Enriching concept of families

Families are long-term development projects that need to be based on reciprocal protection and on equity in all spheres of life. Families are vulnerable, as the delicate fabric of relationships is continuously changing and subject to the impact of social, cultural and economic development. Therefore families need and offer partnerships: with other families; with neighbourhoods; with employers; with family counsellers and experts; with institutions of society such as systems of education, health care, social services; and require protection and support from policies, programmes and from family-sensitive societies.