![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d.png)
Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem
Chair of Architecture and the Founding Director of Research, York School
of Architecture, the University of York
Professor Abdelmonem was a Chair in Architecture at Nottingham Trent University. He held various academic roles at Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Sheffield,
and served as Visiting Professor at The University of California at Berkeley, Royal College of Art, and Beijing Institute of technology & CEPT University in India. Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Patron of the Home Renaissance
Foundation, Gamal is a multiple award winner and the recipient of The Queen’s Anniversary Prize (2021), UK’s highest national award for research, Research Excellence Award (2020), the Jeffrey Cook Award (2014), and the runner up
for the prestigious Newton Prize (2020). Professor Abdelmonem research focuses on architectural theory and history, architectural and urban heritage, architecture of home, spatial practices in urban spaces, virtual technologies,
and IT for Older people homes and climate change. Gamal’s research has informed governments, international organisations, and featured in leading academic journals and government policies. His recent books include ‘Peripheries:
Edge Conditions in Architecture’ (2012), ‘Portrush: Towards an Architecture for the North Irish Coast’ (2013); ‘The Architecture of Home in Cairo’ (2016), and “Architecture, Space and Memory of Resurrection in Northern Ireland”
(2019); and ‘People, Care and Work in the Home’ (2020).
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s.png)
Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi
Executive Director of Doha International Family Institute, DIFI
Dr. Al Emadi is a certified clinical psychologist by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar. She currently
functions as a licensed psychologist to treat behavioral disorders, specifically drug addictions. She has been teaching family relations at Qatar University. She has delivered several courses and workshops in this field in Qatar
and abroad and has presented papers in several international conferences pertaining to several fields of study and research, some of which were published in international magazines. She held the position of Executive Director of
Protection and Social Rehabilitation and Executive Director of International and Community Relations at the Naufar Center. Besides her role as the Executive Director of Doha International Family Institute, she is also a member
of the National Committee for Women, Children, the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities; and a board member in the Social Sciences and Humanities Department at Qatar University. Dr. Al Emadi holds PhD and Master’s degrees in Psychology
and Counselling from Manchester Metropolitan University and was awarded the PhD Degree holders Platinum Medal at the Education Excellence Day in Qatar for the year 2009.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/r.png)
Ruben P. Viramontez Anguiano
Professor, University of Colorado
Dr. Viramontez Anguiano is a Professor and the Founding Chair of the Human Development and Family Relations Program in the School
of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver. He completed his M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) from Iowa State University and his Ph.D. in HDFS from Michigan State University. Dr.
Viramontez Anguiano is the son of immigrant Mexican parents and has dedicated over 30 years of his life to serving immigrant families, families of color and other underserved families in 9 different states. Through his Esperanza
College Group he has helped hundreds of Latino/a students, and their families establish a successful pathway to higher education including earning scholarships. His research has focused on rural and urban Latino/a families, schools
and communities. He has been instrumental in developing the first bilingual (Spanish and English) HDFS in the United States and Canada. As the Founding Chair at the University of Colorado Denver the HDFS program is one of the first
that has concentrated on diversity, equity and inclusion. He has received numerous awards, honors and recognition for his teaching and his work in education and the community with diverse communities.
