In Focus: Parents with Young Children – International Scientific Symposium at Eötvös Loránd University
The second International Scientific Symposium jointly organised by KINCS and ELTE focused once again on promoting the labour market participation of parents with young children, bringing together 19 experts from 16 European countries.
In his opening remarks, Tamás Szabados, Vice-Dean of the ELTE Faculty of Law, highlighted the numerous challenges faced by parents returning to the labour market. He praised the event’s rich programme, emphasising that the good practices presented here can bring real, tangible improvements for mothers and fathers re-entering employment.
In her welcome speech, Tünde Fűrész, President of KINCS, stressed that supporting parents with young children is a key pillar of Hungarian family policy and serves both social and economic interests. She pointed out that returning to work can only be successful within a regulatory framework that truly responds to families’ needs. She also underlined that a revised, expanded edition of last year’s English-language volume Promoting Labour Market Participation of Parents with Young Children across the EU is currently in preparation, further strengthening European cooperation and the sharing of good practices.
Árpád József Mészáros, Strategic Vice-President at KINCS, provided an overview of the employment situation of young people in Europe. He addressed the issue of the gender pay gap and the concept of the “freedom to stay,” which offers a response to, for example, the challenges faced by depopulating rural areas. In terms of good practices, he also spoke about the Harnessing Talent Platform, a European initiative that supports EU regions in managing demographic change, and of which KINCS is a proud member.
Kinga Joó, member of the European Economic and Social Committee, presented the revised Barcelona targets on Early Childhood Education and Care and other social protection and social services issues before the EESC. She offered a detailed overview of the steps leading to the review of the Barcelona targets, including the European Pillar of Social Rights, the various elements of the European Child Guarantee, and the European Care Strategy. She stressed the importance of strengthening long-term care systems, noting that ageing EU Member States are facing significant challenges in this field.
The symposium — hosted once again by the ELTE Faculty of Law — was held in a truly hybrid format, with most speakers participating in person and many joining online. Throughout the day, experts reviewed employment regulations affecting parents with young children, flexible working arrangements, the many challenges faced by single-parent families, and the fundamental role of early childhood services.
We extend our sincere thanks to Éva Gellérné Lukács for her role in organising the event. We are also grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the symposium, whether in person or online. We are proud that we were once again able to engage in a meaningful professional dialogue this year.
