Wednesday, April 30, 2014 — Last week, more than 80 influential global policy makers from nonprofits, the private sector, and academia came together to discuss how to empower families around the world in service of broader development goals. The conference themed “Empowering Families: A Pathway to Development” took place on April 16th and 17th in Doha, Qatar. 

Co-hosted by the Qatar Foundation (chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser), and the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), the conference took place on the 20th anniversary of the United Nations International Year of the Family.

REFUNITE Co-Founder, David Mikkelsen accepted an invitation to participate on a panel entitled “Families in Special Circumstances.” Mr. Mikkelsen spoke about family as a basic human right, and the experiences that drove him and his brother to start REFUNITE in 2007.

“We believe that everyone has a right to know where their family is. For vulnerable families who have fled their homes, this need and right is even more imperative. In a larger development context, a family that is together is better able to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities,” says Mikkelsen.

Conversations of this nature will continue around the world over the next year in an effort to influence international policy focused on strengthening and supporting families.

For more information about REFUNITE please visit www.refunite.org.