Visit of a Korean family policy delegation at KINCS
On November 29, 2018, a Korean family policy delegation has visited the Kopp Maria Institute with the aim to acquaintance themselves in detail with the Hungarian family policy and child welfare system. Our Institute has received the delegation together with the competent field of the Ministry of Human Capacities (EMMI), presenting them the most important elements of Hungarian family policy.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Head of Department for Child Welfare of the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and included staff members, as well as a researcher at Korea's Institute for Health and Social Affairs, and several Korean associates from the field of expertise.
Tünde Fűrész, President of the Maria Kopp Institute for Demography and Families (KINCS), welcomed the participants and introduced the Institute. She explained that the Institute was established in 2018, the Year of Families by the Hungarian Government as a demographic and family policy think tank, its operation being publicly financed. The Institute performs its activities following the spirit of Professor Maria Kopp in order to contribute to finding the most appropriate and effective responses to solving our population problems. She has explained that for this purpose, the Institute carries out domestic and international activities, policy analyses and research that can serve as a basis for measures on family and population affairs, thus contributing to the family friendly, harmonious functioning of society and the survival of our nation.
Dr. Tímea Leiner Mészáros-Komáromyné (Family Support desk officer, EMMI) spoke about Hungarian family policy measures. After a brief demographic introduction, she has described in detail the family cash benefits and allowances, as well as measures facilitating the reconciliation of work and private life.
Presentation of the nursery care system in Hungary Erőssné Dr. Nacsa Olga Terézia (Head of Department, EMMI) presented the system of nursery care in Hungary, emphasizing the project on extending nursery capacities.
Mónika Szarvák, EMMI desk officer, has presented child benefit allowances and services, as well as the foster care system and opportunities for helping families in crisis.
Following the lectures, an active dialogue between the Korean experts and the Hungarian party started. During the exchange of views, András Székely, Head of Policy Analysis at KINCS, highlighted that one of the government's main aspirations for family policy measures is to help families in having all children they wish for. On the threatened families, Tünde Fűrész emphasized that domestic violence constitutes an independent offense in our country and emphasized that members of the supply network (e.g. health visitors, teachers, general practitioners) are obliged to report if they suspect a member of the family is at risk.
At the closing of the meeting, Tünde Fűrész thanked the delegation for honouring our Institute by visiting and showing interest towards the Hungarian experience. She expressed hope that the cooperation that has begun through the conciliation will continue in the future, in particular as that the two countries are facing similar demographic challenges, so that good practices can be beneficial to both parties.
