Globally, families are becoming more diverse and family policies are drawn more to the centre of economic policies as labour markets and economies change. The challenges are manifold, and include ensuring the well-being and welfare of children, managing demographic changes and transitions, reconciling work and family life, and achieving gender balance and other forms of equity within and among families. Other challenges include managing the redistribution of resources and opportunities between generations, offering care services especially for older people, and providing support for individual family members, as well as families as a whole.

Most nations now recognise the importance of protecting and promoting the welfare of children and families. DSPI researchers are making a significant contribution to the development of a range of policies and practices aimed at promoting child and family well-being in both the Global North and South.