The Program for Social Policy Evaluation and Research (PROSPER) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Public Policy (CPP) is organizing a virtual side event during the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD) taking place from February 8-17. CSocD is one of the largest UN meetings attended by member states, ministers, international organizations, and NGOs. 

The side event, titled “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Families and Children: Global Evidence and Policy Implications”, will take place on February 11, from 10 am to 11:15 am Eastern Standard Time (6 pm to 7:15 pm Doha time). The goal is to bring together civil society organizations, academia, and UN entities to discuss the results of the global study “The Impact of the Pandemic on Family Life Across Cultures”, which was conducted in 72 countries in partnership with the UN, universities and civil society organizations, and is being led by Dr. Anis Ben Brik, associate professor and founding director of PROSPER. 

PROSPER is organizing the side event in partnership with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)’s Division for Inclusive Social Development; the Wheatley Institution, Brigham Young University, USA; Institute of the Family, University of La Sabana, Colombia; European Large Families Confederation; and Focus on the Family Asia. By bringing together the UN, international NGOs, and universities, the event will facilitate exchanges and collaboration among multiple stakeholders, to identify and discuss challenges and family policies amid the pandemic. The meeting will also provide an important opportunity to highlight the vital role of the family in achieving sustainable development goals and inclusive societies.

More information on the virtual side event is available through the UN website at https://bit.ly/39HZ5zh