Tribune News Network
Doha
Policies to protect families in countries affected by conflict, the global impact of population decline, and striking a balance between work and family life were placed in focus on the opening day of the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family Conference on Family and Contemporary Megatrends.
Organised by Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), the conference brought together experts and policymakers from around the world to explore key global megatrends affecting families, and policies and programmes that strengthen the family’s place at the heart of society.
In a session titled ‘Shattered Lives: The Impact of War and Conflict’, Dr Nour Naim, executive director of AI Minds Academy, spoke about the targeted destruction of the middle class and education in Gaza – where she is originally from, and where her father continues to work as a frontline doctor despite being injured.
She explained that the situation in Gaza is dismantling the connection between families and their homeland, forcing them to migrate to different corners of the world, but said: "The strength of the Gazan community lies in these tight family ties. Families are moving into each other’s homes, living together as if they were one family. These values are the foundation of society in Gaza.
"The solidarity in Gaza should be studied in sociology textbooks worldwide. The primary driver is the understanding that we are all equal under the shadow of death, facing it at any moment. We don’t have the luxury of mourning – our only option is to stay strong and patient.”
Speaking in a discussion on ‘Work-Family Reimagined’, Dr Maimoonah Khalil Al Khalil, secretary general, Family Affairs Council, Saudi Arabia, highlighted the main challenges and opportunities facing working families in the country, saying: "Research has shown that when both parents are both working and away from home for long hours, it affects fertility, marriage age, and divorce rates, so initiatives must be introduced to ensure that women are active in the workforce, but also to ensure that we are practicing the role of parenting well. While encouraging families to provide a better life for their children, we must support them with flexible work, active parenting, and early childhood resources.”
The panel ‘Saving the Earth, Securing the Family’ explored the impact of climate change on families, focusing on the effects of climate-induced migration, food security, water scarcity, and eco-anxiety. "Climate change is multidimensional, and we need to deal with it in a holistic manner,” Her Excellency Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services, Türkiye, said.
Dr Mohammed Behnassi, senior environmental expert at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, based in Rabat, Morocco, highlighted three interconnected climate change phenomena affecting families.
"First is climate-induced displacement; second is food insecurity, which is worsened by climate change; and finally, war insecurity,” he said.