Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) hosted a meeting for civil society organisations this week, in partnership with the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD). DIFI is a member of Qatar Foundation. 

The meeting highlighted the role of parenting and its contribution to sustainable development, while improving quality education and health outcomes. Under this overarching theme, these topics were discussed:

  • Ways of promoting gender equality and shared responsibility at home;
  • Preventing the reproduction of families in vulnerable situations;
  • Promoting intergenerational solidarity and inclusive urbanization;
  • Creating an enabling environment for a meaningful contribution of civil society organizations.

DIFI meetThese subject areas align with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, acknowledging the right to start a family, where the family represents a basic and essential building block of society, and holding the primary responsibility for nurturing, protecting, and overseeing the social development of children. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, and the family should assume its responsibilities within the community.

The meeting was held ahead of DIFI’s two-day International Conference on Parenting, Child Wellbeing and Development at The St. Regis Doha. Discussions focused on programmes that enhance parent skills and involvement in early childhood.

It featured two sessions: ‘Sharing of Experiences and Exchange on Promoting Parenting Support at National and Regional Levels,’ moderated by DIFI Executive Director Noor Al Malki Al Jehani; the second session was ‘Introducing Civil Society Statement on Parenting’ moderated by IFFD Director of Communication Ignacio Socias.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of supporting parents both by government agencies and civil society organisations, whose efforts were praised by participants. The gathering concluded with the launch of the ‘Civil Society Statement on Parenting.’

Participants included representatives from various family-focused organisations around the world: Focus on the Family Malaysia, Investing in Children and Their Societies, the Africa Fatherhood Initiative, the World Family Organisation, Ngala Parenting with Confidence, the International Federation for Home Economics, the European Large Families Confederation, and the Parents Forum.

For more information on DIFI, visit difi.org.qa.

Image cover: DIFI Executive Director Noor Al Malki Al Jehani.