Our warmest welcome to speakers and participants of the CIFA Regional Symposium & MSF Asian Family Conference 2022 in Singapore. This joint conference is co-hosted by the Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region (CIFA), Singapore's Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), and the Social Work Department of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

As we have seen more global changes in the way we work and live, compounded by COVID-19, family relationships and structures have been impacted to a significant extent. Family is the basic unit of society. Thus, it is important and opportune to explore new ways of collaboration to strengthen families across the policy-research-practice nexus, and across Asian countries/regions. This year's theme of “Empowering Asian Families: Embracing Challenges & Building a Better Future” seeks to enhance our understanding of the challenges faced by families, within an Asian context, and explore ways to stay ahead to support and empower our families.

Aptly, MSF has also designated 2022 as the Year of Celebrating SG Families to reiterate its support and commitment to build strong families. Against this meaningful backdrop, we are pleased to present this first hybrid conference by CIFA, MSF, and NUS, which will gather family policymakers, academics and practitioners from Asia in-person as well as virtually for a meaningful discussion on this topic.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all speakers and participants who would be attending our three-day conference. We hope that this joint conference serves as an opportunity for all to exchange knowledge and strategies to enhance family ecosystems and strengthen family resilience in Asia.

May we wish you an insightful and fruitful conference with meaningful learnings on today's changes and challenges, and we look forward to building closer networks with policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, to strengthen Asian families.

Yours sincerely,