Cyberstreet
Contributions of Civil Society Organisations to the Well-Being of Families
PROSALIS - Health Project in Lisbon
Adress:
Rua José Estêvão, 137, 2º
1150-201 LISBON / PORTUGAL
Contact person:
Maria Helena Patrício Paes
Contact e-mail:
info@prosalis.pt
Telephone:
00351217931668
Telefax:
00351217970748
Homepage:
http://www.prosalis.pt
Content:
1. Please describe, if possible, up to, and not more than, the 3 most important activities or projects of your organisation which were realised with and for families since 2004.
XXIII Workshop about “WHAT IS MISSING IN POLICIES FOR FAMILY (III)?-RETROSPECTIVE AND PERSPECTIVES” on the 7th March, 2013 in Lisbon
2. Please include the objectives and purpose of each activity or project
PROSALIS referred then the following objectives: to defend and to promote the Family as an institution recognized in its identity and accepted in its nature of social subject. It became a long path that, although complex, will also renew the hope in a future, based on the effective recognition of the importance of this institution fundamental to the life of the entire society.
The institution considered by that time urgent to effect of proper family policy, in the sense to help to promote efforts for the creation of services, structures and appropriate conditions that would enable every family, regardless of their socio economic and ethno-cultural conditions to enjoy their economic, social, cultural, health protection, employment, disability, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond their control.
In the same year, on 20 and 21 November, to continuity of the XIV Workshop, PROSALIS organized in the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation its XIII Congress with the theme \"WHAT IS MISSING IN POLICIES FOR FAMILY (II)?\", with the main goal to complete the cycle of reflection / discussion in order to go deep in the matter and the share of know-how, to evaluate new strategies of intervention in partnership and in network, in the sense to promote the wellbeing and the protection of the family, while living cell of society, heritage of humanity before the state itself, first stage of socialization of the person.
Considering the family as a nucleus base for the prevention and the education of its members, it became relevant to approach the specificity of strategies which allow to avoid the pathology, the use of additives substances and entry into delinquency circuits.
On the other hand still had the objective of contributing to the beginning of the celebrations of the International Year of the Family decreed by the UN in 1994 - 10th Anniversary 1994 - 2004.
10 years later and approaching the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family which aims to offer an opportunity to reorient the role of families in development; to make a balance of the recent tendencies in the development of family policies, to share good practices in developing family policies, to review the challenges faced by families around the world and recommend solutions, PROSALIS could not while Family Association with ECOSOC-Consultative Status to remain indifferent to the United Nations appeal. Moreover, we question how evolved the Policies for Family due to the profusion of mutations that societies have suffered, through the organization in conjunction with the XXIII ISCTE-IUL/CIS-IUL of the WORKSHOP \"WHAT IS IN FAMILY POLICIES (III)? RETROSPECTIVE AND PRESPECTIVES\"
It was addressed the following topics:
P DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN GENERATIONS
P THE FAMILY AS A FACTOR OF PROTECTION AND WORK BALANCE BETWEEN FAMILY AND WORK
P FAMILY POLICIES - HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND FINANCE
P GOOD PRACTICES IN FAMILY DOMAIN
3. Please mention who were the beneficiaries and target groups? e.g.
(i) Families (X)
(ii) family members
(iii) communities (X)
(iv) educators (X)
(v) journalists (X)
(vi) media editors: (X)
(vii) legislators: (X)
(viii) local organizations: (X)
(ix) national organizations: (X)
(x) international organizations: (X)
(xi) others (please state)
4. Duration of the Project: (1 day – 7 hours)
5. Funding strategies (optional)
6. Co-operation partners such as other CSOs, government bodies, international organisations, network partners or strategic alliance partners: ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL); Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
7. Monitoring steps during the activity or project (if any): 1. Selection of topics and preparation of action in partnership with a university; 2. selection of location for carrying out the action; 3. support requests; 3. preparing documentation for distribution among participants; 4. promoting the event; 5. press release
8. Evaluation procedures (if any): Evaluation questionnaires to participants
9. Outcome and Results of the activity or project:
Ten years after PROSALIS creates again an opportunity to discuss issues related to the family in a retrospective way. With clear data of Census (1991, 2001, 2011), OECD (\"Doing better for Families\") and Eurostat (\"Evolution Unemployment Rate\") we know that the fertility rate has declined, the unemployment rate is three times higher among young people (15-21 years), and in most age groups women are the most affected by the lack of jobs. The low economic development is detrimental on several levels and the European Union seeks solutions to this problem (\"European Platform Against Poverty\"). We highlight the importance of empowering families through education and skills development. Strategies for the family should be based on cohesion, harmonization in social and economic challenges, and resilience.
