Charles Handy was a good man. It is said that behind a good man is a good woman and in this case that was true. Charles and Elizabeth Handy were excellent persons and extremely generous with the Home Renaissance Foundation.

We approached them in 2007 to write ‘Home as a School for Life’ a book on the home that Elizabeth, a professional photographer, described photographically three different families’ lives. And it was an amazing experience that we all always remember.

In 2015, Charles and Elizabeth Handy supported us in the policy report ‘Bricks and Mortar Across Generations: A Think Piece on Intergenerational Living in the United Kingdom’ that we presented at the House of Lords by writing the afterword.

Charles Handy was a writer, broadcaster and lecturer. His books on the changing shape of work and its effects on our lives and organizations have sold two million copies around de world. His latest books, include his memoir ‘Myself and Other More Important Matters’ and ‘The New Philanthropists: Making a Difference’ with – photographs by his wife. This is a sequel to their earlier book ‘The new Alchemists’ profiling successful entrepreneurs in all walks of life. At the time of his death, Handy had one book forthcoming, The View from Ninety: Reflections on Living a Long, Contented Life, which is set for publication in 2025.

In his career, he had been an oil executive with Shell, a business economist, Professor at the London Business School, the Warden of St. George’s House in Windsor Castle (a study centre for social and ethical issues) and the Chairman of the Royal Society of Arts. He was also known in Britain for his Thoughts for Today on the BBC radio breakfast show ‘Today’. He was Irish and grew up in Kildare but he died at his home in London on 13 December 2024.

It All Starts at Home. This is a message that we have been trying to convey to the population and policy-makers since the Home Renaissance Foundation began its work almost 20 years ago, in order to highlight the value of the home as the fabric of our lives.

It is exciting to see how institutions and foundations worldwide organise forums and conferences with the home as a starting point. We saw this first-hand in May in New York at the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Families, in which we participated, and we are happy to see that ‘It All Starts at Home’ was the title of the twelfth World Urban Forum held in Cairo last week, curated by UN-Habitat and facilitated by global thought leaders and experts.

With a record-breaking attendance of over 24,000 participants from 182 countries, speakers, panelists, and attendees from diverse backgrounds explored the multifaceted dimensions of Home and reflected on its significance across various sectors.

Its programme states: The concept of “home” extends beyond the physical structures that shelter us to encompass the cultural, social, economic and environmental dimensions of daily life. It furthermore embodies the intangible attributes of belonging, meaning and values that shape the sustainability of our cities and communities.

As you know, in HRF as a result of all these years we have published a document in which we explain WHAT is HOME, edited by our director Prof. Antonio Argandoña and with the contribution of many researchers who have collaborated with us so far.

In the Forum, they also restate the role of the academy as an engine of knowledge, and in the Academia Roundtable, scholars and researchers explored how research and data can help solve the climate-related urban housing crisis. They examined how data can inform strategies addressing housing affordability, access to basic services, and environmental sustainability. Research can create innovative solutions tailored to diverse community needs through interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge co-production, and cross-sector partnerships. HRF is proud to be a part of this vital conversation – and to be the pioneer think tank making the case for Home.

Next call WUF13 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Led by FAFCE, seven prominent organisations from the seven G7 countries (Canada, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, and Japan) signed the Family 7, a statement recognising the important role of families and homes in society, which was presented at the G7 Equal Opportunities Summit on 4-6 October in Matera, Italy.

At the end of September, FAFCE President Vincenzo Bassi and Forum delle Associazioni Familiari President Adriano Bordignon hand-delivered the statement to the Italian Minister for Family, Birth and Equal Opportunities, Eugenia Roccella, who declared that “the F7 is an important contribution, both in terms of equal opportunities and the closely related issues of family and demography. Women’s empowerment, and in particular the freedom of women to realise their aspirations without perceiving career and motherhood as incompatible options, is the challenge we are facing’. She added: ‘I thank the F7 for focusing on these issues and I hope that the Matera summit will provide new ideas for action and reflection.”

The document calls for international recognition of the family for its vital role in society and offers policies related to women’s economic participation, unpaid care work, demographics, sustainable development and social inclusion.

FAFCE’s key priority is the demographic crisis, which has led to a culture of loneliness and generational imbalance. Its president, Vincenzo Bassi sees the F7 as “an unprecedented contribution to the G7 as the role of the family as the basic cell of society is even more important in this disastrous demographic winter. The plummeting birth rate and the increasing ageing of society have a major impact on finances, pension systems and social cohesion. The response must prioritise intergenerational solidarity, which starts with the family. Stronger families will help current and future generations to prepare for a more sustainable future.”

The signatories of the F7 are The Institute for Family Studies – USA, Family Enrichment, IFFD – Canada, Home Renaissance Foundation – UK, Familienbund der Katholiken – Germany, Confédération nationale des Associations Familiales Catholiques – France, Forum delle Associazioni Familiari – Italy, Japan Family Development Association – Japan and leading this initiative is FAFCE – Fédération des Associations Familiales Catholiques en Europe.

You can read the F7 here.

‘The Search for Home among Forced Migrants and Refugees’ responds to a reality experienced by 413 million migrants and displaced persons in the world.

On 30 and 31 October, our director and Chair in Architecture at the University of York, Professor Gamal Abdelmonem represented the Home Renaissance Foundation at the International Year of the Family Conference organised by Doha International Family Institute which took place in Qatar.

