As part of the Horizon 2020 project GGP-EPI, the Generations and Gender Programme (GGP), Population Europe, and the London School of Economics and Political Science organized two policy dialogue events at the German Embassy in London on 4 November 2019.
The first was an expert meeting that brought together 22 stakeholders from academia, government, and civil society. Participants included representatives from the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, the UK Government Equalities Office, the United Nations Population Fund, the Economic and Social Research Council, and leading research institutes across Europe. Discussions addressed major policy questions: What should be the goals of family policy? Can family policies ever be neutral? How can data and evidence inform more equitable policies for families across Europe?
The evening public panel debate, moderated by Daniela Vono de Vilhena (Population Europe), featured Katarina Barley (Vice-President of the European Parliament), Michaela Kreyenfeld (Hertie School of Governance), and Wendy Sigle (LSE). Panellists highlighted the importance of involving men in family life, recognising unpaid work, and designing policies that reflect diverse family experiences rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
By convening policymakers, researchers, and civil society, the seminar fostered dialogue on the foundations of family policy in Europe, emphasizing the role of research-based evidence from GGP in shaping debates on gender equality, parental leave, childcare, and work–family reconciliation.
More information: https://www.population-europe.eu/events/event-reviews-recordings/freedom-choice-foundation-family-policies-europe
