Geneva (Switzerland), 8th September – 8th October 2025 | During the last Human Rights Council (HRC) session of the year, OIDEL actively engaged in consultations on draft resolutions, participated in several side events, and organized one of its own.

The role of the family in human rights protection and promotion was a prominent theme throughout the session, featuring both in the General Debate Item 3 and in multiple side events. The General Debate serves as a key platform of the Human Rights Council, where States and civil society openly discuss global human rights challenges, share their perspectives, and call for collective action. Several countries – presenting themselves as the Group of Friends of the Family – called for more family-oriented approaches to achieve the 2030 Agenda. They referred to the expert workshop held on 28-29 May 2025 which examined how family-oriented approaches, policies, and programs can promote and protect human rights and contribute to sustainable development. The Group reaffirmed that the family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and is entitled to protection by the State. They emphasized that family-centered policies can help eradicate poverty, improve education, and empower women and girls. In the same spirit, several side events focused on the family’s role in promoting and protecting human rights. OIDEL itself organized a successful event the role of family in education.

OIDEL followed a number of informal negotiations concerning resolutions that may have a direct impact on parental rights. These discussions often touched upon sensitive social and educational issues, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the role of parents in matters related to the upbringing and education of their children.