Doha, Qatar: A two-day forum on alternative care and the sustainable wellbeing of children without parental care has opened in Doha, bringing together child protection experts and officials from Qatar and abroad.
The forum, organised by Qatar’s Dreama Orphan Care Center in cooperation with Unicef, is being held at the Qatar National Convention Center under the patronage of Minister of Social Development and Family H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi.
The event focuses on strengthening child protection and care systems, with particular attention to children living without family support. Participants are discussing international standards, evidence-based approaches and regional experiences in alternative care.
Organisers said the best interests of the child should remain central to policies and practices, with family environments given priority wherever they can provide a safe and supportive setting for children.
Efforts to keep children with their biological families, or reunite them with their families when appropriate safeguards are in place, are also being discussed. Dreama Executive Director Najla bint Ahmed Al-Thani said the center was committed to developing alternative-care systems and strengthening partnerships with national, regional and international organizations. She said the center believed that a safe and stable family environment was fundamental to children’s sense of security and belonging, as well as to protecting their rights and supporting their development.
Meanwhile, Lana Wreikat, Unicef Gulf Area Office representative, said Qatar had demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening the role of families, supporting vulnerable groups and promoting social cohesion. She said Univef was committed to working with the Qatari government, Dreama and other partners to expand access to quality family-based care and help children without parental care reach their full potential.
