Geneva (Switzerland), 28th-29th May 2025 | The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recently hosted an expert workshop on the role of the family and family-oriented policies in the promotion and protection of human rights and the achievement of sustainable development. The event brought together representatives from Member States, UN bodies, and civil society organizations, providing a valuable platform for the exchange of perspectives.

The first day of the workshop was particularly relevant to OIDEL’s mission, and we actively contributed through two statements. During the first session, which focused on ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights by family members, we underscored the importance of a community-based human rights framework and advocated for the recognition of the family as a key actor in promoting human dignity and fundamental rights.

The second session was equally significant for OIDEL, addressing the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all and early childhood development. In our statement, we emphasized children’s cultural rights within education and highlighted the central role of families as primary transmitters of cultural and moral values that are essential to a child’s identity, particularly during early development.

Overall, the two-day workshop offered enriching exchanges, allowing OIDEL to share the value of the family unit and its vital contribution to children’s education and cultural rights. This workshop took place two weeks ahead of the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, in which OIDEL will also be participating.