Opening Session of 30th Anniversary of International Year of Family Conference Highlights Imperative of Family-Support Policies amid Current Challenges

Doha: The inaugural high-level session, which was held today as part of the events of the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family Conference, underscored the importance of focusing on policies that support families in light of the current challenges. The inaugural session discussed the imperative of policies that support families by essentially focusing on families as the nucleus of society when economic and social strategies are crafted. The discussion addressed the current challenges facing the developing countries and ways to upward mobility for youth and keep them away from violence vortex. HE President of the Republic of Kosovo Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu talked about the wars that engulfed Kosovo and subsequently impacted families and how the consecutive governments had succeeded in maintaining these families, pointing out that families in Kosovo are beset by existential problems and challenges of safeguarding their national identity. Her Excellency stressed the importance of familial, s ocial and economic policies with families as the nucleus of these polices in addressing pressing challenges and preserving childrens education, empowering vulnerable groups, and investing in youth to create a more resilient future. In this context, she emphasized the importance of optimal utilization and provision of technology, and facilitating access to it so as to empower new generations and achieve sustainable development for communities. HE the President of the Republic of Kosovo emphasized that it is imperative to protect tight-knit families and morally supporting mothers and children and upward mobility for them to be protected from violence, affirming that these segments can be very productive in violence prevention. There are many lessons that have been learned from familial issues and policies over the past ten years, as these issues represent a strategic concern for nations globally. Her Excellency elucidated the importance of raising awareness among families and young people to handle new techno logies that should bring people together and protect values, said HE Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. HE President of Zanzibar Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi reviewed the experience of his country in giving foremost attention to families, adding that Zanzibar leveraged the technology to advance education until all new schools were provided with computers to access the internet. He pointed out that these strategies resulted in positive outcomes for students in all regions, particularly villages and remote areas, thus reducing unemployment and elevating the awareness level. His Excellency highlighted that Zanzibar has invested in health system and facilities, critical infrastructure and human resources, as well as community awareness which have dramatically reduced mortalities among children and infants, in addition to providing economic opportunities and affordable loans to those in need so they can improve their lives. This was accomplished by offering a social network that included comprehensive health coverage, so that e veryone could benefit from health services within the national health program for young people starting from the age of 17. His Excellency indicated that his country offered a social service network, as well as legislation and laws that protect families and enhance the welfare of elderly and people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. He spoke about the community support system for children and women, where a unit was established for women within police stations to report any violence against themselves or against children and girls, stating that these strategies not only enhance the quality of life for families but also contribute to the growth and prosperity of society. HE Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi affirmed that what has been accomplished thus far has given utmost priority to the social protection of families in the new plans, however, there is a lack of implementation strategies. He stated that his country has already implemented a plethora of strategies, but many people are still waiting for fur ther plans, asserting that Zanzibar has set a strategy of best practices to enforce the plans during the next decade. Source: Qatar News Agency