International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014
Thanks to all participants, we are looking forward to see you again next year!
Conference Conclusions - Bonn, July 11th 2014
At the conclusion of our first International Conference on Shared Parenting Prof. Dr. jur. Hildegund Sünderhauf (Chair of Scientific Committee) and Prof. Edward Kruk (ICSP President) developed the following theses to be discussed and adopted as a Consensus Statement:
Keeping in mind that the main goal of our Council is to develop evidence-based approaches to the needs and rights of children whose parents are living apart, we established as the theme for our first conference, “Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice”. This was the first such gathering of scholars, practitioners and NGO representatives interested in the emerging paradigm of shared parenting in families in which parents are living apart. A wide range of topics as well as perspectives on shared parenting were discussed and debated, and at the end of the conference we were challenged in regard to determining what sort of consensus emerged on a number of important issues that we discussed and debated.
We arrived at the following 6 major areas of consensus:
1. Shared parenting is a viable post-divorce parenting arrangement
There is a consensus that neither the discretionary best interests of the child standard, nor sole custody or primary residence orders, are serving the needs of children and families of divorce. There is a consensus that shared parenting is a viable post-divorce parenting arrangement that is optimal to child development and well-being, including for children of high conflict parents. The amount of shared parenting time necessary to achieve child well-being and positive outcomes is a minimum of one-third time with each parent, with additional benefits accruing up to and including equal (50-50) parenting time, including both weekday (routine) and weekend (leisure) time.
2. Shared parenting be defined as encompassing both: shared parental authority and shared parental responsibility
There is consensus that “shared parenting” be defined as encompassing both shared parental authority (decision-making) and shared parental responsibility for the day-to-day upbringing and welfare of children, between fathers and mothers, in keeping with children´s age and stage of development. Thus “shared parenting” is defined as “the assumption of shared responsibilities and presumption of shared rights in regard to the parenting of children by fathers and mothers who are living together or apart.”
3. National family law should at least include the possibility to give shared parenting orders
There is a consensus that national family law should at least include the possibility to give shared parenting orders, even if one parent opposes it. There is a consensus that shared parenting is in line with constitutional rights in many countries and with international human rights, namely the right of children to be raised by both of their parents.
4. Principles to guide the legal determination of parenting after divorce
There is a consensus that the following principles should guide the legal determination of parenting after divorce:
(1) shared parenting as an optimal arrangement for the majority of children of divorce, and in their best interests.
(2) parental autonomy and self-determination.
(3) limitation of judicial discretion in regard to the best interests of children.
5. The above applíes to the majority of children and families
There is a consensus that the above apply to the majority of children and families, including conflict families, but not to situations of substantiated family violence and child abuse. There is a consensus that the priority for further research on shared parenting should focus on the intersection of child custody and family violence, including child maltreatment in all its forms, including parental alienation.
6. Accessible network of family relationship centres
There is a consensus that an accessible network of family relationship centres that offer family mediation and other relevant support services are critical in the establishment of a legal presumption of shared parenting, and vital to the success of shared parenting arrangements.
We wish all participants a good journey!
Status: 2014-07-08
One week to go: a few places still available!
Status: 2014-07-02
Are you dealing with families affected by parental separation?
Register for the International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014:
Conference Details:
When: 9-11 July 2014
Where: Bonn, Germany
What is it about: The interdisciplinary conference will gather delegates from across the world to discuss responses to the alarming increase in psycho-social and developmental problems among children whose parents are living apart.
Who will present: Under the theme “Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice”, a wide range of international experts in the field of shared parenting – both from science and family professions – will present their research results and practical experience.
Confirmed plenary speakers:
- Malin Bergström, PhD, Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Sweden
- Dr. Chantal Clot-Grangeat, Docteure en psychologie clinique, ICSP Vice-President, France
- Dr. Ned Holstein, Founder and Chairman of the Board of National Parents Organization (NPO), USA
- Prof. Edward Kruk, MSW, PhD, University of British Columbia, ICSP President, Canada
- Prof. Gérard Neyrand, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, France
- Anne Reiser, Attorney-at-law, Switzerland
- Jürgen Rudolph, retired Family Judge, Author and Founder of “Cochem Practice”, Germany
- Prof. Dr. Hildegund Sünderhauf, Lutheran University Nuremberg, Chair of Scientific Committee, Germany
Confirmed panel moderators:
- Arnd Henze, TV Journalist, Berlin Studio, German Public Television ARD, Germany
- Oliver Hunziker, President of the Swiss Association for Shared Parenting (GeCoBi), ICSP Vice-President, Switzerland
Who should attend: Research scientists, family professionals and representatives of civil society as well as policy-makers and journalists interested in the feasibility of shared parenting as a viable and beneficial solution for children.
