At our European expert meeting in Warsaw on 21st May 2025, under the patronage of the Polish presidency of the EU and co-hosted with Share The Care Foundation Poland and ZUS (Social Insurance Insitution), we were honoured to have Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka (Undersecretary of State, European Union Affairs Division, The Chancellery of the Prime Minister) and Aleksandra Gajewska (Secretary of State, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy) with us to represent the Polish government.
With 120+ participants from 27 countries (including our COFACE penguins who joined us given the big focus on parental equality), we had rich discussions focusing on challenges persisting for families of today across Europe and beyond, we discussed public policy solutions as well as good practices in the workplace. Both sides of the work-life balance coin. Experts from family organisations and public policy-makers across Europe joined us in Warsaw, as well as employers, trade unions, health practitioners, representatives from key partners such as the OECD, EPSU, the UNFPA and the European Equality Law Network, and researchers from a wide range of universities in Poland and across Europe.
We put the spotlight on the economy and the workplace during the expert meeting. COFACE advocates for inclusive, family-supportive workplace cultures built on equal opportunities, non-discrimination, and a recognition of family diversity. Today’s families are diverse – single parents, same-sex couples with children, blended families, large and multigenerational households, families with disabilities, and more. Transforming organisational culture to support all workers, regardless of family structure, benefits the entire organisation. Such cultural shifts contribute to a more attractive and inclusive workplace, helping businesses retain diverse talent and motivating employees.
