Abu Dhabi:The TRENDS Observatory for the Study of Social Phenomena, part of the TRENDS Group, has announced it will host its inaugural conference titled "The Family at the Heart of Social Transformations" on November 12 at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference will be inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, and Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat.
The event aims to gather a diverse group of researchers, data providers, and representatives from executive and academic institutions, policymakers, and community organizations. Discussions will focus on family-related research and policies, social transformations, and challenges. Additionally, the conference will aim to identify research gaps and promote integration among research, data, and policy-making to bolster national policies, family stability, and well-being.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TRENDS Group, emphasized the family's pivotal role in social stability and sustainable development, highlighting the need for reliable research and data to inform policymaking. He noted that investing in families is crucial for strengthening social cohesion and human capital.
Sultan Majid, Director-General of TRENDS Observatory, stated that the conference will explore changes in marriage and fertility patterns, family structures, work-care balance, and the effects of digital transformation on family relationships. He expressed optimism that the discussions would set priorities for enhancing family stability and creating a sustainable research agenda to tackle emerging social challenges.
The conference will feature four sessions covering topics such as education and the role of youth and families, family formation and structural changes, work-care balance, and mental health and family connections. Officials, academics, and experts from various institutions will participate in these sessions, including the Ministry of Family, the Family Development Foundation, and several universities.
Strategic partners for the conference include the Arab Youth Centre, which will launch a joint study on families in the Arab world, as well as the United Arab Emirates University, the University of Sharjah, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
