The third Roppongi Dialogue will focus on the definition of Family. The social sciences define many concepts that are basic to the understanding of the family. The key concept in the social sciences, and especially in demography and sociology, is that of the family. The family is globally perceived as a major social institution that created the person’s social activity. It is a social unit created by blood, marriage, or adoption (parents and children) or extended (encompassing other relatives).
With today’s challenges, the modern family has undergone significant trans formations in its structure. The societal changes affected the percentage of classical “typical” families, which were replaced by different “new forms of families”. Regardless all these changes, the concept of the family remained as a functional social institution.
There is no definition of the family under international human rights law. According to theHuman Rights Committee, “the concept of family may differ in some respects from State toState, and even from region to region within a State, and that is therefore “not possible to give the concept a standard definition.” Similarly, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has stated that the concept must be understood “in a wide sense” and“in accordance with appropriate local usage.” Other international human rights mechanisms have expressed similar views.
The aim of this third Roppongi Dialogue is to elaborate with experts from different ethical, social and leadership institutions, the definition of the family, its formation and its role in raising agents of positive change in the future.
Dr. Darina Saliba Abi Chedid, Moderator
Moderator
Dr. Darina Saliba Abi Chedid
Director / International Center for Human Sciences (CISH), UNESCO in Byblos
CISH-UNESCO Director since 2018, university professor, researcher and member of the Scientific Panel of the UNESCO Silk Road Youth ResearchGrant.
Instagram: @cishbyblos
Panel
Father Tony El Khoury Ph.D.
Priest
Moralist theologian, iconographer, journalist, university lecturer, human rights activist, and writer. Founder and CEO of My right to live” NGO. Founder of the wedding preparation center in Byblos. General coordinator of the wedding preparation centers in the catholic church in Lebanon. Author of several books, in Arabic, French and English.
Yuko Kawanishi Ph.D.
Sociologist
Sociologist of cross-cultural mental health issues, Japanese contemporary society, family, gender, and the US-Japan relationship. Has taught at both Japanese and American universities. Author of three books and many academic articles. University counselor and a psychotherapist.
Mr. Kosuke Oie
Partner at Hiroo Park Law Firm (Tokyo)
As an attorney-at-law, he has been serving the international community in Japan for over 10 years, representing clients in family and immigration cases as well as commercial and criminal cases. He is also active in advocating human rights of migrants including women, workers and children as a pro bono activity.
Mr. Amandeep Singh Sandhu
Lawyer & property developer
Amandeep is passionate about sharing Sikh philosophy, having lectured at the Ministry of Defense, Scotland Yard and the Home Office, as well as leading universities. Amandeep continues to research and considers himself first and foremost a student.