On September 15, the conference titled “The Present and Future of Families and Relationships” took place, during which the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest joined the circle of Family-Friendly Universities.
The event, held at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, was organized by the Three Princes, Three Princesses Movement, which was established in 2009 with the goal of ensuring the birth of desired children and providing adequate social support to young people and families in matters and issues related to relationships, starting a family, and child-rearing. The participants of the conference were welcomed by Eszter Vitályos, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, and a presentation was given by Prof. Dr. Emőke Bagdy, a clinical psychologist and professor emerita.
With the ceremonial signing, four higher education institutions joined the Family-Friendly University Collaboration: the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, the Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, the Pannon University, and the Sopron University.
“We are in a unique position because our university has a family-like character. Our students are not just numbers; we also know the person behind them,” said Prof. Dr. Péter Sótonyi, rector, during a roundtable discussion organized for the newly joined universities.
“Many young people simply cannot find a partner, which is why we must create opportunities for them to get to know each other,” emphasized the rector. “As a family-friendly university, we provide various means for our students who have children to continue their studies uninterrupted, such as individual study schedules. We also support our employees who are raising children with benefits and reduced working hours,” added Prof. Dr. Péter Sótonyi.
By signing the document, the universities commit to cooperate with the Three Princes, Three Princesses Movement in the fields of education and research, in line with the goals of a family-friendly university. Additionally, they will implement further family-friendly measures, develop infrastructure for childcare for students and staff with young children, participate in shaping the mindset regarding families and childbearing, and create and implement family-friendly university and workplace programs.
