The Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF) by holding a conference next month where experts, academics, researchers, civil society organisations, and policy makers will be able to discuss key aspects of social policy, in an attempt to change existing policies and empower the family .
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development, DIFI’s Doha Conference is set to take place on 16th and 17th April 2014 at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the theme ’Empowering Families, a Pathway to Development’.
Key themes for the anniversary of IYF are:
· Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion
· Ensuring Work-Life Balance
· Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity
More than 80 prominent speakers from different parts of the world will be attending the conference to share their views and experiences regarding the centrality of the family and its role in the society.
In preparation for the IYF anniversary, introductory meetings were organised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) at the UN Headquarters, as well as meetings with civil society organisations in many parts of the world. DIFI contributed to this process by organising expert group meetings in Doha in 2011 and 2013, and at the European Parliament in 2011.
The first day of the conference will focus on the issue of Family Matters. Article 16 (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. Yet despite their contribution to society and overall development, families are rarely considered when policies are made. The day will focus on family matters and will be split into different panel sessions discussing issues of family poverty, family and work balance, family and intergenerational ties and families in special circumstances.
Delegates will hear from a number of distinguished speakers including: HE Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al-Khulaifi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Qatar, H.E. Mr Vincent Meriton, Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs and Sports, Seychelles, Mr Tuve Martin Hugo Skånberg von Beetzen, Swedish Parliament/Christian Democrat Party, Dr Bahira Sherif Trask, Professor, Associate Chair, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Delaware, and Dr Deisi Noeli Weber Kusztra, Executive Director of National Union of the Associations of Protection of Maternity and Childhood, World Family Organization.
During the second day of the conference, the focus will be on family and the post 2015 Development Agenda. A number of sessions will highlight issues of importance to effective family policy design and gender equality. The role of men in the family will also be discussed and considered in relation to designing family policies. The day will attempt to evaluate to what extent these matters have been addressed in family policies around the world.
Delegates will hear from distinguished speakers including: H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Special Adviser of the Secretary- General’s on Post-2015 Development Planning, Philip Hawang, Professor of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, UN High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, Prof. Dr Rolph van der Hoeven, Human Resources and Local Development, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Mr Taj Hamad, Secretary General, World Association of Non- Governmental Organizations (WANGO).
The conference will look at current family policies and whether they support family functions and explore the need for more holistic, multidimensional approach.
- ILQ News -
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