Family and Demographic Change

Families are the smallest social unit in our society and, at the same time, they're its social center – the fabric which holds it together. And, in order to confront the challenges of demographic change, they represent our biggest potential. Therefore, in focusing on "Family and Demographic Change" the Robert Bosch Stiftung would like to

• Define the basis and formulate a proactive family-oriented policy with the assistance of published studies, for example in the subject areas of "Impulses for Family Support Ser-vices" (Unternehmen Familie), "Desire to Have Children in Germany" (Kinderwünsche in Deutschland), and "Demography as an Opportunity" (Demographie als Chance);
  
  
• Support projects which help families in their everyday lives and which promote better compatibility between job and family. In 2008, two programs related to this were launched: "Unternehmen Familie – Impulses for Family Support Services" as well as "Familie in der Hochschule - Families at University";
  
  
• Discuss recommended actions and opportunities for demographic change on a broad basis with politicians, organizations, the media, and the general public, such as during the "Berlin Talks on Demography";
  
  
• Intensify the international exchange of experiences, for example in the "Cities for Children" network or at the meeting of experts "Demography Worldwide."

"Family and Demographic Change," a commission of experts appointed by the foundation and under the leadership of Professor Kurt Biedenkopf, former Minister President of the German Federal State of Saxony, formulated valuable approaches for the demographic challenge and suggestions for the funding practice. In 2005, the commission published the report "A Strong Family"; since 2007 it has been occupying itself with the relationship of family and civil society under the aspect of subsidiarity.