On October 24, Colegio Retamar in Madrid hosted the IFFD Spain Summit 2026, a day of connection, learning, and inspiration that brought together more than 140 people involved in Family Enrichment centers from cities across Spain. Under the theme “Transforming Hearts, Transforming Families,” the Summit provided an opportunity to share experiences, discover new initiatives, and continue building the future of Family Enrichment together.
Innovation in Support of Families
One of the sessions was dedicated to showcasing initiatives being developed across the different centers. These included the The Role of Women program, a program for parents of young adult children, Pause by IFFD, and a program for engaged couples. These initiatives reflect IFFD’s commitment to innovation and to addressing the needs of families at different stages of life.
An Invitation to Think About Family
The event also featured Ricardo Piñero, philosopher and professor of Aesthetics and Art Theory at the University of Navarra, who delivered a talk titled “Dare to Think About Family.” His presentation invited participants to reflect on family life and explore its role in today’s society.
Looking to the Future: Unity, Communication, and Coordination
One of the highlights of the Summit was a special address by Jorge Correa, IFFD’s new secretary, who joined remotely from Australia to share his vision for the organization’s future. In his remarks, he emphasized three fundamental principles for moving forward together: unity, communication, and coordination.
He also outlined four strategic priorities for the coming years. The first is to continue expanding Pause by IFFD internationally, bringing the program to more countries. The second is to keep updating existing programs and developing new offerings that respond to the evolving needs of families.
The third priority is the renewal of IFFD’s Board of Directors, with the aim of further strengthening the representation and participation of the countries most actively involved in the organization. Finally, he highlighted the 2028 IFFD Congress in Rome as a key opportunity to bring the international community together and continue advancing the organization’s shared mission.
Connecting, Reflecting, and Building the Future
The Summit also provided time to strengthen relationships among participants. An outdoor lunch created a relaxed setting for people from different centers to connect and exchange experiences.
In the afternoon, participants took part in a workshop focused on reflection and teamwork, addressing some of IFFD’s key challenges and opportunities: the organization’s future, the impact of artificial intelligence, the role of the discussion leader, the needs of families today, and IFFD’s funding. The workshop offered an opportunity to share perspectives, explore new ideas, and work together to identify ways to keep growing.
A Community Looking to the Future with Enthusiasm
The IFFD Spain Summit 2026 was a day filled with energy, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community. It provided an opportunity to renew motivation, strengthen connections, and share ideas and initiatives to continue advancing Family Enrichment in Spain.
Transforming hearts and transforming families is a shared mission, built day by day through the commitment of everyone involved in IFFD and a common determination to work together to support families today and in the future.