Ahmed Aref
Planning and Content Manager, Doha International Family Institute, DIFI
Experienced policy-research expert, working on evidence-based policy development including research, interdisciplinary
policy analysis, impact assessment, advocacy and international cooperation. Prior to joining Qatar Foundation, Ahmed worked for UNFPA Arab States Regional Office, EU Program on Family and Child Rights and the Egyptian Prime Minister’s
Office. His broader areas of expertise include politics of social policies, political economy, labour policies, family policies, social justice and protection, migration, social inclusion/exclusion, demography, populations dynamics
and sustainable development. He led strategic initiatives and managed impact- oriented projects in the mentioned fields. He contributed to numerous national, regional and international conferences and EGMs. Ahmed holds a PhD from
the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath, UK.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/j.png)
Juan Antonio López Baljarg
Director general, Instituto de Análisis de Política Familiar, IAPF
Mr. Baljarg holds a Master’s degree in Government and Public Policies from the Universidad Panamericana
with a specialization in Institutional Government from the “Universidad Complutense de Madrid”, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the “Universidad Anáhuac”. As a Director General of IAPF he has promoted laws and public
policies for the Federal Government of Mexico, Senate of the Republic, Chamber of Deputies, 7 State Governments, 12 Local Congresses, and 40 Municipal Governments. He is the Counselor of “COPARMEX Nacional” and member of the Ethics
Committee of “TV Azteca.” In 2021 and 2022, he was recognized by the magazine Campaigns and Elections as one of “the 100 young people who are already shaping the future of Mexico.” Advisor and counselor on political and social
issues in organizations such as “Consejo de la Comunicación”, “Unión Nacional de Padres de Familia”, and “Educación con Rumbo”, he has conducted workshops and lectures on government and civil society in most states of the Mexican
Republic and various countries in Latin America.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/m.png)
Martin Bujard
Deputy Director, Federal Institute for Population Research, BIB
Martin Bujard is Deputy Director at the Federal Institute for Population Research and head of department “Family
and Fertility”. He is Professor of Medical Sociology and Family Sociology at Heidelberg University. He built up large-scale data infrastructures for family research, e.g., he is co-founder and consortium coordinator of the German
Family Demography Panel Study FReDA and Germany’s representative in the Consortium Board of the Generation and Gender Programme (GGP). His research examines issues in family sociology, demography, and public health. He is involved
in policy advice such as member of expert committee on “Strengthening Family Solidarity” for demographic strategy of the German Federal Government and since 2020 member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry for
Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). Since 2019 he is honorary president of the Protestant Association for Families (eaf) and advocates for the interests of families.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d-1.png)
Donna Butts
Executive Director, Generations United
Donna Butts has served as the Executive Director of Generations United since 1997. Generations United is a global organization headquartered
in Washington, DC. Founded over 35 years ago, the mission is to improve the lives of children, youth and older adults through intergenerational collaboration, public policies and programs for the enduring benefit of all. Butts
is an internationally known speaker, author and advocate addressing intergenerational connections, grandparents raising grandchildren and policies effective across the lifespan. She has served on five United Nations expert panels
on intergenerational and family issues and is a graduate of Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. Her awards include recognition three years in a row by The Nonprofit Times as one of the Top 50 nonprofit
executives in the US; one of the 2015 Top 50 Influencers in Aging by Next Avenue; and the 2017 Family Award from the International Federation for Family Development. Under her leadership, Generations United received the 2015 Eisner
Prize for Excellence in Intergenerational Advocacy. Butts is a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. In 2023, in preparation for the International Year of the Family+30, Butts directed an international expert symposium
resulting in the publication of Changing Demographics can Result in Strengthening Families. The report outlined findings, best practices, and policy and other recommendations to support intergenerational solidarity.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ro.png)
Roberto Ciambetti
President, Regional Council of Veneto Region
Mr. Ciambetti is a surveyor and by working in the private sector he has developed high skills in the environmental field, major hazards
and civil protection. He was the author of regional laws on environmental issues, such as protection of water resources and fight against light pollution. He has been also the drafter of the law for the implementation in Veneto
of circular economy. For his environmental commitments he has had the satisfaction to see the International Astronomical Union (IAU) at Harvard University giving his name to the asteroid 24087. Since June 2015 he has been President
of the regional Council of Veneto and vice President ELISAN, European Local Inclusion and Social Action network, member of European Committee of the Regions and member of the European Commission’s Enve (Enviroment Climate change
and Energy) , Nat. (Natural Resources) Sedec (Social Policy education, employment, research and Culture), Cives (Commision for citizenship, governance, institutional and external affairs). He is an expert in Venetian traditions,
history and culture. Mr. Ciambetti is married and he has two daughters.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pd.png)
Patricia Debeljuh
Director, Centro Conciliación Familia y Empresa, IAE Business School
Director of the Research Center for Work and Family Balance, IAE Business School – Austral University, Buenos
Aires (Argentina). Professor with over twenty years of academic experience. Her areas of specialization include business ethics, corporate social responsibility, work and family balance and women leadership. Member of a faculty,
in charge of Executive MBA courses and training seminars for executives, mentor and director of doctoral theses and master’s degrees. Author of several publications and books. Lecturer and speaker at international events in all
Latin American countries. She has accompanied IFREI accreditation processes in companies in Argentina and Central America, and worked for the International Labor Organization, ILO. She has led research projects on financial inclusion
of women in partnership with the IFC – World Bank and training and empowerment of women in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank. She has participated as an expert convened for the Gender Parity Initiative, promoted
by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) with the support of the Argentine government through the Chief of Cabinet of Ministers. (2017) Awards received: “Orden de Mérito Protectora de la Familia”,
awarded by Suma Veritas Foundation and the Rotary Club in 2009. In 2011 was elected one of the 100 top women leaders in Argentina by Apertura Magazine. In 2013, she received “Woman Leadership” for her academic career in promoting
the development of women in business, awarded by Confederación Argentina de la Mediana Empresa (CAME). In 2019, her work received the highest distinction of the Honorable Senate of the Nation, the “Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Honorable
Mention”, which is awarded to people or entities of cultural, professional and academic activities. in recognition of his entrepreneurial work aimed at improving the quality of life of people, institutions and their communities.
Member of the International Society of Business, Economics and Ethics (ISBEE), and Association of Human Resources of Argentina.
Ángela de Miguel
Project and Media Manager, Home Renaissance Foundation
Ángela de Miguel is an Expert in Communication (University of Navarra) and holds a Master’s Degree in Radio (San Pablo CEU
University). Since 2016 she has been responsible for Communications and Projects at Home Renaissance Foundation. She has also worked as Head of Public Affairs in Brussels for Carter Lane and has been linked to the academic world
since 2010 when she was professor of Radio Information at Villanueva University where, among other positions, she directed the Career Guidance department. She began her professional career at Radio Cope where she worked as a writer
and producer in different programmes of the radio station.
Angeles Destefano
PHD Candidate, Universidad Austral
Angeles Destefano is an expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with a strong academic background. She holds postgraduate degrees
in Human Resources Management and Marriage and Family Relations. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in communication at the Universidad Austral. Angeles has gained extensive experience in her field by working with industry
leaders and leading global transformative DEI projects. She currently resides in Toronto, Canada, where she leads DEI initiatives in the mining sector and serves on the Advisory Council of the International Women in Mining. Along
with her academic roles at Universidad Austral in Argentina and York University in Canada, Angeles conducts innovative projects on work-life balance, women’s leadership, human resources, and DEI. Angeles is passionate about women
in the workplace studies and believes in its crucial role in developing resilient families.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mrmf.png)
Maria Regina Maroncelli Florio
President, European Large Families Confederation, ELFAC
Angeles Destefano is an expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with a strong Ms. Florio graduated
in foreign languages and literature, and works as a teacher and a journalist, specialising in sustainability and integral ecology. She has volunteered for the Italian Large Families Association (ANFN) as a communication director,
and has been a member of the board together with her husband Fabrizio for 8 years. They are now delegates for international issues. In June 2018 she became the president of ELFAC which gathers large families’ associations from
23 European countries, promoting and advocating for the rights, the values and the wellbeing of families, particularly those with 3 and more children. Since the establishment of the European Network of family friendly municipalities
she has served as its coordinator; today it counts 150 municipalities from 9 European Countries. She loves to travel and meet new people, cultures, and stories. She believes in the power of beauty and in the beauty of family. She
is married and has 4 children. She lives in Bergamo, Italy
Antonio Franzina
Head of the Press Office, Regional Council of Veneto Region
Mr. Franzina is a professional journalist, and one of the experts who designed and works for the implementation of
the Venice Declaration. He has been an art critic, between 1998 and 2004 and Head of the Second Urb-Al Network (European Union- Latin America Programme for the recovery and restoration of historic centres). For 25 years he has
been Vice-President of the “A. Palladio” International Centre for Architectural Studies (CISA Foundation) and of the Palladio Museum of Vicenza. He is a member of the General Council of the Cuoa Foundation (Cuoa Network University
International Business School). He is an author of publications and guides on history of art especially on Venetian Villas, Architecture and Landscape as well as the recovery and restoration of historical monuments.
David B. Harris
President of Children’s Research and Education Institute
David B. Harris is the President of Children’s Research and Education Institute, a partner at Kids Project, a senior research
fellow at the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University, an advisory board member of the Social Policies for Health Equity Research Center at Harvard University, an affiliate of the Center on Poverty and Inequality
at Stanford University, and a senior research fellow at UNICEF Innocenti, Global Office for Research and Foresight. He received a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare from Columbia University.