Which disciplines are covered: Psychology, social work, sociology, demography, law.
Which languages are spoken: The conference language is English, simultaneous translation will be provided in English, French and German.
Deadline for early-bird registration extended to 14 June 2014!
Status: 2014-06-03
Registration for the conference is now open!
Status: 2014-05-16
Please forward this information to relevant contacts in your network.
Dear Madam, dear Sir,
Register now for the International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014 to obtain the early-bird rate of €190 (instead of the standard rate of €235)! The deadline for the early-bird rate is 30 May 2014 (places are limited).
Jointly chaired by the President of the newly established International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP), Prof. Edward Kruk, MSW, PhD, University of British Columbia, Canada, and the Chair of the Scientific Committee of the conference, Prof. Dr. jur. Hildegund Sünderhauf, Lutheran University Nuremberg, Germany, the International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014 is a landmark event on shared parenting which is supported notably by the German Federal Ministry of Family (Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend/BMFSFJ) and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), a major German research funding organization.
The interdisciplinary conference will gather delegates from across the world at the “Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn” on 9-11 July 2014 to discuss responses to the alarming increase in psycho-social and developmental problems among children whose parents are living apart. Under the theme “Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice”, a wide range of international experts in the field of shared parenting – both from science and family professions – will present their research results and practical experience. The conference language is English, simultaneous translation will be provided in English, French and German.
The advanced conference program and all further information about the conference are available at the conference website.
The International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP) was founded on 22 February 2014 in Bonn, Germany, by leading research scientists, family professionals and representatives of civil society from 11 countries as a non-profit organization focusing on the feasibility of shared parenting as a viable and beneficial solution for children. The purpose of the association is first, the dissemination and advancement of scientific knowledge on the needs and rights (“best interests”) of children whose parents are living apart, and second, to formulate evidence-based recommendations about the legal, judicial and practical implementation of shared parenting.
Looking forward to welcoming you in Bonn in July.
Best regards,
Angela Hoffmeyer
Secretary General
International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP)
Stiftsgasse 6, 53111 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49-170-800 46 15
E-Mail: angela.hoffmeyer@twohomes.org
Website: www.twohomes.org
Second Announcement
Pre-register now!
Status: 2014-04-19
Pre-register now to guarantee your place in the International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014!
Pre-registration (“Expression of Interest”) will be open until 29 April 2014. As a pre-registered participant you will obtain preferred access to the early-bird rate of €190 instead of the standard rate of €235 (places are limited).
The International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014 will gather delegates from across the world at the “Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn” on 9-11 July 2014 to discuss responses to the alarming increase in psycho-social and developmental problems among children whose parents are living apart. Experts in the field of shared parenting – both from science and family professions – are invited to present their research results and practical experience at the interdisciplinary conference under the theme “Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice”. The conference language is English, simultaneous translation will be provided in English, French and German.
Call for Papers: Contribute to the conference program by submitting an abstract before the extended deadline of 29 April 2014.
Confirmed conference speakers may potentially obtain partial reimbursement of their travel expenses.
All information about the conference can be found on the conference website (on which you are currently) that is continuously updated according to progress on the conference program and logistics.
First Announcement
Call for Papers and Call for Expressions of Interest
Status: 2014-03-24
The International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014 will gather delegates from across the world at the “Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn” on 9-11 July 2014 to discuss responses to the alarming increase in psycho-social and developmental problems among children whose parents are living apart. The event will be jointly chaired by the President of the newly established International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP), Prof. Edward Kruk, MSW, PhD, University of British Columbia, Canada, and the Chair of the Scientific Committee of the conference, Prof. Dr. jur. Hildegund Sünderhauf, Lutheran University Nuremberg, Germany.
Experts in the field of shared parenting – both from science and family professions – are invited to present their research results and practical experience at the interdisciplinary conference under the theme “Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice”. The conference language is English, simultaneous translation will be provided in English, French and German.
The International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP) was founded on 22 February 2014 in Bonn, Germany, by leading research scientists, family professionals and representatives of civil society from 11 countries as a non-profit organization focusing on the feasibility of shared parenting as a viable and beneficial solution for children. The purpose of the association is first, the dissemination and advancement of scientific knowledge on the needs and rights (“best interests”) of children whose parents are living apart, and second, to formulate evidence-based recommendations about the legal, judicial and practical implementation of shared parenting.
International Conference On Shared Parenting 2014 Announcement EN 2014 03 24