In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Doha International Conference for the Family was convened, on November 29-30, 2004, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness the Emir of Qatar and President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

The Doha Declaration reaffirming many of the international commitments including those set in Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to the natural family*, was adopted by consensus.

In order to achieve and implement the commitments set out in the Doha Declaration, as well as the objectives set out in the International Year of the Family, Her Highness established in September 2005 The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD), and selected The Board of Governors**.

The Institute reflects the commitment of Her Highness to establish a global study center that will provide the region-and the world- with academic research, interdisciplinary studies, and policy initiatives to support the efforts of governments, international organizations, UN agencies and civil society to develop and implement family development plans, policies and programmes.

This organizational structure refines and sharpens the focus of DIIFSD work's plan:

• The Implementation and Social Outreach Division, will support regional and international programmes to strengthen the family, develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with like-minded NGOs, and develop and disseminate training and informational materials. The Division will have the primary responsibility for organizing Doha Colloquia dealing with the family's crucial role in social and economic development.
• The Family Policy Division, will raise awareness about family issues, mainstream a comprehensive family perspective at international level and enhance cooperation and coordination with local, regional and international partners. The Division will Work with UN agencies Funds and Programmes to address family issues in order to achieve the objectives of The International year of the Family and to implement commitment within the framework of UN major Conferences.
• The Research Division will develop and maintain regional and international networks of family scholars, support on-going research projects consistent with the International Year of the Family, and assist the other operating Divisions in performing their functions. The Division will have the primary responsibility for convening and coordinating research-related Doha Colloquia and publishing the work products of these events in periodic volumes of The Family in the New Millennium.

* Noted by Resolution A/RES/59/111 on 06-Dec-04.
** The Board of Governors comprises personalities from different regions of the world, taking into account equitable geographical distribution.