A little bit about the Doha International Institute...

The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development is an interdisciplinary, multi-cultural and global study center designed to strengthen the family as the “natural and fundamental group unit of society.” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16(3).)

The Mission of the Institute is to encourage, support and promote implementation of the Doha Declaration and to reaffirm and strengthen international commitments to the family as stated in the Doha Declaration. The mission of the Institute will be pursued consistently with the objectives of the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, which include:

1. Strengthening the capacity of national institutions to formulate, implement and monitor policies in respect of the family;

2. Stimulating efforts to respond to problems affecting, and affected by, the situation of the family;

3. Undertaking analytical reviews at all levels and assessments of the situation and needs of the family;

4. Strengthening the effectiveness of efforts at all levels to execute specific programs concerning the family; and

5. Improving collaboration among national and international nongovernmental organizations in support of the family.

The Institute will encourage the development and implementation of practical programs to help families throughout the world by:

1. Engaging in cooperative research and policy analysis efforts with appropriate Universities, study centers and government entities in other countries;

2. Encouraging and supporting strategically important projects which (a) promote high-quality family scholarship and (a) the development of practical programs consistent with The Doha Declaration;

3. Developing a cooperative network of non-governmental and non-governmental partners to implement policy proposals of the Institute;

4. Developing media programs and initiatives consistent with the Calls for Action in the Doha Declaration; and

5. Attending carefully selected international negotiations to present high-quality evidence and materials supporting national and international policies consistent with the Doha Declaration.