I realize that there are many ongoing tragedies, governmental policies, and natural disasters that affect families and children across the globe daily. As an organization of family nurses, I want to let the membership know that the IFNA Board of Directors has been working on a policy to guide our organizational leaders on appropriate responses, if any, when evaluating global situations affecting families.
Countries around the world have many instances that receive media attention and public responses, and it is especially difficult when these instances are occurring within our various home countries. For a public response to any one of these many situations, the IFNA Board will first reiterate the core values of our organization. Below is our core values statement:
IFNA's core values embrace a compassionate family focus on social justice, human dignity and respect for all.
In global instances affecting families and children, whether it be an earthquake, tsunami, immigration policy, access to healthcare, affordable housing, equality practices, access to education, hunger, and more, we advocate for action to be taken that is compassionate, just, dignified, and respects all humans.
It is emotionally difficult to hear about any child, parent, or family being treated in a manner inconsistent with IFNA core values and our own core values. While IFNA cannot speak for any individual member, we can reflect, communicate, and stand by our organizational core values when it comes to these tragic situations. We do not want our silence to be seen as indifference to a situation. Nor are we able to speak to every country's human rights abuse, immigration policy, or impact of natural disaster.
To better support and communicate IFNA core values, our Board will evaluate individual situations guided by these five main questions:
1. Does the issue relate or go against IFNA's core values?
2. Does the issue have international significance?
3. How does the issue relate to family nursing globally?
4. What is the impact of not responding and remaining silent?
5. What is the impact of responding and formally taking a stand?
If IFNA will officially make a statement about a global situation affecting families, we will begin by communicating the core values of our organization and advocate for compassion, social justice, human dignity, and respect for all. In some instances, we will evoke a Call to Action, such as providing information to IFNA members to take action on a personal level that would advocate for change or wider response to the situation.
As your President, I welcome any comments to this letter.
Sincerely,
Jane H. Lassetter
President of the International Family Nursing Association