Ismahalil Ishak
Social Research Officer at the National Population and Family Development
Board, NPFDB
Ismahalil Ishak has been a Social Research Officer at the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) in Malaysia since 2004. The Board’s objective is to strengthen families and
promote family well-being. He holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and specializes in family development. He has been actively involved in developing the national family policy and conducting family research. Currently, he leads
the strategic planning division, playing a key role in shaping policies that impact families in Malaysia. His expertise lies in contributing to the well-being and development of families through research and policy development.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mj.png)
Mercedes Jaureguibeitia
CEO Home Renaissance Foundation
Since studying Business and Commerce at the School of Commerce in Bilbao, Spain, Mercedes has worked extensively in the charitable sector,
primarily in managerial roles and financial administration. After specialising in the field of accountancy and finance, she became Financial Consultant, then Company Director and Finance Director to Dawliffe Hall Educational Foundation
(DHEF). She attained a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Management of non-profit organisations from City University. Mercedes was appointed Project Manager of the international interdisciplinary conference Excellence in the Home,
the impetus behind Home Renaissance Foundation, of which she is co-founder, going on to become Executive Director of HRF in 2007. The skills Mercedes has acquired in the voluntary sector particularly in fund-raising, management
and communications, have enabled her to raise the profile of HRF as a pioneering think tank and direct it towards achieving its objective to promote and develop greater recognition of the importance of the work required to create
a thriving home.
Kinga Joó
European Policy and International Affairs Advisor, National Association of Large
Families, Hungary, NOE
Coordinator of international relations at the National Association of Large Families (NOE), the widest network of families in Hungary. Since 2010 she has also been a member of the
European Economic and Social Committee, the representative body of organised civil society in the European Union. As a member of the Committee, she was rapporteur for the opinions on the European Care Strategy and on the European
Child Guarantee and was president of the study group on the Work-life balance directive. Ms. Joó has a background in humanities and international relations. She holds a Master’s degree from the Pázmány Péter Catholic University
in Hungary and the Centre International de Formation Européenne in France. She is married and has three children.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/vl.png)
Vivian Lou
Professor at Department of Social Work & Social Administration at the
University of Hong Kong
Professor Lou Vivian W. Q. is the Director of Sau Po Centre on Ageing, and Professor at Department of Social Work & Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. Her research
interests focus on family gerontology, in particular family caregiving for dementia, stroke, end-of-life older adults, and social adaptation and mental health of Chinese older adults and family caregivers. She has committed to
cross-sector collaboration with community partners, social enterprises, and the market. Prof. Lou has been appointed as a member of Statistics Advisory Board, Community Investment and Inclusion Fund, Senior Police Call Central
Advisory Board, and Elderly Academy Development Foundation of the HKSAR Government. She is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, and a Council member of Hong Kong Association of Gerontology and Consortium of Institutes
of Family Limited (CIFA). Professor Lou is recognized as Healthy Ageing 50 leaders transforming the world to be a better place in which to grow older in 2022 and Woman Change Maker in STEM in 2023.
Irwan Nadzif Mahpul
Researcher at the Population and Family Research Division, National Population
& Family Development Board, NPFDB
Mr. Irwan Nadzif Mahpul serves as a researcher at the Population and Family Research Division, National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB), Malaysia since
2004. Having served for 20 years, he is responsible for conducting national population and family research in the country. His latest research projects include the Malaysian Family Well-Being Index 2022 and the Sixth Malaysian
Population and Family Survey 2024. In addition, he is also doing evaluation research on programs and services offered by the NPFDB to the communities.
Diosdado B. Marasigan
President, Educhild Foundation, Inc.
Diosdado B. Marasigan is the president of EDUCHILD Foundation (part of the International Federation for Family Development, IFFD) in
the Philippines. EDUCHILD is a Philippine non-stock, non-profit organization formed by parents in 1976 to help fellow parents in the task of raising a family. He also serves as a Board Member of IFFD with its mission to support
families through training based on participative methodology to help parents improve their relationships with their spouses and develop their child- rearing skills. He was a head organizer of the 21st IFFD World Congress of Family
Enrichment and 2nd IFFD World Congress of Personal Project, held on 24-25 February 2024 in Cebu City, Philippines. He is a lawyer by training and vice dean of the UA&P Institute of Law and the UA&P Entrepreneurial Management Program,
School of Management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/zm.png)
Zitha Mokomane
Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Pretoria,
South Africa
Zitha Mokomane is a Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She holds an MA and PhD in Demography from the Australian National University.