There is also concern with the current social evolution, in particular with the family and the threats that it suffers: against the production, reproduction, socialization, satisfaction, food, housing, etc. This is a responsibility of the State and Civil Society, which poses a social and economic challenge of protection and increased resources. For example, both parents have responsibility in educating children, but that implies gender equality, support/involvement of parents as well as the existence of support structures.
There have been several legislative changes that involve the family: abortion law, facilitation of divorce, equality between union and marriage, approval of civil marriage between same sex.
An aging population raises many intergenerational issues. At this time the ICF (Institute of Sciences for the Family - Catholic University) is the only specific organ in the Study of the Family. And this theme can be seen as specific or inter/multi-disciplinary, both in terms of research and in terms of theory, with master programs such as Family Mediation and Families at Risk (Policy and Family, which was never open). Their concerns are focused on solidarity between generations within the family, such as value/internal family politics. But what is the Family? What is the concept? In one study, a grandfather said it was like a river flowing, a 20 years pregnant mother said it was a psychological placenta, a teenager it was a launching pad. They are generations with different ideas of families, but what have these views in common or different? Why do people join groups? Because it suits and tastes. Because it meets the needs and expectations. These are all ideas of interdepen!
dence: the river depends on having water, the placenta exists because there is an embryo, and there is no launch without a ramp. There is one certainty in this interdependence (depending on each other), there is a story, a support; it is not static it has a proper motion. Even family solidarity is not a fixed identity, we need to operationalize it.
We need to take into account the reality: scientific advances in birth control, the ingression of women in the labor market (which messes with many issues of fertility), the professional instability, the taste for freedom and fear of stability among young people, and the \"sandwich generation\" that have to care for their children/grandchildren and parents/grandparents. With this reality we have the concerns of proximity and cohesion/communication, greater social responsibility and appeal to experience peace in the family (and in its frenetic/fever/conflicted life).
In terms of mental health, children have financial costs but also emotional, as well as the relationships between parents and children need a more emotional communication. Family is important and it is a relational model that provides the individual construction, acting for the protection, affection and social formation. Its dynamic implies communication, consistent and flexible rules, democratic leadership, integrated marital relationship and self-esteem. Brazil\'s demographics appear similar to the Portuguese: decrease of couples with children, couples without children increased; increase in women with no spouse and children, which leads to a family reordering in which the woman is gaining ground within the family and the man loses; decreased rate of separation and divorce rate increased, in which a large proportion of separations occurs at weddings with 26 or more years; women are who most have children custody, and the family reference person begins to be more the woman!
and less the man.
The European Union and the UN underline the importance of these issues (2012: Year of Intergenerational Solidarity; 2014: 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family). The report \"Best practices when making policies for the Family\", highlights some points: to integrate intergenerational aspects on policies/programs, review and encourage public/private funds; assess the impact; create awareness (with commemorating dates and parties); recognize grandparents as caregivers/care receivers; invest in parents (parenting); promote education/research, and ensure the possibility of multigenerational housing.
There is competition for available resources due to increased life expectancy and lack of renewal of generations, with high percentages of discrimination due to age, this also becoming a serious problem. The WHO defines Intergenerational Solidarity as world order for active aging. Right now there are some products/services accordingly (eg., Intergenerational University at ISCTE-IUL) and a major magazine on the theme \"Journal of Intergenerational Relationships\" (which puts science available to all and it is important while designing programs and voting laws). Also in terms of science the production of articles on intergenerational learning give us indicators as: the learning resource for active people, the support of the younger generation at work; transmission of knowledge and resources in the education system; transmission of culture; development communities based on civic values, involvement, volunteerism and participation.
