Your Excellency Ambassador Al-Thani, (Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar)
Your Excellency Dr. Al Emadi, (Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, DIFI)
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour and a privilege to speak at this important side event.
At the outset, I would like to express my gratitude to Qatar and Ambassador Al-Thani for the continuous support to the work of DESA, in particular in the areas of family, disability and sport.
I also appreciate Qatar¡¯s initiative to host the International Conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF+30) in Doha later this year.
We are grateful for the support of the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), which has been actively engaged in family issues and the preparations for IYF+30.
Today¡¯s event addresses the important topic of navigating the digital landscape and fostering resilient families in a transforming world. This issue is closely related to the megatrend of technological change guiding the IYF+30 preparations. It is also relevant to the emerging issue to be discussed in this session of the Commission, addressing digital transformation and social justice.
Excellencies,
We have witnessed an unprecedented technological transformation over the past few decades. It shapes our economies at large and impacts many aspects of family life and well-being.
Digital technologies help families with work and school, and facilitate access to resources, including health, education and finance as well as social services. Digital technologies keep families close through new forms of communication, connecting all generations.
Yet not all families have the same access to digital technologies. Investments are needed to end the digital divide and increase technological skills across generations.
At the same time, we must deal with challenges brought about by new technologies, such as overuse of and addiction to digital devices, cyber-bullying and rising levels of stress and anxiety, particularly among children and young adults. Excessive use of technology has also been associated with growing obesity, sleep deprivation and other negative health concerns.
So, we face a fundamental question: How do we both address these challenges and build resilient families in a digital world?
First, there must be a recognition that families have a primary role to play in educating and socializing their children. Parents should work together with teachers to guide children in navigating the use of new technologies.
This will often mean allocating more resources to assist parents in acquiring the skills needed to parent effectively in a digital world.
Ensuring a safe digital environment through targeted policies is also critically important. We need increased investment, stronger regulations and improved collaboration to ensure that technology contributes to the well-being of both current and future generations.
Second, the shifting digital landscape has also had a fundamental impact on work-life balance. With digital technologies increasing productivity and efficiencies at work, we have witnessed the proliferation of flexible working arrangements and telecommuting. While this can make it easier for working parents to fulfil their work- and family-related obligations, the boundaries between work and family life often become distorted.
We need to ensure that employers and employees alike are clear on the need to set boundaries, even within a more fluid and flexible working environment and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to prevent negative impact on families and children.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that if we are to harness the transformative power of digital technologies to create inclusive and just societies, we need to bridge the digital divide, foster resilient families and promote the responsible use of digital technologies.
I wish you every success in your consideration of these important issues.
Thank you!