Family Futures

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dvancing

ocial

ntegration

and

ntergenerational

olidarity

capacity of those in old age) can lead to self-reliance, positive

behaviours and attitudes immune to social deterioration has

been highlighted and set as a priority in social development

policy and strategic initiative programmes.

Thailand’s initiative approaches to mobilize social policy on

family strengthening have been established through national

mechanism. The Ministry of Social Development and Human

Security, as the national focal point in family strengthen-

ing, has designed significant mechanisms at national and

local level. The National Committee on Family Development

Policy and Strategy, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister,

has functioned as a policy-oriented body responsible for the

formulation of strategic measures for the betterment of family

status. This is characterized by the five standards of family

strengthening:

• good relationships among family members

• proper family roles in all stages of life

• family self-reliance in the economic sphere

• access to social capital

• ability to avoid risks and cope with difficulties.

To achieve its goals, proactive approaches to family protection

and empowerment, such as the 10-menu for family practices,

have been undertaken through initiative activities.

It has been recognized that fruitful outcomes of the above

activities need to be mobilized through cooperation of the

public and private sectors as well as other networks, espe-

cially local communities. In other words, the above strategic

measures can be taken into successful actions only if active

agency networks take part in joint ventures, especially at local

community level.

The Community-based Center for Family Development

(CCFD) is an organization of local public sector bodies

that works to promote the strengthening of families in local

communities. There are two types of CCFD: those under the

supervision of local government administrative organizations,

and those in the public sector that work in coordination with

local government administrative organizations.

The final goal of the CCFD working process is ‘Warm,

strong and sustainable families’. The work process for this

goal is divided into two stages: preparation for selection and

setting up of the CCFD working group, and the implementa-

tion period of the CCFD.

In order to increase the efficiency of the CCFD, several

areas of focus and notification are necessary. Executives of

the local government administrative organization or those

participating in selecting the CCFD working group should

have capacities to scrutinize and make decisions at a certain

level. Selected areas with information on families are neces-

sary to ensure an effective work process. Further, the scope of

work and expectations need to be clearly set, and there must

be capable staff with knowledge and experience in planning

and project management.

There are three levels of change:

• individual level: activeness, awareness, accountability

• working group level: learning and ability to analyse work

approach, monitoring and evaluation of target groups

• network level: operational section, coordination and support

section that feel content with the cooperation process.

The main objective is that the local government administrative

organizations are aware of the value of working with target

groups and demonstrate willingness to continue their support

as their capacities allow. The target groups are protected and

their problems are attended to and solved, both at the level of

the individuals and through the group support process.

Good relationships among family members are crucial to

strengthening the family

Warm, strong and sustainable families are the final goal of the

CCFD working process

Image: CCFD