Combining school-family: to bring families to school depends strongly on the role that school attaches to family, the responsibility of the family about the child and the responsibility of the child in the family, taking into account the very instructive climate (vs. little educative) lived in Portuguese schools. Initiatives (such as building genealogic tree, exchanging recipes and craft skills) rely heavily on the pedagogical council coordinator.
Also, the work-family conciliation and the balance personal life, family and work are important aspects of the theme. We need to take into account the meanings and their impact on quality of life, in the workplace and productivity of individuals. There is a growing concern (apparent) of the companies to be familiarly responsible (linked to CSR, ie respect for the individual route promoting individual facilitators/drivers, taking into account the policies/practices and culture). The main challenges felt at European level come from the need to integrate diversity and the existence of talent retention policies of seniors. As facilitating factors and solutions, evolving a methodology for reconciliation of conditions for flexibility, professional and personal development, health and wellness services and benefits.
The observation of family roles also influences this work-family conciliation because there is a challenge to traditional roles (Man-Work vs. Woman-Family) causing conflict in facilitating and in family balance. Stress and welfare in one sphere (work or family) affects the other; attachment and perception or existence of social support are considered important. Marital status (especially marriage) generates gains net to combat the adversities experienced by families.
As interferences, women report lack of physical health in work-family conciliation while men the existence of depression. To reduce these effects social support, practical (instrumental and informational), emotional, at home and at work, and life satisfaction are factors to take into account (specifically the support provided by the supervisor and colleagues as factors external to the individual).
At the level of the organizations there is a lack of policies as more quality childcare services (children and elderly), flexible hours (as part-time regime, tele-working and flexible working hours) and the balanced distribution of care leave.
In health there are bad practices in the imposition by the hospitals of tubal ligation for women with several children and in the acting of Social Welfare. As good practice the change of capitation for calculation of exemption from user fees. In education bad practices are the cost of textbooks and educational materials, as well as not supported nurseries or lack of public places; good practice would be giving parents freedom in choosing the nursery, changing the culture of reuse books (extended term duration, encourage unwritten manuals, create databases of books) and create savings culture. In social benefits unsustainability is a bad practice with the cuts in child benefit, in the social passes, missing of school pass and not consider the number of family members in the calculation of financial capacity; good practice would be the universal family allowance (as in most European countries) and to consider the income. In finance calculations made on average children; the correct would be each child worth one. \"
The family is the basic cell of the individual, but we focus on work and employment. Other issues revolve around this: we want equal opportunities, but discrimination grows; we want a society for all, but we do not create wealth, we create rich people. Words such as coherence, solidarity, security and savings are being re-used. The principles are essential and strategy or concrete action are secondary; we simplify and therefore lose coherence; we seek difficult solutions to problems we have created. It is argued in Portugal a family base law. We need to know who are the agents of this law and how they connect. One possible proposal is to build application batteries every 3 years as an Index of the Wellbeing of Families.
In Portugal many things are missing, being necessary to take into account new paradigms such as dual career couples. Education is important because it shares values, as well as combating functional illiteracy and school dropout.
Among the senior population there is the feeling of loneliness, lack of values and roots, and it is not favored. The failures of the legal factor (with essential role in the implementation of family policies) and financial (prohibition of use of school canteens for needy families) have large impacts. Incentives to fertility and behavioral training are essential measures.
Projects under the Social Entrepreneurship work towards good practice, and reach the family universally, as the case Reutilizar.org Movement (recovery and reuse of textbooks), the Movement for the Defense of Life (support children at risk and restructuring for flagged families - concept of homebuilders), the Portuguese Federation for Life (intervention at the level of resources management training, with responsibility to civilization). Often they are based on simple concepts like Believe and Empower.
We need to take it easy for the changes, but there are already bets for the future.
10. Written reports: http://www.prosalis.pt/congresso/XXIIIWorkshop/Relatorio_-_XXIII_Workshop_Prosalis-ISCTE-IUL.pdf
11. Published reports: http://www.prosalis.pt/congresso/XXIIIWorkshop/Relatorio_-_XXIII_Workshop_Prosalis-ISCTE-IUL.pdf
Content:
1. Please describe, if possible, up to, and not more than, the 3 most important activities or projects of your organisation which were realised with and for families since 2004.
