Expert Group Meeting
Categories
Expert Group Meeting - Latin America
About EGM

Introduction
Doha, Qatar, 28 October 2023: Major family formation trends in Latin America, as well as issues impacting recent family policy developments in the context of megatrends including fertility, mortality, and family dynamics, were highlighted at an event organized by Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) – a member of Qatar Foundation – during the Expert Group Meeting event held in Mexico City, Mexico.
Under the theme ‘Megatrends and Families: Focus on Demographic changes in Latin America’, the event was in preparation for the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2024 (IYF+30) and was held in partnership with the Institute for Family Policy Analysis (IAPF), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD).
Other topics addressed during the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) event included early childhood, parenting education, positive parenting, recognition of unpaid work and shared responsibility at home, youth transitions and labor inclusion, and the interlinkages between demographic trends, migration, and urbanization in contemporary Latin America.

Dr. Sharifa Al-Emadi, Executive Director of DIFI, highlighted the importance of addressing the overarching trends and their implications on family policies globally, in preparation for the commemoration of the IYF+30 conference. “DIFI has played a crucial role in pushing for policy changes to support families not only in our region but worldwide, through actively engaging to generate evidence as well as nudging for policy change to support and empower families”. Speaking on the preparations for IYF+30, Renata Kaczmarska, Focal Point of the Family at the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) of UNDESA, said: “Responsive policies and programs that strengthen and support families help to reduce challenges brought about by demographic shifts. “Only a coordinated response will help to achieve stronger relationships and intergenerational solidarity within families and societies. The EGM is to analyze current demographic trends in the region and offer recommendations on the best ways to promote the wellbeing of families in Latin America in light of rapid demographic shifts. Ignacio Socias, Director of Communication and International Relations at IFFD, said: “We are organizing this Latin American expert meeting because, in a region marked by diverse socio-economic disparities and a history of familial structures, robust family policies adapted to the present situation should play a pivotal role in promoting social cohesion and human development, not only as a means to empower individuals and families but also as a path towards achieving greater social equity and progress.” Juan Antonio López Baljarg, Institute for Family Policy Analysis, stated: “The meeting of the Group of Experts “Megatrends and Families: Focus on demographic changes in Latin America” is a space to study the demographic changes that occur in this region in order to contribute to the objectives of the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of Family.”
Recommendations for future action including the importance of conducting more research on the demographic impact on family wellbeing to build a strong local infrastructure that supports urban families in Latin America, and developing, monitoring and implementation policy suggestions and interventions across areas such as fertility, mortality and family dynamics, early childhood, parenting education and positive parenting, youth transitions, labor inclusion and international migration.
Concept note EGM
Background note EGM
The Instituto de Análisis de Política Familiar (IAPF), in partnership with the Focal Point on the Family, Division for Inclusive Social Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Af- fairs (DESA), the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) and Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) are organizing an Expert Group Meeting on “Megatrends and Families: Focus on Demographic changes in Latin America” to be held in México.
The meeting will build on the modalities for the preparations for the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF+30), which focus on several mega trends.
The recommendations for the preparatory works have been reflected in the Reports of the United Nations Secretary General 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, the General Assembly’s resolution on the preparations endorsed those recommendations and advised focusing on the trends of new technologies, migration, urbanization as well as demographic trends and climate change. According to the previously mentioned resolution and relevant United Nations mandates, the Expert Group Meeting aims to address specifically on demographic changes in Latin America.
Recommendations EGM
Schedule
9:00 am
Mexico
Speakers:
Sen. Nancy de la Sierra
Renata Kaczmarska (UN DESA)
Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi (Doha International Family Institute)
9:30 am
Mexico
Fernando Pliego Professor, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Institute of Social Re-search
Francisco Javier Solís Gamboa Coordinador de políticas públicas, Instituto de Análisis de Política Familiar (Mexico)
Moderator: Alex Vázquez, International Federation for Family Development (IFFD)
11:00 am
Coffee Break
11:30 am
Mexico
Ahmed M. Aref, Planning and Content Manager, Doha International Family Institute
Alejandra Mendoza Directora de Formación y Responsabilidad Empresarial, Instituto de Análisis de Polí-tica Familiar (Mexico)
Moderator: Ignacio Socias, International Federation for Family Development (IFFD)
1:00 pm
Lunch
2:00 pm
Mexico
Simone Cecchini Chief of the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre, Population Division of ECLAC
Gabriela Márquez National Coordinator, International Labour Organization (ILO) office for Cuba & Mexico
Moderator: Renata Kaczmarska (UN DESA)
3:30 pm
Mexico
Wrap-up of the first day.
4:00 pm
End
9:00 am
Mexico
Pablo Gluzmann Senior researcher, Center for Distributive, Labor and Social Studies (CEDLAS) of Uni- versidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina)
Enrique Peláez Researcher – Professor, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Consejo Nacional de In- vestigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de (CONICET, Argentina)
Moderator: Juan Antonio López Baljarg , Instituto de Análisis de Política Familiar (IAPF)
10:30 am
Mexico
Elizabeth Thomas-Hope Professor, Department of Geography and Geology, University of the West Indies at Mona (Jamaica)
Cimar Aparicio Senior researcher, Center for Population, Geographical and Demographic Studies of Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo at Vitória (Brazil)
Moderator: Ignacio Socias , International Federation for Family Development (IFFD)
11:00 am
Mexico
Moderator: Alex Vázquez International Federation for Family Development (IFFD)
Wrap-Up: Renata Kaczmarska (UN DESA)
12:00 pm
End
Research – Papers and Presentation
Forjando un Futuro Sostenible
Megatrends & Families
Movilidad Residencialy Dinámica Familiar en las Áreas Metropolitanas de América Latina
Cimar Aparicio, UFES (Brazil)
Policy Development: How Institutions Can Support Policy that Advances Parenting
Dana El Kahlout, Advocacy and Outreach Lead, DIFI
Envejecimiento y Curso de Vida: Necesidad de una Mirada Integral en las Políticas Públicas
Dr. Enrique Peláez, CIECS CONICET, FCE-UNC
PROCESOS DE CAMBIO EN LAS ESTRUCTURAS DE FAMILIA Y BIENESTAR DE LA POBLACIÓN
DR. FERNANDO PLIEGO CARRASCO,INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES SOCIALES, UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTÓNOMA DE MÉXICO.
Fertilidad y mortalidad: una mirada desde las dinámicas familiares y provisión de servicios de apoyo
Senado de la República, México
Rumbo a la conciliación de la vida laboral y familiar
Gabriela Márquez Conde – Oficial Nacional de Proyecto
Claves para entender el Fenómeno de los NiNis en América Latina
Pablo Gluzmann, CEDLAS-FCE-UNLP & CONICET
Cuidados y envejecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe
Simone Cecchini, Director, CELADE – Population Division of the ECLAC
Exploring the Implications of Fertility Decline in Malaysia
Tey Nai Peng, Universiti Malaya
Biographical Notes of Participants
Prof. Meejung Chin
Experts
Prof. Ram B. Bhagat
Experts
Assoc. Prof. Bhubate Samutachak
Experts
Prof. Ki-Soo Eun
Experts
Prof. Narimah Awin
Experts
Prof. Sunil Babu Shrestha
Experts
Prof. Rokuro Tabuchi
Experts
Prof. Rumaya Juhari
Experts
Mr. Jong-ik Lee
Good Practices
Mrs. Lishuang Chen
Good Practices









