DIFI outlines preparations for International Year of the Family conference

DOHA: As part of the preparations for the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family global conference, Qatar Foundation s Doha Internat...

DOHA: As part of the preparations for the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family global conference, Qatar Foundation’s Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) collaborated with the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva to lead a side event at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council.

The event, which focused on the contribution of family-oriented policies in the promotion and protection of human rights, explored how the policies can address the impacts of megatrends – trends that have an effect on a global scale, such as technological change, urbanization, migration, demographic change, and climate change – on the functioning and well-being of the family.

Jawhara bint Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar in Geneva, stressed the role of the family in protecting its members and ensuring their human rights, noting Qatar’s investment in building strong and cohesive families.

Nada Al Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: “Families should be protected and assisted to provide an environment conducive to the growth and well-being of their members, given their role in promoting development, cohesion, and social integration.”

Reaffirming the importance of all individuals within the family to obtain their human rights, Al Nashif called on governments to work on achieving this by providing protection measures, facilitating the reunification of families of migrants and asylum seekers, and avoiding forced separation of family members.