XXII Workshop with the title “Sensitization about the promotion of intergenerational policies” on the 21 June 2012.
2. Please include the objectives and purpose of each activity or project
With the goal to give its contribute to the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations PROSALIS has organized the XXII Workshop aiming to promote social dialogue and good practices in the domain of intergenerational relationships promoting the creation of a sustainable basis for new policies. It became necessary to evaluate the results of existing laws in the sense to understand which were the needed changes to promote in order to obtain a real culture improving the well-being and life quality through the promotion of proper intergenerational policies while participants in the process of rebuilding a more human and solidarity society.
3. Please mention who were the beneficiaries and target groups? e.g.
(i) Families (X)
(ii) family members
(iii) communities (X)
(iv) educators (X)
(v) journalists (X)
(vi) media editors: (X)
(vii) legislators: (X)
(viii) local organizations: (X)
(ix) national organizations: (X)
(x) international organizations: (X)
(xi) others (please state)
4. Duration of the Project: (1 day – 7 hours)
5. Funding strategies (optional)
6. Co-operation partners such as other CSOs, government bodies, international organisations, network partners or strategic alliance partners: ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL); The Luso-American Foundation
7. Monitoring steps during the activity or project (if any): 1. Selection of topics and preparation of action in partnership with a university; 2. selection of location for carrying out the action; 3. support requests; 3. preparing documentation for distribution among participants; 4. promoting the event; 5. press release
8. Evaluation procedures (if any): Evaluation questionnaires to participants
9. Outcome and Results of the activity or project:
The various social transformations which have occurred in aging population, low birth rate and migration, lead to the need to look at the present social reality in order to find new practices which, on the one hand, are based on the aspects of active aging and intergenerational solidarity and to the need to pay attention to the importance of the family.
Associated with aging there is a stigma that leads to isolation and violence, which must be overcome. Aging must be seen as a multidimensional process, with positive and negative aspects.
Aging must be seen as a prize and not as a problem, and also to allow the possibility of continued learning and to share experiences between generations.
So the challenge this year will be, to put into action the intergenerational practices. We need to replace the attitude to \"separate\" (families, generations, citizens) by the attitude of \"integrating\". The persons must unite them and society must be emotionally intelligent, a synergy.
Intergenerational solidarity is important in order to establish intergenerational policies which may enable the persons to exercise their rights. However, aging is not a problem, but yes the low birth which leads to social and economic luck of sustainability.
For the last 50 years there was gradually a decrease in the number of births. Since 2007 the natural balance is negative.
People want more children, but several factors hamper to achieve this goal like the work balance family and work, to the problem of the financial possibilities, recognizing that families are spending more, and the problem of social pressure that penalizes families with children.
In relation to stigmatization, isolation and violence against the elderly it was remembered that the elderly, especially between 75 and 84 years old, are victims of various kinds of abuse, and the most common is psychological abuse (32%), the extortion (16.5%) and physical aggression (12.8%). The attackers are mostly spouses and family. Some of the consequences are: shame, confusion, emotional fragility, the septicism about the law, the loss of confidence in the future, low self-esteem, self-devaluation, isolation and luck of confidence of the others. Combat the stigma, the isolation and violence against the elderly, is a matter of social attitude and human rights.
To become old is a gift, the problem is in how we experience the process of aging. The largest age dependency, and reduced accessibility architectural barriers, low educational level and social participation, the weak economic resources, and harmful media (television) contribute to the isolation of the elderly. It is necessary to sensitize society constantly and also all professionals.
The palliative measures, health care and social support of the elderly, should be viewed from a multidimensional approach of the individual dimension.
10. Written reports:
http://www.prosalis.pt/congresso/XXIIWorkshop/relatorio_workshopProsalis2012.pdf
11. Published reports:
http://www.prosalis.pt/congresso/XXIIWorkshop/relatorio_workshopProsalis2012.pdf