More than 1,100 parents, educators and youth delegates from 35 countries across five continents will converge on Cebu in central Philippines to discuss how to enhance family life in an age of widespread social media use and even addiction.
The 21st World Congress on Family Enrichment will be held at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on February 24-25. Organized by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), the theme of this year’s Congress is: "Family Life and New Technologies".
Alongside the 21st World Congress on Family Enrichment are 4 other IFFD gatherings: the 2nd World Congress of Personal Project (for young professionals); the World Meeting of Family Enrichment Leaders; the World Meeting of Personal Project Leaders; and the Training of Moderators.
Congress discussion topics include: New technologies and Artificial Intelligence, Family and Self Fulfillment, Family Policies, Marriage, Sexuality, Virtuous Leadership, and Mental Health.
The line up of speakers is as follows:
MANUEL CLAVEL (Spain/Vietnam)
Associate Professor of Software Engineering
RINA RUDYANTO (Indonesia/Vietnam)
Head of AI Lab of MTI Technologies
ALEXANDRE HAVARD (France)
Founder of Virtuous Leadership System
JOSE ENRIQUE GARCIA III (Philippines)
Governor of the Province of Bataan
CORNELIO BANAAG, JR. (Philippines)
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
KATHRYN-DAPHNE ONG (Philippines)
Adult Psychiatrist and Bioethicist
LETICIA RODRIGUEZ (Spain)
Director of IFFD Family Enrichment
CAROLINA SANCHEZ AGOSTINI (Argentina)
Research Psychologist, Director ESI Austral University
THOMAS MUNDIA (Kenya)
ICF Certified Leadership Coach and Family Mediator
The objective of the 2024 IFFD Congress in Cebu, Philippines is, “much like its predecessors, to illuminate the most urgent and pertinent matters concerning families," according to the official event web site. "By convening a distinctive assembly of globally renowned experts, our aim is to assist not only our own families but also countless others in navigating the intricate yet captivating realm of emerging technologies."
“We couldn’t be more excited to gather such a distinguished group of speakers to talk about the important topic of New Technologies,” IFFD Secretary General Javier Vidal-Quadras said.
Renata Kaczmarska, UN Social Affairs Officer (Focal Point on the Family) arrived on Monday, February 19, to participate in the Congress. Her work at the UN Secretariat in New York focuses on family policy development in the areas of family poverty reduction, work-family balance, social protection and intergenerational issues.
IFFD, a non-government, non-profit international organization, has consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is present in 68 countries and provides training to assist parents carry out their educational mission and help young people in their personal development.
Educhild Foundation, Inc. is the local organizer of the World Congress in Cebu City. Formed in 1976, Educhild (Education for the Upbringing of Children) is the family enrichment group in the Philippines, present in the major cities of the country. Educhild is a founding member of the IFFD.