STATEMENT: Nearly 400 people participate in the II Family Support Conference at UIC Barcelona

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Two years after the 1st Family Support Workshop, which had more than 800 participants from 50 countries, the Institute of Higher Family Studies has organized this day, within the framework of International Family Day - which is celebrated every 15 May - and the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of its foundation.

In this second edition, titled 'Accompanying imperfect families', expert speakers in family support have participated, such as the Italian neuropsychiatrist Mariolina Ceriotti, Juan José Pérez Soba and Gabriella Gambino.

Barcelona, ​​May 4, 2024.- The Institute of Higher Family Studies (IESF) of the International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona), with the support of the Joaquim Molins Figueras Foundation, has organized on May 3 and 4 II Family Support Conference with the aim of helping in the training of people who dedicate themselves or wish to dedicate themselves to the task of family accompaniment. For two days, nearly 400 participants from all over Spain gathered at UIC Barcelona to offer a space for the exchange of ideas and good practices in the field of family support.

The conference, which was held within the framework of the International Day of the Family, also coincided with two anniversaries: the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family declared in 1994 by the United Nations, and the 20th anniversary of the Institute of Higher Family Studies, which began its journey in 2004. In the words of the director of the Institute of Higher Family Studies, Montserrat Gas, the purpose of this congress is "to continue promoting a change in the attitude of those who work in the field of family support, with an optimistic attitude", always highlighting "the importance of the family which, although with difficulties, is the core of society, and that is why efforts must be focused on them".

The program included theoretical-training presentations from experts from the world of medicine, psychology, the pastoral field and communication, among others. Mariolina Ceriotti, Milanese neuropsychiatrist; Juan José Pérez Soba, theologian, priest, professor at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for the Family and Gabriella Gambino, undersecretary of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, have been the main speakers of these days.

The neuropsychiatrist Mariolina Ceriotti in her presentation today, titled 'The challenge of love forever', has highlighted the importance of a love for life if you want a rich and deep life: "In love forever the person does not exist. "suitable" only the person you "choose". You can learn to choose it again, one day after another because "forever" is in the present The worst of days ends and tomorrow will always be a new day that depends on. we".

Ceriotti also participated in the congress yesterday, Friday, May 3, with a presentation on personal identity and emotional maturity. The expert reviewed the vital stages and stated that "there is no contradiction between the idea of ​​a strong self and the idea of ​​being capable of becoming humble people, going against the current and welcoming anyone."

For his part, Gambino explained the Family Global Compact project, a global initiative to promote the family. In her intervention she shared the topics that draw the most attention from this project, which brings together universities from all over the world working to support the family. For his part, Pérez Soba, in his presentation, spoke of the need for early accompaniment in the society in which we live: "This is the solution for the fundamental wound of today's world, which is loneliness, something that also affects to families, so support is good news for everyone.

In addition, the congress has brought together different sector experts and influencers in a round table, all of them alumni of the Postgraduate in Family Support and Guidance, who have shared with the attendees their personal and professional experience after years of working with families, as well as their innovative projects and initiatives to carry out the support work.

The rector of UIC Barcelona, ​​Alfonso Méndiz, opened the conference yesterday, Friday, remembering the 1st edition of the 2022 workshop, which "marked a before and after in the field of family support", with more than 800 participants from 50 countries around the world. .

Likewise, she made reference to the words of the philosopher Rafael Alvira, who defined the family as "the place to which one returns", making a simile between her and UIC Barcelona: "a great family reunion." The director of the IESF, Montse Gas, closed the congress by thanking all attendees for their active participation and remembering the meaning of these days of reflection as a driving force to continue working on family support and to make visible the vital importance they have within society. current.

About IESF.

The Institute of Higher Family Studies (IESF) was founded in 2004 within the International University of Catalonia, with the impetus and support of the Joaquim Molins Figueras Foundation. It is the first institute in Spain, of university rank, whose main objective of its activity is family policies. Research, teaching, dissemination, networking and advice with public and private entities are the tasks that summarize the ordinary work of the IESF. Among its studies, it offers a Postgraduate Degree in Marriage and Family Education that aims to offer a solid anthropological base on which it is possible to build a culture of life in politics, education and the family.

About UIC Barcelona.

The International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona) was founded in 1997 with the aim of offering quality university education and promoting research as a service to society. Linked to the business world and with a marked international character, it teaches sixteen degrees, 12 double degrees, 38 international double degrees and more than 70 postgraduate programs on its two campuses, located in Barcelona and Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Elena Castellarnau Head of Press UIC Barcelona T. 34 932 541 800 / elenac@uic.es.

www.uic.es.

@UICbarcelona .