Person, Family, and Society

The full-scale war, along with demographic, social, and economic threats and temporary forced displacement, is leading to significant transformations in the concept of family and family ties. For sustainable development, the country must adapt to new realities, address challenges, and build its future.

The Aspen Institute Kyiv, at the initiative of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Coordination Centre for the Development of Family Education and Child Care, and with the support of the EU and UNICEF in Ukraine, is launching the “Person, Family, and Society” Program. Its goal is to create a platform for discussing the concept of family, key trends, causes of transformation, challenges, and prospects for developing family relationships in Ukraine. During seminars, participants can discuss potential vectors for family policy through joint dialogue.

As part of the program, by the end of 2024, the Institute will host three three-day seminars titled “Family: Concepts, Principles, and Policies.”

We invite representatives of government bodies responsible for developing and implementing family policies, local self-government bodies, civic, charitable, and international organizations, businesses, media, and experts related to the event’s topics to participate.

Seminar dates:

• October 11-13
• December 6-8  

Location: A hotel complex in the Kyiv region.

Discussions will be based on the texts of classical and modern thinkers and researchers, serving as a foundation for dialogue. Together, participants representing various dimensions and perspectives of family and family policy will develop strategies and recommendations that consider global trends and the evolving needs of modern Ukrainian families.

The participants will actively participate in the discussion of the seminar topics: 

• Evolution of the concept of family in the world and Ukrainian society: current trends and challenges families face in Ukraine. 
• The role of the family in modern Ukrainian society: the social, economic, and cultural functions of the family in Ukraine. 
• Current challenges for family relationships include war and martial law, demographic changes, migration, economic instability, and changing gender roles and their impact on family life. Possible ways to adapt family policy to these challenges are discussed.
• Prospects for the development of family policy in Ukraine: identification of strategic directions for the development of family policy. Ways of involving and participating in civil society, the state, and the private sector in forming and implementing this policy.

The group of participants will be formed considering gender balance, regional representation, and areas of activity, following the principle of including various stakeholders.

The program’ Person, Family, and Society’ is implemented by The Aspen Institute Kyiv at the initiative of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Coordination Centre for the Development of Family Education and Child Care, with the support of the EU and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine.