In consultation with the Focal Point on Family at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Journalists and Writers Foundation Women’s Platform organized the ‘International Family Conference III: International Family Policies’ in Istanbul on November 29-30, 2014.
The 3rd International Family Conference on International Family Policies was held at the Fatih College Congress Center as part of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF+20).
The conference concentrated on scientific, policy and practical issues related to legal aspects of family in different societies. Participants emphasized the need for families to be protected and empowered in light of universal values and basic human rights.
Primarily consisting of academicians, speakers from 13 different countries shared their experiences with the best practices of family-oriented policies. The keynote speech was delivered by Katarina Lindahl, Chair of Sweden’s UN Women National Committee, and another speaker was Diana Bryant AO, Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.
During the conference, participants were invited to wear an orange ribbon to raise awareness about the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. The ribbon is part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women, with the motto “Orange YOUR Neighborhood.” The initiative encourages people to mark the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence by organizing “Orange Events” in their own neighborhoods between November 25th and December 10th.
The conference was supported by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), NittoKAI (Japan), Istituto Tevere (Italy), Kimse Yok Mu (Turkey ), MARKAFED (Turkey), Thailand Achievement Institute (TAI) and Ufuk Dialogue Foundation (Nigeria).
At the end of the two-day conference, a final declaration was announced.
Program
29 November, Saturday
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speech
Mustafa Yesil President, The Journalists and Writers Foundation
Katarina Lindahl Board Chair, UN Women National Committee Sweden
10.40-11.00
Coffee Break
11.00-12.30
Family and Law
Modern Family- Surrogacy and Its Problems
Diana Bryant AO Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia
Catholic Social Teaching and the Family – The Case of Germany
Assist. Prof. Cüneyd Dinç, Süleyman Sah University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science
Family in Islamic Law
Prof. Abdülhakim Yüce, Yüzüncü Yil University, Faculty of Divinity
12.30-13.30
Lunch
13.30-15.00
Family and Work
Policy Of Women Employment And Family Protection In Nigeria
Dr. Pauline. E. Onyeukwu, Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Department of Business Administration
Economic Empowerment of Women through Self-employment: A Case Study of ‘Kudumbasree’ Programme in the Kerala State of India
Abdul Sathar Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Department of English Language and Literature
Gender Equality at the Bottom: Unexpected Consequences of the Family Policy in Japan
Prof. Keiko Hirao, Sophia University, Graduate School of Environmental Studies
15.00-15.30
Coffee Break
15.30-17.00
Family and Poverty
Changes In Family Structure, Reason For Growing Poverty: A Case Study Of US
Asist. Prof. Faisal Nazir Islamic University of Science & Technology, India
Child Poverty in Rich Countries, A Costly Mistake for the Future
Ignacio Socias Director of Communication and International Relations International Federation for Family Development (IFFD)
30 November, Sunday
Regional Practices – Session I
Family policy in Poland
Prof. Alexandr Tsoi, Lodz University
Family Policies In Romania Before and After The Romanian Revolution Of December 1989
Asist Prof. Selami Ahmet, Salgür University of South-East Europe – Lumina, Romania
Family Challenge Towards Immigration and Globalization – The Case of Albania
Assoc. Prof. Gjon Boriçi, Illyria College, Albania
11.30-12.00
Coffee Break
12.00-13.00
Regional Practices – Session II
The Duties of Local Governments in Educating Family: The Local Family Practice
Konur Alp Demir, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Institute of Social Sciences
Equal yet Plural? Polygamy and the Status of Women in the United States
Cynthia A. Scheopner J.D., Senior Researcher, Office of Research Compliance, University of Hawai’i, Manoa
13.30-14.30
Lunch
14.30-16.00
Regional Practices – Session III
Family Policy in Korea – The Healty Family Act
Prof. Gyounghae Han, Seoul National University, Human Development and Family Studies
Family Formation Crisis in Contemporary Japan
Prof. Yuko Ogasawara, Nihon University College of Economics
Thailand’s Community Baby-sitting System with Positive Psychology Approach (Life Assets) Strengthen the Positive Parenting in Family
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suriyadeo Tripathi, Mahidol University, National Institute for Child and Family Development
16.00-16.30
Announcement of the Final Declaration
Final Declaration
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family designated by the United Nations, the Journalists and Writers Foundation Women’s Platform organised the International Family Conference III –International Family Policies on 29-30 November 2014, with contributions of 17 speakers from 13 different countries, which dealt with family and law, family and work, family and poverty through regional practices, underlined by the presentations.
Recognizing the family as a natural and fundamental group unit of societies (E/RES/2014/8), we welcome all the preparations and celebrations happening around the world for this Anniversary. With the spirit of being part of it,
Stressing that equality between men and women, especially women’s equal participation in employment, shared parental responsibility and respect to the rights of children should be the essentials of family policies,
Acknowledging the evidence that family policies and laws are more effective when targeting the family unit rather than each one of its members; that balancing work and family life helps parents to be co-responsible in their tasks; and that empowering families is essential to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty,
Convinced that civil society has a significant role in promoting human rights, assessing family policies and supporting families, we urge governments to consider these recommendations:
1. Family policies should always take into consideration the empowerment of women within the family, especially in their integration to the labour market.
2. Make sure that the law always respects the rights of every member of the family to be part of the decision process within the family.
3. Respect every nation’s peculiarities as long as they don’t violate the international conventions and treaties; and promote mutual understanding between different societies.
4. Make sure that reproductive technologies do not violate the basic rights of all parts involved.<
5. Never force women to make a choice between work and family commitments; therefore consider the cost of maternal leave and in-kind services and tax benefits as investment for the society.
6. Build a legal framework in which the private sector doesn’t get extra cost when their staff receives maternal leave, and the woman has the guarantee to keeping her job.
7. Ensure the universal accessibility and quality of early child education.
8. Ensure that young generations get the skills to find a way to integrate into society and start a family through a proper job.
9. Ensure that families are not replaced in their duties, but supported and made accountable for the help they get from society.
10. Mainstream the family in the sustainable development agenda, and take into account that the achievement of the new Development Goals depends on how well families are empowered to contribute to their achievement.
