QU's Sesri, Difi present national survey on child well-being

Qatar University (QU)’s Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (Sesri), in collaboration with Doha International Family Institute (Difi), hosted a dissemination workshop titled 'Child Well-Being in Qatar: Insights and Implications' recently.The event brought together academics, experts, and policymakers to discuss the results of one of the country’s pioneering national surveys on child well-being. The survey’s results revealed a strong correlation between children’s well-being and family stability, with the majority of participants reporting high levels of family satisfaction and parental involvement.Speakers at the event underscored the importance of child well-being as a national priority aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030. They highlighted how the survey’s findings contribute to developing evidence-based policies that support families and promote sustainable development for children in Qatar.In his opening remarks, Dr Mohammed al-Safran, associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU, said, "Child well-being is not merely an academic topic; it is a strategic priority, as emphasised in the National Development Strategy (2024–2030), which highlights children’s survival, development, and rights as central to Qatar’s vision for human development.”Dr al-Safran added that the project reflects the university’s commitment to transforming field data into practical policies, calling it "an invitation to meaningful scientific dialogue and constructive engagement between researchers and policymakers.”Dr Noora al-Mannai, director of Sesri, noted, "This survey is among the first national, systematic studies to assess child well-being in Qatari society—a subject of great importance that is closely tied to the goals of sustainable human and social development outlined in Qatar National Vision 2030.”She further emphasised that the results serve as a valuable reference for educational, health, and social institutions and a call to deepen research on childhood issues as part of our collective responsibility toward future generations.The workshop featured a presentation of the survey’s findings by Prof Kaltham al-Ghanim, lead researcher and professor of Sociology at QU, followed by policy recommendations from experts at QU and DIFI.The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Abdulrahman al-Rahmani and featuring distinguished speakers from various sectors, including Dr Madiha Kamal (senior consultant, Sidra Medicine), Fatima al-Tamimi (director of Family Support and Psychological Counseling at the Shafallah Center), and Dr Ibrahim al-Ansari (dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at QU).The session explored the concept of holistic child wellbeing, during which participants exchanged insights on ways to enhance children’s wellbeing in Qatar from a comprehensive and sustainable perspective. The discussion shed light on the interconnection between physical, psychological, educational, and spiritual dimensions in fostering a balanced and supportive environment for children’s growth and development.Experts concluded that the survey's findings provide a solid foundation for designing more effective preventive and developmental programmes.