Press Information
Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice
Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Needs and Rights of Children whose Parents are Living Apart
Bonn, Germany, 28 July 2014.
The International Conference on Shared Parenting on 9-11 July 2014 in Bonn, Germany under the theme “Bridging the Gap between Empirical Evidence and Socio-Legal Practice” was the first international and interdisciplinary gathering of scholars, practitioners and NGO representatives interested in the emerging paradigm of shared parenting in families in which parents are living apart. The conference was jointly chaired by the President of the International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP), Prof. Edward Kruk, Canada, and Prof. Dr. jur. Hildegund Sünderhauf, Lutheran University Nuremberg, Germany.
A wide range of topics as well as perspectives on shared parenting were discussed and debated, leading to six major items. “Shared parenting — being defined as encompassing both shared parental authority and shared parental responsibility with a minimum of one-third time with each parent, including weekday time — is a viable post-divorce parenting arrangement for the majority of children of divorce, and in their best interests. The above apply to the majority of children and families, including conflict families, but not to situations of substantiated family violence and child abuse”, Prof. Sünderhauf stated. “Thus national family law should at least include the possibility to give shared parenting orders, even if one parent opposes it.” “Nevertheless, 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”, Prof. Kruk underlined.
The Conference Conclusions are available on the conference website:
The International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP) will offer conferences on an annual basis. The follow-up International Conference on Shared Parenting is scheduled for 28-30 May 2015 in Bonn, Germany.
The International Conference on Shared Parenting 2014 was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Family (Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend – BMFSFJ), by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), a major German research funding organization, by the Lutheran University Nuremberg, by the City of Bonn and Bonn Rhein Sieg Touristik GmbH, as well as by Joe Sorge, Dr. Ned Holstein and the National Parents Organization (USA).
Contact:
Angela Hoffmeyer
Secretary General
International Council on Shared Parenting (ICSP)
Phone: +49-170-800 46 15
E-mail: angela.hoffmeyer@twohomes.org
Website: www.twohomes.org
International Conference On Shared Parenting 2014 Press Information 20140728