Strengthening Families as Foundations of Peace and Resilient Societies
On 29 April 2026, the NGO Committee on the Family — Geneva was formally established as a subsidiary of the NGO Committee on the Family — New York, creating a new platform for civil society engagement on family policy at the United Nations in Geneva. Membership is open to NGOs in consultative status with the UN.
To inaugurate its activities, the founding members — including UPF — convened a combined observance of the International Day of Families and Global Day of Parents on 1 June 2026 at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). The 90‑minute conference, titled “Families and Parenting Support as Foundations of Peaceful and Resilient Societies,” was co‑sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Egypt, Cameroon, Jordan and El Salvador and the NGO Committee on the Family.
The Ambassadors from Egypt, Jordan and Cameroon set the diplomatic tone by underscoring the central role of parents and families in social cohesion and peacebuilding. Civil society speakers brought practical perspectives on parenting support programs, while the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls highlighted how family‑centered policies intersect with the prevention of violence and protection of rights.
Held in Hall 9 at UNOG, the event drew roughly 60 attendees, including about 26 government delegates — a turnout that underlines the sustained international interest in family‑centered approaches to resilience, development and human security. The Committee’s launch signals a renewed commitment to elevating family issues in multilateral policy discussions and fostering partnerships between States, the UN system and civil society.