Bandar Seri Begawan - "The issue of work-family balance is a global challenge by the family institution", highlighted by Hj Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports during the soft commencement of the 5th EAMFF yesterday.

Through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darusalam managed to host the fifth East Asia Ministerial Forum on Family (5th EAMFF). The three-day forum will officially commence today at the Indera Samudera Grand Hall, The Empire Hotel and Country Club.

More than 100 delegates from 13 countries are attending the 5th EAMFF, which includes Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Cambodia, Republic of China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste as well as Vietnam.

The Chairman of the 5th EAMFF, Hj Mohd Rozan, in his speech hoped that the forum will be considered as a platform to share experiences, ideas and perspectives in relation to family issues and develop ideas for establishing cooperative partnerships within the East Asian Region.

"We hope that this forum will arrive at joint action for the well-being of individuals and the stable development of families of the East Asian Region". He further emphasised that the number of working mothers have increased since the rapid socio-economic development, and it has abruptly changed their roles as full-time mothers and housewives. Subsequently, according to him, parents tend to lack quality time that they need to give to their children.

The theme of the forum this year is "Ensuring Work-Family Balance", where top officials from their respective countries will discuss family-related issues.

It is expected that the ministerial forum be able to discuss and share experiences in managing work-family balance.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin