Doha, September 15 (QNA) - Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) had convened a panel discussion, titled "20 Years of Policy Change: DIFI's Story of Global Impact", highlighting the leading role DIFI has played over two decades in supporting and developing family policies on the national, regional, and global stages.
The panel was moderated by Director of Advocacy and Outreach at DIFI, Dr. Khaled Al Naama, and was attended by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), Khalifa bin Issa bin Abdullah Al Kubaisi, and Executive Director of DIFI, Dr. Sharifa Al Emadi.
The panelists confirmed that, since its establishment in 2006, DIFI has strengthened research on Arab families, promoted evidence-based policies, and helped bring Arab perspectives into national, regional, and global family policy discussions.
Dr. Al Emadi said DIFI has moved from producing knowledge about families to influencing policies and changing laws, confirming that the research it conducts in partnership with MSDF helps move from research to policies that can be implemented on the ground.
She stressed the importance of family policies adapting to rapid social and technological changes, and said that, with challenges such as digital addiction, what matters more is to largely focus on prevention and strengthening parents' awareness, as well as furnishing them with tools they need.
HE Al Kubaisi reflected on the partnership between MSDF and DIFI, pointing to the role of research and evidence in supporting the development of national policies, programs, and strategies related to families.
He pointed to the recent changes in government employment policy as an example of how research can be turned into practical measures that support families and working parents, remarking that the recent amendments to the Human Resources Law are a good example of how research can help shape policy, including greater flexibility in maternity leave and working hours.
Al Kubaisi explained that digital transformation and artificial intelligence are among the most important changes people face today, calling for society to look at digital transformation from a family and social perspective, not only from a technical one, because it affects family cohesion, communication between parents and children, and the quality of time spent at home.
In addition, the session delved into Qatar's family policy goals in the context of the nation's development strategy and debated the national ‘Digitally Aware Family' campaign launched by MSDF, which aims to enhance digital safety awareness and empower families to protect their children. (QNA)