The Management Segment of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations took place this past June 5th and 6th, 2024. The Management Segment convenes throughout the year to review and endorse reports from ECOSOC subsidiary and expert bodies, covering economic, social, environmental, and related fields. These reports serve as a repository of the Council’s expertise on diverse issues, enabling effective collaboration within the UN system. The discussions and decisions made during these meetings are essential for addressing complex and emerging challenges, ensuring the UN system delivers substantial value to the countries it supports globally. Participants include representatives from UN Member States, ECOSOC commissions and bodies, as well as UN development agencies, funds, and programs.The recently introduced and adopted Report of the Secretary General on the Follow-up of the Preparations of the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family and the Report of the Commission for Social Development on the sixty-second session highlight the importance of family to achieve the 2030 for Sustainable Development. The documents focus on various themes as of Demographic Shifts, poverty, care and social development.
IFFD’s has supported and contributed to these reports and resolutions on social development. As part of preparations for the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Secretary-General’s report analyzes demographic trends and their impact on families, emphasizing the need for quality education, flexible working arrangements, and investments in long-term care and intergenerational facilities. The Report on the Commission for Social Development features the inputs of IFFD’s for the Priority theme: fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication; and the High-level panel discussion on the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
IFFD’s has promoted various initiatives at national and regional levels. For example, the organization collaborated with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and other stakeholders to organize regional expert meetings. These meetings, such as the one on demographic changes in Africa held in Pretoria and the one on population ageing in Europe held in Torun, Poland, provided valuable insights and recommendations for family policies. The discussions emphasized the importance of long-term care systems, support for migrant domestic workers, and the contributions of older persons in multigenerational households.
At the international level, IFFD has organized and participated in several significant events. During the sixty-first session of the Commission for Social Development in New York, IFFD highlighted the role of family science in sustainable development and the contributions of non-governmental organizations to employment and decent work for all families. Additionally, IFFD co-organized the observance of World Cities Day, where a platform for showcasing good urban practices that enhance family well-being was launched.
Overall, IFFD’s contributions have helped shape responsive policies and programs that address demographic changes and support families globally. Their efforts advocate for work-family balance, caregiver support, intergenerational solidarity, and evidence-based research on demographic trends. By investing in family-oriented policies, IFFD aims to improve the social and economic capital of individuals and communities, fostering stronger relationships and intergenerational cohesion.
