Good Shepherd Vietnam (GSVN), (Province of East Asia)

In a powerful demonstration of the “Celo” that defines the Good Shepherd spirit, sisters in Vietnam recently hosted a landmark collaborative gathering in Ho Chi Minh City. The event brought together sisters, partners-in-mission, priests, and high-level professionals from prominent NGOs and social organizations to strengthen the network of care for vulnerable women and children.

The meeting served as a bridge between compassionate ministry and professional excellence, ensuring that the mission to serve those at the margins remains both spiritually rooted and technically proficient.

A Convergence of Expertise and Compassion

The day was marked by an impressive assembly of minds from the forefront of social development in Vietnam. Representatives and experts from renowned organizations participated, including, Save the Children, Saigon Children’s Charity, CSWC (Center for Social Work and Community Development Research and Consultancy), Social Worker Club, Social Life Research Institute, y SCDI (Supporting Community Development Initiatives).

As the Good Shepherd mission has long been dedicated to the protection of women and children in distress, the presence of these NGOs provided a golden opportunity to align our grassroots presence with international standards of social work.

Key Pillars of Discussion: Professionalism and Cooperation

The dialogue centered on three critical themes essential for the future of the GSVN mission. First, participants explored professional synergy, with experts sharing insights into their current programs and presenting a ‘menu’ of resources—from educational scholarships to healthcare initiatives—that could be integrated into our existing three Good Shepherd ministries in Vientnam.

Second, the conversation addressed the evolution of human resources, with a significant focus on the vital role of partners-in-mission. There was a shared understanding that the future of the mission depends on a sustainable balance between religious commitment and professional lay expertise.

Finally, the group discussed strategic cooperation, moving beyond simple networking to consider concrete ways of co-managing cases, sharing data-driven approaches, and offering specialized training for social workers engaged in Good Shepherd programs which have benefited over 2500 program participants.

Director of CSWC Mr. Ngoc Phuc, spoke of how it was “a great joy for me and several social work colleagues to be connected by Mr. Joseph Loc and have the opportunity to meet and exchange with Father Joseph Chuong and the sisters. I deeply admire the mission entrusted to you by God and your congregation in serving the poor and the less fortunate in society,”

Looking Forward: A Unified Path

For our sisters in Vietnam, this gathering was more than just a meeting; it was an act of “opening the doors” to a wider community of practitioners. By fostering relationships with NGOs and high-level specialists, GSVN ensures that the best practices in modern social work underpin our service to the vulnerable.

As we move forward, these partnerships will pave the way for more robust advocacy, better resource allocation, and a deeper impact on the lives of those we are called to serve.