Prof. Abdelmonem delivered the policies of our Expert Meeting held in Nottingham ‘Home/Family and Climate Change’ whose policy report we launched at the United Nations in May.

This conference explored the present and future of families and communities by bringing together distinguished experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to engage in insightful discussions, roundtable sessions, and exhibitions. Four key megatrends impacting families were approached: Technological, Demographic and Climate Change and Migration and Urbanization.

Here you can see the experts and keynotes

Dear friends,

We are delighted to announce that we have just signed an academic partnership with the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce within the programme: ‘Towards a Culture of Care. A response to the anthropological crisis.’

Our academic director, Prof. Rosa Lastra will represent HRF as a member of the Scientific Committee of the partnership that among other activities is organizing a conference in March 2025.

The conference aims to delve into the issue of altruism as an essential link between the Self and Otherness, interpreting it as a specific human feature, both on a theoretical and applied level. During the conference, a philosophical reflection on altruism will open up an interdisciplinary perspective on medicine, ecology, communication, pedagogy, theology, and sociology, among others.

HRF will coordinate and moderate a workshop on ‘The value of the Home in the Culture of Care’ at this meeting. We shall share more details soon.

In the meantime, you will find the info on the Conference here.

If you are interested in these topics, you can submit an extended abstract (700 words, either in Italian or English) to Francesco Russo (frusso@pusc.it) and Luca Valera (luca.valera@uva.es) by October 31, 2024. The organizers will contact the authors of the selected abstracts and inform them of the participation details by November 15, 2024. The conference will be held at the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce (Rome, Italy) from March 6 to 8, 2025.

On 15-16 May 2024 the Home Renaissance Foundation was invited to participate in the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Families at the United NationsHeadquarters in New York. Our Director, Professor at the University of York, Gamal Abdelmonem gave the opening presentation on the report from our Expert Meeting ‘Home and Climate Change’ held in September 2023 in Nottingham.

In addition, HRF had the opportunity to attend and participate with other experts in discussions on the role of families and households in the face of climate emergencies with four specific themes: (1) climate change and its impact on families; (2) the role of families in climate action; (3) indigenous perspectives on climate change and sustainable family farming; and (4) the interlinkages between climate change and demographic trends, forced migration and displacement, sustainable urbanization and new technologies.

The United Nations has published the report resulting from this meeting and its conclusions, including all the recommendations suggested by the Home Renaissance Foundation. Please find links below.

Report
Recommendations
Bios of participants

Dear friends,

We are already at the gates of summer, but before enjoying a few days of rest, we at HRF have an important engagement, our sixth Experts Meeting ‘Nurturing Healthy Relationships at Home and Work’ this time in Barcelona at the IESE Business School on 8 -9 July.

This will be a joint meeting with the International Centre for Work and Family and the Social Trends Institute which provides the funding for the project. The aim is to explore with invited academic and professional experts the contribution of home to the workplace and the ways in which these mutual relationships can be fostered. Here is the Program. 

But let´s review the work done in the last months, you will find below details and content.

HRF AT THE UNITED NATIONS. We are very grateful for our presence at the United Nations to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the family with the opening speech of our director Professor Gamal Abdelmonem and the participation of our CEO Mercedes Jaureguibeitia. Reports, Videos and Pictures

HRF AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS. At the same time, but in the UK, our Director of Development, Susan Peatfield attended a discussion opened by the think tank Civitas at the House of Lords on parenting and the need for parents to receive help in this vital role.
Read the whole debate here

HRF ON TELEVISION. And, our Head of TV Communications talking about the importance of the home in the development of the person with the President of Aldeas Infantiles on the Spanish channel TRECE.
Click on here to watch the Tv Program

In our website we have two new working papers already published: 

1. Care in the Home, Care of the Common Home, presented by Mercedes Jaureguibeitia at the United Nations.  Read More

2. The Home: Places, Relationships and Care, written by Prof. Antonio Argandoña and recently published in the VII Best Practices Guide of the Family and Business Reconciliation Centre (CONFyE) of IAE Business School in Argentina.  Read the Paper 

May I take this opportunity to thank you for your continuing interest and support and to wish you and your families a very happy and restorative summer.

Kind regards,

Bryan K. Sanderson, CBE

On 8 and 9 July in Barcelona, the Home Renaissance Foundation will hold its sixth Expert Meeting ‘Nurturing Healthy Relationships at Home and Work’ this time in partnership with the International Center Work and Family of the IESE Business School and the Social Trends Institute, which also provides the funding for the project.

The aim is to answer the questions of how the home plays a distinctive positive role in equipping people for the relational demands and opportunities of working life, and how these can be harnessed and nurtured. The intention is to hold an Expert Meeting to identify and discern the best ways to support and connect these mutually beneficial healthy relationships at home and at work.

Led by Prof. Mireia Las Heras, Prof. Yasin Rofcanin and Prof. Marc Grau, ten experts from six countries and different research areas will be invited to contribute to:

1. Draw together evidence of how, within the home, personal and social virtues are fostered to build positive relationships.
2. Examine how these attitudes and relational skills contribute beneficially to the culture of workplace settings and business expectations.
3. Design practical instruments and interventions to nurture and enable the maximum mutual benefits of positive relational development at work and home.

SEE HERE THE PROGRAM

On this occasion and due to the close relationship that this topic has with the professional field, two Endesa-Enel staff members will participate in this Experts Meeting as observers during the two days to get a real and tangible view of this merging of spheres in the debate.

More details shortly.