Vice President Biden. Photo courtesy of Penn Current.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden will speak at the May 17 commencement of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice, according to this article in Penn Current.

Smaller schools within the University of Pennsylvania system rarely get such high-level speakers but the School of Social Policy and Practice had an edge this  year, the article said. Biden’s daughter, Ashley, is graduating with a master’s of social work.

“Vice President Biden has long supported policy and legislation aimed at social change,” Dean Richard J. Gelles said.  “We are pleased that he has accepted our invitation to be the Commencement speaker at the graduation exercises.”

UPDATE: Here is the link to a Philadelphia Inquirer article on Biden’s appearance at the commencement.

Richard Gelles. Photo courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania.

Richard Gelles, dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice, recently went to China to observe that country’s move to create 33 master’s of social work programs.

China is growing rapidly and is well on its way to perhaps becoming the planet’s top economy. However, its social problems are multiplying and China does not have the infrastructure to handle them, said Gelles, who is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

“It’s fascinating to watch a country that big and growing that fast, decide to grow out a social service component,” Gelles. “If they do it at the same pace they’re growing everything else out, it’s going to be remarkable to watch.”

To read the full University of Pennsylvania Penn Current interview with Gelles, click here.

Social workers are becoming increasingly involved in world affairs. To learn more, visit NASW’s Human Rights and International Affairs Web page by clicking here.