[03. 10. 2022] Within the framework of the COST programme (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), the interdisciplinary network “Transnational Family Dynamics in Europe” (TraFaDy) was launched on 3 October. COFACE Families Europe and the AGF are partners in the network, Sven Iversen was elected vice-chair.
This Action aims to deepen the knowledge of the growing, rapidly changing phenomenon and dynamics of transnational families (TNF) by bringing together researchers and stakeholders from different disciplines and countries to address the need for transnational insights and to formulate policy and practice-oriented recommendations with an impact on international, national, sub-local and local practices. This Action will closely monitor current trends in migration, technology and politics, and engage in an intensive dialogue with policy and practitioners, and, thus, address the need to deepen and broaden scientific and policy understanding of TNF.
The Action will develop a systematic exchange of knowledge, innovative interdisciplinary and international perspectives on TNF and tangible recommendations for stakeholders and policy makers. To achieve this, the Action is structured into 4 thematic working groups (WGs), which address critical areas that are gaining importance in research, practice and policy and therefore require significant theoretical and empirical development: WG 1: Kinkeeping within TNF in a global and digital era; WG 2: Integrating the perspective of vulnerable children and young people in social welfare and policy; WG 3: Social rights and social protection of transnational families; WG 4: Health and well-being of TNF. In addition, WG 5 will stimulate methodological progress and WG 6 will consolidate the recommendations of the other 5 working groups into clear and tangible recommendations for stakeholders and policy makers.
AGF Executive Director and COFACE Vice-President Sven Iversen was elected Vice-Chair during the inaugural meeting on 03 October in Brussels. The Chair is Prof. Mieke Schrooten from the University of Antwerp and Odisee in Belgium. The programme will run for four years.
More information is available on the website https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA21143/. There is also the possibility to apply for participation in the network and the working groups.