Her research focuses on family demography, work-family interface, social protection, social policy, and, to a lesser extent, adolescent and youth reproductive health. With a particular focus on the global South, her research aims
to generate a new understanding of how prevailing socioeconomic and demographic changes interact with various family dynamics to impact the welfare, well-being, and functioning of families and their members, particularly women,
children, and youth. She has disseminated her research findings widely in outputs that include journal articles, book chapters, books, conference papers and keynote addresses. Many of the recommendations of her research and collaboration
with international organizations have been incorporated into global, regional, and national policies aimed at enhancing family well-being, work-family reconciliation, and improving access to social protection.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dr.png)
Dominic Richardson
Managing Director of the Learning for Well-being Institute
The Institute is a global research ‘start-up’ working to promote a more holistic appreciation of child well-being
in public policy and practice. For almost a decade, Dominic led two of UNICEF’s global research teams, education and social policy and economic analysis at the Office of Research – Innocenti, where he oversaw work on cash transfers
and cash plus programmes (including gender responsive social protection), social expenditure and ECD policies, the Innocenti Report Card Series, and global research on family policies and child development and well-being. Dominic
previously worked with OECD Social Policy Division on a broad range of studies covering child well-being, evaluating family policies, integrating human services, and social impact investment. Dominic has led or co-authored multiple
reports on comparative child well-being in high- income countries, including studies evaluating the content and quality of international surveys of school children in high and middle- income countries, studies of children’s life
skills development in middle-income settings, and studies of teacher absenteeism and motivation in low-income settings. His most recent work on child well-being ‘What Makes Me?’ is a review of global literature on age-related child
development of innate human skills. Dominic was awarded the 2018 Jan Trost Award (lifetime achievement) for Outstanding Contributions in International Family Studies by the National Council for Family Relations in the United States.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ig.png)
Ignacio Socias
Director of International Relations for the International Federation for Family
Development, IFFD
Ignacio Socias holds a doctorate in Law and serves as the Director of International Relations for the International Federation for Family Development. Since 2010, his role has involved
extensive global engagement in coordination with United Nations’ activities. He has visited 64 cities in 45 countries, participated in 206 international meetings, delivered 198 keynote speeches, and conducted 87 high-level meetings
with government representatives. He has been instrumental in driving the global projects ‘The SDGs and families’ and ‘Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families’. Furthermore, he represented IFFD in the European Commission project
‘FamiliesAndSocieties’ (2013- 2017) and has actively participated in high-level family-focused events at the European Parliament, the Committee of Regions, and the Economic and Social Committee. In recognition of his contributions,
Ignacio Socias has received several prestigious awards in Europe and America.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3.jpeg)
Bahira Trask
Professor, University of Delaware
Dr. Bahira Trask is a Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with
a concentration in International Relations from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on globalization, women’s employment, and family change in Western and
non-Western countries, and she presents regularly on these topics at international forums. Recently, Dr. Trask has worked on issues of urbanization and migration from a global perspective. Dr. Trask has authored and edited several
books including Women, Work, and Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities (Routledge, 2014), Globalization and Families: Accelerated Systemic Social Change, (Springer, 2010) and Cultural Diversity and Families (Sage, 2007),
as well as having published over 100 peer reviewed articles, chapters, and reports. Much of Dr. Trask’s scholarship has been informed through participation with a number of international, national and community-based research projects
that focus on diversity, gender and work, and strengthening low-income families. Her work has been funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Marguirite Casey Foundation, Blueprints Delaware and various local community initiatives.
