Objectives of family year meeting disclosed

By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter The objectives of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family to be held in 2014 will  be: Confronting family poverty and social exclusion, ensuring work-family balance and advancing social integration and intergenerational solidarity within families and communities. This was disclosed by Renata Kaczmarska, social affairs officer United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs during an interview with Gulf Times at the Doha International Family Institute’s meeting for the Mena region . 1994 was celebrated as International Family Year by the United Nations and thereafter every 10th year is celebrated as  anniversary year with  a special conferences. The 10th  anniversary of the International Year of Family  was held  in Doha in 2004. Kaczmarska said: “This is a UN framework to hold a conference every 10th year. It is a good time to assess the progress on family issues and provide recommendations for future.” The UN official further said that the 2014 conference has several objectives such as raising awareness on family issues. She said: “The 20th anniversary conference will discuss various  challenges that families face.” She further stated that the conference would acknowledge the challenges facing families and the efforts governments have to put in  to empower families to perform their duties. Kaczmarska said regional and international meetings will be held to assess the present scenario and analyse the challenges ahead. She added: “There will be many publications which will raise awareness about various issues that the families are facing at present. The meetings also will evaluate the trends in different regions. There will also be recommendations on what special things the governments must do.” As for the Millennium Development Goals of the UN, Kaczmarska said that most of them have been achieved globally.  “In China and India, many people have emerged from poverty and these countries account for a huge number of people. But in many countries, especially in Africa the situation has not changed in many cases.” However she clarified that poverty had been treated with income in general.But it is not just about income but about the quality of living. It is about jobs and healthcare and more education and empowerment.” She added. She said the 2014 conference will be inclusive with representation from all the regions.  “We expect 200 people to participate. Hopefully all the countries in the UN will be part of the meet.”