Expert Group Meeting (Cairo, 2-5 June 2022)

The Department of Women, Family and Childhood in the Social Affairs Division at the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, in partnership with the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the United Nations Population Fund Arab States Regional Office, and the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), is organizing an expert group meeting (EGM) in preparation for the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF). This meeting will represent the Arab Region and will address the topic of technological changes and the family.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed it as the IYF in its resolution 44/82 of 9 December 1989. Activities for IYF seek to promote the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms accorded to all individuals by the set of internationally agreed instruments formulated under the aegis of the United Nations, and they are undertaken at all levels – local, national, regional and international. The IYF follow-up activities focused on the promotion of family policy development, especially in the areas of poverty reduction, work-family balance and intergenerational relations. Upon the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, the follow-up activities aimed at supporting the achievements of SDGs and targets through family policies.

In 2014, DIFI organized the International Conference on “Empowering Families: Pathway to Development” in commemoration of the IYF+20. The conference was held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. The conference concluded with the Doha Call to Action, which was circulated within the UN as well as among co-signing non-governmental organizations. Moreover, in preparation for the international conference, DIFI organized regional expert group meetings with pro-family non-governmental organizations.

Since its establishment, DIFI has played a crucial role in advocating for family policies within the international agenda and has collaborated with the UN in multiple facets in doing so. Taking into consideration DIFI’s leading role in the preparation and implementation of the previous IYF anniversaries, DIFI aims to lead the regional preparations for the IYF+30 and hold the international conference to be held in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the IYF in 2024, as well as a number of preparatory activities to be conducted prior to the conference.

In June 2020, the Focal Point on the Family, Division for Inclusive Social Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) organized an expert group meeting in preparation for the IYF+30 and addressed progress made with regards to family policy development at the international level and identified 4 megatrends as emerging issues to be tackled leading up to the commemoration of the IYF+30.

The 4 megatrends are: Demographic Trends, Migration and Urbanization, Climate Change and Technological Changes.

Context

Research shows that advancements in the development and implementation of new technologies has a lasting and large impact on societies, from an economic, social, cultural and political perspective (Goll & Zweirs, 2018). There is an evident relationship between new technology and social modernization, and this relationship could either affect the livelihoods of families as well as individuals immensely, in both positive and negative way. Yet, it is important to note that the differences in the Arab region countries use of new technologies and adaption of it vary immensely. For example, in the 2015 Networked Readiness Index (NRI), a part of the World Economic Forum’s “Global Information Technology Report” found that the top 10 countries in the MENA region that harnessed information technology to advance competitiveness and wellbeing of its people varies from the UAE, ranking 23rd globally to Egypt ranking 94th, noting that the top 5 counties were all Gulf region countries (Goll & Zweirs, 2018).

That being said, new technologies have affected the wellbeing and development of families in the Arab region immensely. For example, the topic of fertility and assistive reproductive technology is a growing phenomenon impacting families today. On the other hand, increased telecommuting has become a major part of families’ lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has revolutionized learning, work and social life and impacted family relations and gender roles and responsibilities. The division of labor as well as the traditional roles and responsibilities between family members are also changing. Additionally, technological advancements have provided women with the opportunity to work from home, especially those whose job opportunities are limited. Digital parenting and the impact of new technologies on parenting styles and child development is a growing topic. Moreover, policies and programs are being shaped to build on technological advancements, reaching larger populations around the region.

Objectives

• To present the Arab Family Strategy- the strategic nexus of the impact of technological development on the Arab family.
• To highlight the impact of technological changes on family relations, including marital, parental and intergenerational relations.
• To showcase the differences between Arab region region countries in relation to new technologies and their impact on families.
• To provide recommendations with policy responses and best practices and approaches towards supporting families with technological changes.
• To advocate for the development and implementation of family-friendly work arrangements across the region.
• To advocate for the implementation of technologically based parenting education programs.

Proposed Topics

• Digital addiction and family cohesion
• Digital parenting
• Impact of technology on work-family balance
• Marriage and technology
• COVID-19, technology and the family
• Fertility, families and technology

Experts

• Prof. Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem, Professor of Architecture, Nottingham Trent University
• Dr. Raian Ali, Professor in Information and Computing Technology at Hamad Bin Khalifa University
• Mr. Ahmed Aref, Content and Planning Manager, Doha International Family Institute
• Dr. Abdel Aziz Farah, Population Policy Expert, United Nations Population Fund
• Plenipotentiary Minister Dina Douay, Director of the Women, Family and Childhood Directorate, League of Arab States
• Dr. Sharifa Al Emadi, Executive Director, Doha International Family Institute
• Ms. Renata Kaczmarska, Focal Point on the Family, United Nations DESA Division for Inclusive Social Development
• Dr. Ismail Lubbad, Population and Development Advisor, Regional Office of the United Nations Population Fund for the Arab States
• Dr. Elie Mekhael, Professor of Social Policies at Lebanese University and an Expert for the Arab League on Children and Family Affairs
• Dr. Achraf Othman, Head of ICT Access Innovation and Research Section, Mada Center, Qatar
• Dr. Luay Shabaneh, Regional Director, United Nations Population Fund Regional Office of the United Nations Population Fund for the Arab States
• Dr. Ignacio Socias, Director of Communication and International Relations, International Federation for Family Development
• Dr. Jose Alejandro Vazquez, Representative to the UN, International Federation for Family Development

More information …