An Analysis of Pathways for Ethnic Social Work Intervention in Rural Industrial Development: Based on a Fieldwork on the Sheep Industry in Jingyuan County

Abstract

Ethnic unity is closely related to the economic symbiosis and industrial collaboration of multi-ethnic areas. Based on the chain of the sheep industry, the Hui and Han ethnic groups in Jingyuan County have formed a symbiotic pattern of economic cooperation. However, there are many problems with this symbiosis: the distribution of benefits is uneven, market information is not symmetrical, trust among parties is low, and government support for industrial upgrading and inter-ethnic cooperation is weak. Based on the above, ethnic social work can build an interest-negotiation platform, construct a multi-channel information-sharing system, establish a cross-ethnic trust network, and connect policy resources for empowerment in the industry. The purpose of the above measures is to promote the development of deep synergy between the Hui and Han ethnic groups, not labour division; thus, it is an excellent case of coordinating industrial revitalisation and ethnic unity and progress in multi-ethnic areas.