Expert Group Meeting (Orlando, 11 November 2023)

The United Nations Division for Inclusive Social Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) organized with the collaboration of the International Federation for Family Development an expert group meeting in preparation for the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.

Topics

Demographic change in North America
• Demographic change in the United States, Canada and Mexico
• Fertility & nuptiality trends
• Ageing trends
• Demographic trends and health
• Impacts of COVID-19
• Care arrangements for children and older persons

Urbanization trends in North America
• Urbanization trends in the United States, Canada and Mexico
• Vulnerable families and urbanization
• Adequate housing
• Gender perspective on urbanization
• Intergenerational approaches to urbanization
• Homelessness

Migration trends in North America
• Regional migration trends
• Family reunification policies in the USA & Canada
• Transnational families
• Transnational motherhood
• Families and mental health
• Differences between US and Canada in accepting immigrants

Interlinkages between demographic change, urbanization and migration: Policy implications
• Family-oriented policies tackling demographic change, urbanization and migration in the region
• Challenges and obstacles to family policymaking dealing with megatrends
• The role of civil society in family policy advocacy & research
• Good practices

Experts

Norma J. Bond Burgess
President, National Council on Family Relations
Shelley Clark
James McGill Professor of Sociology & Department Chair, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Joseph Grzywacz
Associate Dean of Research, College of Health and Human Sciences, San Jose State University, California, USA
Raeann Hamon
Distinguished Professor of Family Science & Gerontology, Messiah University, USA
Margo Hilbrecht
Executive Director, Vanier Institute, Canada
Renata Kaczmarska
Focal Point on the Family, Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations
Bethany Letiecq
Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Science, George Mason University, USA
Mihaela Robila
Professor in the Family, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences department at the City University of New York Queens College, USA
Hilary A. Rose
Associate Professor, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Yan Ruth Xia
Professor, Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
Bahira Sherif Trask
Chairperson and Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Delaware, USA
Ignacio Socias
Director of International Relations, International Federation for Family Development
Colleen Vesely
Associate Professor & Academic Program Co-Coordinator, Early Childhood Education Human Development and Family Science, George Mason University, USA
Ruben P. Viramontez Anguiano
Founding Program Chair, Professor of Human Development, Family Relations and Education, School of Education & Human Development, University of Colorado – Denver, USA

More information on the UN website …

IFFD was also represented by Ignacio Socias at the NCFR Annual Conference celebrated during those days in Orlando, who spoke at the Invited Presenter Session: ‘The Workings of the United Nations and How to Get Involved’, on ‘Civil Society Organizations as a Means to Get Involved With the United Nations.’