DOHA: The Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) is set to host an international conference on October 30 and 31, at the Qatar National Convention Center to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF).
Under the theme 'Family and Contemporary Megatrends: Can Policy Shape Technological, Migration, Urbanization, Demographic, and Climate Changes to Protect and Empower Families?' the conference will gather world leaders, policymakers, researchers, and representatives from international and non-governmental organisations to discuss the influence of contemporary global trends on families.
The conference aims to continue the legacy of the IYF, initially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994, which emphasized the family as the fundamental cornerstone of society, necessitating protection and support.
The conference will focus on ensuring that family well-being remains central in policy-making and social support frameworks.
A Global Platform for Dialogue and Action
Dr Sharifa Noman Al Emadi, Executive Director of DIFI, highlighted the significance of the event.
“It is a platform for the entire world where all the challenges facing families will be presented, along with their solutions, so we can benefit from our experiences with one another. In addition, it is an opportunity for dialogue, discussion, and the exchange of ideas,” she said.
Elaborating on the conference’s objectives, Al Emadi said, “As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, this conference reiterates Qatar’s commitment to supporting the family, nationally, regionally, and internationally, and the role of DIFI in shaping evidence-based policies that promote family well-being and cohesion.”
She emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges families face today.
“In a rapidly changing world shaped by technological advances, demographic shifts, migration, and environmental challenges, it is more important than ever to prioritize the needs of families and support them to cope and flourish. The International Year of the Family conference serves as a platform for thought leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas and develop innovative solutions to empower families to cope with these changes,” she added.
“This conference is more than a dialogue; it is a call to action. We are here to develop strategic partnerships, discuss best practices, and lay the foundation for sustainable and inclusive progress that benefits families and communities around the world,” Dr Al Emadi concluded.
DIFI’s initiative is supported by several key partners:
• The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) is a Strategic Partner. Talal Al Emadi, Manager of the Minister’s Technical Office, emphasized, “Our strategic partnership with the conference comes within the framework of enhancing efforts to support the family as a fundamental pillar in society.”
The ministry has already launched an awareness campaign for the IYF titled “The Family is the Wealth of a Nation,” which includes several activities aimed at enhancing family cohesion and compassion.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs serves as the Executive Partner. Mubarak Ajlan Mubarak Al Kuwari, Executive Director to the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences, stated, “In line with the social development goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, this partnership between the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Doha International Family Institute represents a significant step towards a promising future.”
He added, “Leveraging our extensive experience in large-scale event management, we are well-equipped to ensure the success of the upcoming 30th-anniversary celebration of the International Year of the Family in Doha.”
• QatarDebates is the Youth Partner for the conference.
Dr Hayat A Maarafi, Executive Director of QatarDebates Center, explained, “Debating enables youth to effectively serve their own causes and those of their communities. It introduces new ways of thinking and refines speech, increasing mental agility. This is the impact we observe at QatarDebate Center.”
She added, “Our approach is to harness the capabilities of youth towards progress and to support the state’s vision, with knowledge that engages open minds and liberates them from the constraints of disparity and difference, leading to a world of coexistence and harmony.”
Continuing the Legacy of the International Year of the Family
This conference is a continuation of the legacy of the International Year of the Family (IYF), which began in 1994 and underscores the need to protect and support the family as the cornerstone of society. It is marked by the establishment of DIFI by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2004 during the 10th anniversary of the IYF, which has played a significant role in shaping global family policy discourse.
The UN General Assembly’s resolution 78/17, adopted on December 19, 2023, reaffirmed Qatar’s role in hosting the 30th-anniversary celebration and called for enhanced global efforts to support family-focused policies. The conference celebrates Qatar’s longstanding commitment to elevating the family’s status within the global agenda and reinforcing its importance as a crucial social institution.
Key Themes and Sessions
The conference will address key topics such as technological advancements, migration, urbanization, and demographic changes. Key sessions will include:
• Opening Session: Why Family Policy Matters
• Seen and Unseen: Impact of Technology on Children
• Shattered Lives: The Impact of Wars and Conflict
The event will serve as a platform to influence global trends and ensure that family well-being remains at the forefront of policy-making and social support efforts worldwide
Over two days, more than 2,000 delegates - including policymakers, researchers, practitioners, parents, and young people - will come together at the conference to explore four major contemporary megatrends affecting the family:technological change, demographic change, migration and urbanization, and climate change.
Sessions will explore issues such as the impact of technology on family life, focusing on digital inequality and the importance of developing policies that help technology strengthen family cohesion; and discuss how family structures are being reshaped globally through changes such as declining fertility rates and migration patterns, highlighting the need for policies that support family care, and social inclusion.
The challenges families face due to migration and the importance of providing family-friendly environments will also be addressed, alongside the increasing threats posed to families by climate change to family life and how they can adapt to environmental challenges and support sustainable practices within their communities.
Held every decade, the conference plays a pivotal role in the development of policies and programs that can support and empower families globally over the following decade.
