Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development co-sponsor symposium in Malta

The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is co-sponsoring a symposium on the nature and importance of the family, held at the Aula Magna in the Old University building of the University of Malta. 

Titled “Parenting and the Influence of Culture”, the event will focus on philosophical, conceptual and theoretical principles of the family unit. 

Taking place over two days, the symposium has been created to provide a forum to explore the jurisprudential principles that underlie parenting, parent-child relations, and the legal recognition and regulation of those relationships. 

With particular reference to cultural and traditional influences and expectations, the goal of this meeting is to consider the core-principles of family law, and to enable a positive exchange on some of the current issues affecting parenting in light of those jurisprudential principles. 

The DIIFSD will be represented by Dr. Richard Wilkins, Executive Director and Nada Frangieh, Family Research Director. Co-conveners are Dr. Lynn Wardle from Brigham Young University (USA), Dr. Scott FitzGibbon, from the Boston College of Law (USA) and Professor Ruth Farrugia of the University of Malta. 

Dr. Frangieh will deliver the opening remarks and will outline DIIFSD’s mission, vision and current activities whilst Dr. Wilkins will present a paper concerning the ‘Global Implications of Emerging Family Structures’. 

Malta’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi will address the delegation at the conclusion of Day One. 

The DIIFSD also recently participated in the First International Parliamentary Conference in preparation of the 20th Anniversary on the International Year for the Family (2014) at the European Parliament in Brussels on June 29^th.

At the conference, attended by representatives from 32 countries, DIIFSD representatives introduced the institute to members of the European Parliament, European Economic and Social Committee and The Council of Europe. 

Speaking ahead of the Malta event, Dr. Wilkins said: “The topics scheduled for discussion are important for all societies. We are honoured to have the outstanding support of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation’s chairperson whose vision has both enabled and empowered the DIIFSD to participate in this symposium.” 

“Our institute develops an international and intercultural network of scholars supporting the family as the fundamental group unit of society, entitled to protection. Being part of such a varied, high-calibre group of speakers reflects extremely well on the work we are involved in”, he added.  

Numerous experts from many different countries and backgrounds will speak to the symposium. Their papers will be published in the International Journal of Jurisprudence of the Family (“IJJF”), a new law journal published by Wm.S. Hein & Co. 

Other sponsors include the International Academy for Study of the Jurisprudence of the Family, the Marriage & Family Law Research Project at the Brigham Young University Law School, Utah and The University of Malta.