NCFR's United Nations Representatives Mihaela Robila, Ph.D., CFLE, and Bahira Sherif Trask, Ph.D., have been particularly active in U.N.-related business over the last few months.

In December, Dr. Robila presented the paper “International Perspectives on Youth and Family Policies: A Focus on the Transition to Adulthood” at the Expert Meeting Group, The Role of Families and Family Policy in Supporting Youth Transitions, organized by UNDESA and the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) in Doha, Qatar. NCFR member Yan Ruth Xia, Ph.D., CFLE, also presented a paper at this meeting titled “Family Policy for Positive Youth Development.” More information on this expert group meeting, including all papers and presentations, can be found on DIFI's website.

Both Dr. Robila and Dr. Trask attended the 57th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD57), held Feb. 11-21, 2019 at U.N. Headquarters. The agenda included reviewing U.N. plans and programs of action on the following topics: family issues and policies, aging, disabled persons, and youth.

• You can read draft resolutions, statements, highlights, and more from the 57th Session, as well as view webcasts, photos, and videos, on the CSocD57 website.
• Included among these documents is the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Year of the Family.
• Also of note to family professionals is the Joint Oral Statement by DIFI Executive Director Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi, representing 10 civil society organizations that drafted a civil statement on parenting. A video of the statement (in Arabic) is available as well as the written text in English.

Finally, Dr. Robila and Dr. Trask are attending the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) taking place at the U.N. on March 11-22, 2019. The priority theme is social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Information and resources on this commission can be found on the CSW63 website.