Organized by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) and backed by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, the forum aims to produce the first global roadmap for universal caregiver programmes — a step organizers hope will pave the way to a United Nations General Assembly resolution.
Momentum Builds: Governments Are Already Scaling Up
Over a quarter of the world’s governments have expanded or introduced parenting programmes in recent years. Spain, the forum’s host, has embedded positive parenting strategies in national, regional, and local child wellbeing plans — a model highlighted repeatedly throughout the opening sessions. The economic evidence is equally compelling. Adverse childhood experiences cost $1.3 trillion annually in North America and Europe alone. Parenting programmes, by contrast, can be delivered for less than one percent of that cost — with returns on investment estimated at up to $13 for every $1 spent.
The role of The Human Safety Net
Emma Ursich, The Human Safety Net’s CEO, spoke on a panel dedicated to Scale, Sustainability, and Delivery Systems, convened by Parenting for Lifelong Health, the University of Oxford, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization. The session brought together leaders from health, social welfare, education, faith-based organisations, and philanthropy to explore how parenting programmes can become an enduring part of national services.
In her intervention, Emma Ursich shared The Human Safety Net’s experience supporting NGOs with proven, evidence-based parenting models and helping them grow through long-term partnerships with governments. In 2020, THSN launched Scale Up Impact, a dedicated initiative designed to help the most promising organisations in its portfolio move from pilot to national scale through a combination of multi-year funding, capacity development, and tailored technical support.
A key learning from our scaling journey is the importance of partnership and patience. Scaling with quality often takes longer than expected, requires strong relationships with trusted NGO partners, and depends on close collaboration with public authorities. Digital solutions can accelerate reach, but experience shows that at least one in-person touchpoint remains essential, particularly for families in vulnerable situations.
The Human Safety Net’s contribution to the Global Caregiver Forum aligns with the event’s broader ambition: to develop a global roadmap for universal caregiver support and lay the groundwork for future international commitments. As governments, multilateral organisations, and civil society work toward this shared goal, The Human Safety Net continues to position itself as a long-term partner in building sustainable systems that support parents, protect children, and strengthen communities.
