Family policies are defined as those policies that increase resources of households with dependent children; foster child

development; reduce barriers to having children and combining work and family commitments; and, promote gender equity in employment opportunities.

What's new
The OECD Family database is LIVE
19-Oct-2011

The Family database (www.oecd.org/social/family/database) now includes 60 indicators with cross-national information on family outcomes and policies as categorized under 4 broad headings: the structure of families, families and children, the labour market position of families, public policies for families and children, and child outcomes. If you would like to be informed when the database is updated regularly, please click here.

Society : Safeguard social support for poorest families, says OECDs Gurra
27-Apr-2011

Poverty in households with children is rising in nearly all OECD countries. Governments should ensure that family support policies protect the most vulnerable, according to the OECDs first-ever report on family well-being.

Gender Equality in Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship

07-Jun-2011

The Interim Report on the Gender Initiative: Gender Equality in Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship was presented at the 50th Anniversary Meeting of the OECD Council at the Ministerial Level in May 2011.

OECD Social Ministerial Meeting and Policy Forum - Building a Fairer Future: the Role for Social Policy
from 02-May-2011 to 03-May-2011

Ministers discussed the following issues: Social policies for the recovery, Doing Better for Families and Future of intergenerational solidarity. Prior to the social ministerial meeting, a Policy Forum on Tackling Inequality was held on the morning of 2 May 2011 to discuss the trend of high and increasing income inequality in many OECD countries and emerging economies and the way forward to a better sharing of the benefits of globalisation.

Paternity Leave in Japan: a Revolution in an Ageing Country

30-Jul-2010

France 24 TV program me including an interview with Willem Adema, Senior Economist, OECD Social Policy Division.

Overview of Gender Differences in OECD Countries

This gender brief gives a detailed overview of gender differences in OECD countries on main employment and social issues: women in OECD countries earn 18% less than men,
04-Mar-2010

only about one-third of managerial posts are held by a woman, many more women work in part-time jobs than men...

Children of Immigrants in the Labour Markets of EU and OECD countries

28-Oct-2009

For the first time, the OECD has collected comprehensive data on the education levels and labour market outcomes of the native-born offspring of immigrants (the so-called second generation), compared with the offspring of natives in 16 OECD countries. The data are presented and analysed in a study that was prepared for a joint seminar of the European Commission and the OECD (1 and 2 October 2009, Brussels) and has been published today on the OECDs website.

Spend early on children, says OECD

01-Sep-2009

Governments should invest more money on children in the first six years of their lives to reduce social inequality and help all children, especially the most vulnerable, have happier lives, according to the OECD.

OECD current research on Child Well-being

25-Jun-2009

A Child Well-being Expert Consultation took place at OECD in Paris at the end of May 2009. The purpose of the child well-being consultation was to develop a shared understanding of a set of data that countries should monitor in order to inform policies for childrens wellbeing - see www.oecd.org/els/social/childwellbeing. Also on Tuesday 1st September 2009, the OECD will release a new publication on child well-being indicators. If you would like to be informed when the publication is released and/or when the child wellbeing consultation webpage is updated and extended, please click here.

Government Policy

The Government will actively seek to fortify the national security and bestow personal security on its citizens while vigorously and determinedly fighting against violence and terror.

The Government will advance the political process and act to promote peace with all our neighbors, while preserving the security, historic and national interests of Israel.

The Government will advance a program to deal with the economic crisis and act to create economic conditions that will allow for sustainable growth, as well as create and maintain jobs in the economy.

The Government will strive for social justice by reducing social gaps and uncompromisingly fight against poverty through education, employment and an increase in assistance to the weaker segments of the population.

The Government will place the issue of immigration and immigrant absorption at the top of its list of priorities and will work vigorously to increase immigration from all countries of the world.

The Government will place education at the center of its list of national priorities and will act to advance reforms in the education system.

The Government will preserve the Jewish character of the State and the legacy of Israel, as well as honor the religions and traditions of members of other religions in the country in accordance with the values of the Declaration of Independence.

The Government will act to advance governmental reforms to improve stability and governability.

The Government will act to fortify the rule of law in Israel.

The Government will act to protect the environment in Israel, improve the quality of life for the residents of the country and increase Israels participation in contributing to the global effort with regard to the climate and the environment.

Government actions
Shaping public policy is a complex and multifaceted process that involves the interplay of numerous individuals and interest groups competing and collaborating to influence policymakers to act in a particular way. These individuals and groups use a variety of tactics and tools to

advance their aims, including advocating their positions publicly, attempting to educate supporters and opponents, and mobilizing allies on a particular issue.[4] In this context, advocacy can be defined as attempting to influence public policy through education, lobbying, or political pressure. Advocacy groups "often attempt to educate the general public as well as public policy makers about the nature of problems, what legislation is needed to address problems, and the funding required to provide services or conduct research. Although advocacy is viewed as unseemly by some in the professional and research community, it is clear that public policy priorities are influenced by advocacy. Sound research data can be used to educate the public as well as policy makers, thereby improving the public policy process."[4]

[edit] As an academic discipline

Northern Irelands devolved government means that more decisions are taken by our own elected politicians. This page explains how government policy works, so you can get involved and use it to your advantage.

What is policy?
The term government policy can be used to describe any course of action which intends to change a certain situation. Think of policies as a starting point for government to take a course of action that makes a real life change. Government uses policy to tackle a wide range of issues. In fact, it can make policies that could change how much tax you pay, parking fines, immigration laws and pensions. Law can also be changed by government, so when they create a policy it can be made to affect specific groups of people or everyone in our society. Government departments (such as education or finance), agencies (like Land and Property Services or the Housing Executive) and councils all make policies that affect our lives. These policies can be influenced in many ways:

Northern Ireland can also be affected by policies which come from the United Kingdom government and the European Union. Take for example the way UK policy has changed antiterrorism laws across the whole country or how the European Union sets targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

How to influence policy

Policy making is the process of changing an idea into an action. These ideas can come from many different places, for example:

government ministers politicians councillors civil servants society voluntary organisations community groups trade unions professionals, such as doctors and academics public opinion people like you

The list of people involved in shaping policy ideas is almost endless, but unless you start taking part, your views will never make a difference. One of the best ways to be heard is by responding to a formal public consultation. Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act ensures peoples views have to be taken into consideration before any policy decision is made. This means that government has to formally consult with the groups and sectors of society that a new policy might affect before it can ever be implemented. Consultation is a great way for everyone to have a direct say in the policy making process.

What are consultations and tips on taking part

Policy making and you

The devolved government of Northern Ireland is also part of a much larger group, which includes both the United Kingdom and European Union. This means that several different avenues are available to you for the purposes of influencing policies that can change your life or community for the better. You will probably find that the best results in influencing policy development will be as part of a voluntary organisation or community group. However, first you need to know how all these different government structures work together and then find the politicians that can best represent your interests

What is government policy?

Northern Irelands devolved government means that more decisions are taken by our own elected politicians. This page explains how government policy works, so you can get involved and use it to your advantage.

What is policy?
The term government policy can be used to describe any course of action which intends to change a certain situation. Think of policies as a starting point for government to take a course of action that makes a real life change. Government uses policy to tackle a wide range of issues. In fact, it can make policies that could change how much tax you pay, parking fines, immigration laws and pensions. Law can also be changed by government, so when they create a policy it can be made to affect specific groups of people or everyone in our society. Government departments (such as education or finance), agencies (like Land and Property Services or the Housing Executive) and councils all make policies that affect our lives. These policies can be influenced in many ways:

political parties or individual politicians lobbying decision makers in government voluntary organisations community groups public opinion public consultations the media

Northern Ireland can also be affected by policies which come from the United Kingdom government and the European Union. Take for example the way UK policy has changed antiterrorism laws across the whole country or how the European Union sets targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

How to influence policy

Policy making is the process of changing an idea into an action. These ideas can come from many different places, for example:

government ministers politicians councillors civil servants society voluntary organisations community groups trade unions professionals, such as doctors and academics public opinion people like you

The list of people involved in shaping policy ideas is almost endless, but unless you start taking part, your views will never make a difference. One of the best ways to be heard is by responding to a formal public consultation.