Dr. Trask is a fellow of NCFR, the National Council on Family Relations, she has won the Jan Trost award for excellence in international scholarship and in 2017 she was awarded the University of Delaware Excellence in Teaching
Award. In 2022 she received the prestigious Groves Sussman Award for her work in International Family Studies and Policy.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/java.png)
Jose Alejandro Vazquez Alarcon
Representative to the UN/Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, IFFD
Jose Alejandro Vazquez Alarcon is the United Nations representative for the International Federation
for Family Development. He plays a crucial role in connecting Member States, academia, the UN system, families, and diverse civil society stakeholders. With a Ph.D. in Political Thought and Development, Alex offers valuable insights
and actively engages stakeholders in finding practical solutions. He is a strong advocate for work-family balance, shared responsibilities at home, and the implementation of parenting education programs. Alex has shared his expertise
in promoting these causes as an invited expert at numerous United Nations Conferences, Meetings, and Commissions on Family, Parenting, Ageing, Care, and Youth Transitions held at prestigious venues worldwide. Notably, Alex has
led the creation of a comprehensive evidence-based Global Report on Families, Family Policies, and the Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with UNICEF. Currently, he oversees various projects, including “Inclusive Cities
and Sustainable Families,” which gathers family-friendly policy recommendations from urban areas. He is also coordinating preparations for the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2024, leading a Civil Society
Declaration signed by more than 40 organizations across five continents. Alex’s academic background includes a stint as a visiting scholar at the European Institute of Columbia University, New York, and he holds a Master of Arts
in Government and Culture of Organizations from the University of Navarra, Spain.
Madeleine Wallin
Secretary General, European Federation of Parents and Carers at Home, FEFAF
Madeleine Wallin is General Secretary of the European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home
(FEFAF) as well as the International Coordinator and Board Member for Haro: she previously served as President of both organizations. In her work at FEFAF and Haro, she advocates freedom of choice and equality for parents in Swedish
family politics and wants to raise awareness about children’s needs and the importance of motherhood. She is a mother of five children.
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/skw.png)
Susan K. Walker
Professor, University of Minnesota
Susan Walker is Associate Professor Emeritus of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. For 40 years Susan has worked in the service
of families, primarily in parenting education and early childhood research, practice and policy. She is a former state Extension Specialist in Family Life and Human Development at the University of Maryland and recently retired
from Minnesota where for 10 years she directed the licensed Parent and Family Education teacher preparation and Masters of Education graduate program. Her specialty bridges family life, education and technology. In 2021, Ms. Walker
prepared a background report and presented on Technology and the Family for the United Nations Year of the Family. While at the University of Minnesota, she created the course, Critical Perspectives on Technology and the Family,
and launched an open textbook in fall of 2022. Her research on technology integration in parenting education includes professional experiences adopting face to face programs to online delivery during COVID. Her international work
includes consulting with the University of Iceland and Education University of Hong Kong.
United Nations Staff
Masumi Ono
Chief, Social Inclusion and Participation Branch, UNDESA
Masumi leads a dedicated team of specialists on issues related to older persons, youth, persons with disabilities and family.
Her 25 years of UN experience include supporting the development of Sustainable Development Goals from the Secretary-General’s office, mobilizing high-level advocacy work on education finance, preparing reports for the Economic
and Social Council and the General Assembly on cross-sectoral themes such as gender, poverty eradication and UN system coherence, and managing trade facilitation programmes in the Asia Pacific region. Before joining the UN through
the National Competitive Exam (YPP), she worked in Finance having obtained MBA and BA (Economics) both from Cornell University (USA).
![](https://difi.org.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/cbg.png)
Chista Behbin-Guirand
Intern, UNDESA
Chista joined the UN as a social affairs intern in February 2024. Prior to interning at the UN, she attended the University of Toronto (U of T), receiving
her Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies with a double minor in Environmental Ethics and Environmental Anthropology. While studying at U of T, she conducted a number of research projects focusing on equitable and climate change
initiatives. She acted as project lead for her senior capstone, focusing on container gardens in the urban environment. Upon completing her studies at UofT, she returned to New York to complete her second Bachelor’s in International
Trade and Marketing with a double minor in Economics and History of Art at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Here, she gained a deeper understanding of global trade and corporate social responsibility. She produced several presentations
which included demographics research, environmental scanning, and market analysis. She is passionate about sustainable development initiatives and eager to learn at the UN while contributing her academic knowledge and fluency in
two languages.
Renata Kaczmarska
Social Affairs Officer, UNDESA
Renata is the Focal Point on Family in the Division for Inclusive Social Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the United
Nations Secretariat in New York. In this capacity, she acts as a spokesperson on family issues for the United Nations Secretariat. She prepares publications and drafts UN reports on a variety of subjects relating to families and
organizes international and regional expert group meetings on family policy issues, observances of the International Day of Families and other events to raise awareness of the importance of family policies for the achievement of
Sustainable Development Goals and targets. She is currently engaged in the preparations for the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, 2024. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Social Sciences and Bachelor
of Arts in Political Science as well as United Nations Studies Graduate Diploma.