ELFAC introduced the large families' perspective in the conference on “Parental Leave Policies and Social Sustainability”

The final conference of COST Action CA21150 “Parental Leave Policies and Social Sustainability”, in the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague on 26 May, marked the conclusion of four years of collaborative research on the role of paid parental leave in building more equal and socially sustainable societies, and brought together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe and beyond.

_{Raul Sanchez with Jiří Ludvík (right), from the Czech large families association, and Otakar Kampl (left), from the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs}

The conference showcased the main scientific and policy-relevant outputs of the Action, foster dialogue between research and practice, and provided a platform for high-level exchange on how leave policies can better support gender equality, work-family reconciliation, child well-being, and long-term social sustainability. By connecting comparative evidence with policy implementation experiences at national and European levels, the conference aimed to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking and stimulate future international research and cooperation in the field of family policy.

Our secretary general, Raul Sanchez, was invited to take part in the stakeholder panel: “Parental leave policies in practice – effectiveness and sustainability”. The objective of the panel was to deepen dialogue between research and policy communities on the implementation of parental leave policies, their effectiveness, and long-term sustainability in the context of changing social and demographic conditions.

A broader family ecosystem

Raul Sanchez highlighted that for larger families, three elements are especially important: long-term job security, adequate income replacement, and flexibility. “For large families, this flexibility is essential because family life becomes more complex with each additional child. Families with four children do not face the same work-life balance challenges as families with one child.”

After talked about five ideas to take into account, Sanchez emphasized that “Parental leave should not be seen as an isolated measure, but as part of a broader family ecosystem.”