During the Informal Stakeholder Hearing convened by the co-facilitators of the preparatory process for the Second World Summit on Social Development, the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) urged Member States and UN bodies to ensure families are at the heart of global efforts to strengthen social cohesion.
Representing IFFD, Dr. Jose Alejandro Vázquez Alarcón, Director of International Relations, delivered a statement reaffirming the organization’s commitment to family-oriented policies as foundational for sustainable and inclusive development.
“We operate in 68 countries, promoting family-friendly policies and parenting support programs as key pillars of sustainable development,” he stated. “In preparation for the Summit, IFFD is coordinating a network of young researchers across 18 countries and a network of more than 200 mayors and governors. These networks are generating evidence-based insights to ensure that the voices and needs of families and their members are meaningfully reflected in the global agenda.”
IFFD’s intervention highlighted three strategic areas that align closely with the themes outlined in the recently released Food for Thought paper guiding the Summit process:
Mental health and well-being, with a specific focus on parents and caregivers;
Recognition and support for care systems, including unpaid care work and intergenerational solidarity;
The role of new technologies, ensuring that digital transitions are inclusive and empowering for families and communities.
Welcoming the Food for Thought paper as “a thoughtful and timely foundation,” Dr. Vázquez Alarcón encouraged Summit organizers to “continue engaging civil society as co-creators of resilient and inclusive social contracts.”
As the momentum builds ahead of the November 2025 Summit in Doha, IFFD remains actively engaged in the preparatory process, advocating for people-centered, family-grounded approaches that advance social development and cohesion at all levels.
