The Madrid Global Caregiver Forum brought together governments, UN agencies, civil society, academia, donors, and caregivers to advance a shared vision for universal caregiver and parenting support as a cornerstone of child wellbeing, violence prevention, and sustainable development. Opened by the Queen of Spain and the Queen of Jordan, and attended by senior leaders from UNICEF, WHO, and over 30 governments, the Forum marked the first global event of its kind dedicated exclusively to caregiving and parenting systems
Across plenary sessions and thematic tracks, participants reaffirmed that caregiving relationships are among the strongest protective factors in a child’s life, shaping health, mental wellbeing, learning, and resilience across the life course. Evidence presented highlighted the high prevalence and long-term impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the critical role of nurturing, non-violent, and supportive parenting in buffering stress and preventing harm. Parenting support was repeatedly framed not as a niche intervention, but as a core, universal prevention strategy that should be embedded across health, education, social protection, child protection, and humanitarian systems.
Key insights emphasised the need for system-wide approaches: universal access combined with targeted and intensive support for families facing greater adversity, including families affected by disability, displacement, or conflict.[1] Sessions underscored the importance of quality assurance, supervision, and a skilled workforce, alongside strong monitoring systems to guide investment and scale. Innovation featured prominently, with digital and blended delivery models recognised as powerful enablers for reach, cost-effectiveness, and inclusion—provided they are co-designed with parents and anchored in strong frontline services.
For the sector, the Forum signals a clear shift from fragmented programming towards integrated national caregiving systems, backed by political leadership, cross-sectoral coordination, and sustained financing. The endorsement of the Forum’s Outcome Document by multiple countries, and plans for a second ministerial conference, point to growing global momentum to position caregiver support as a public investment essential to child development, gender equality, and violence prevention.
[1] Note the important Caregiving in Adversity Framework developed by IRC: https://childprotectionpractitioners.org/caregiving-in-adversity/