A/HRC/39/32 grants, volunteer programmes and infrastructure. It was important for the State, in addressing the problems of unemployment and isolation, to promote the participation of older persons in social life, since having the feeling of involvement was very important for older persons’ well-being. 21. Ms. Kornfeld-Matte emphasized that the only binding instrument in force was the Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons, which had been ratified by several countries. She said that States could do more to support formal caregivers to complement informal family caregivers, who were often in situations of stress and provided care without respite. In addition, States could train informal caregivers, and create day centres for older persons to attend at certain times, as a way to avoid institutionalization in long-stay facilities. Finally, States should take advantage of the possibility of involving older persons in university networks for older persons, which would greatly help their socialization. B. The role of the family in providing long-term care and support to older persons 22. In his introduction, the moderator, John Beard, Director of the Ageing and Life Course Department of the World Health Organization, said that the lack of support for family caregivers resulted in unnecessary burdens and in inadequate care for older persons and violations of their rights. Girls and women were often in charge of family care, which sometimes limited their possibilities for study or of having equal access to employment. Furthermore, in some countries, older women with dementia suffered accusations of witchery, and forced institutionalization. He noted several innovative developments, such as community-based self-help groups, and the creation of care economies that produced jobs for younger people while they cared for older persons. However, stewardship by governments was necessary for the success of any such initiatives. The moderator asked the panellists to explore the challenges faced by older persons in accessing long-term care and by the families supporting them, and to describe what responsibilities States and other stakeholders had in order to address those challenges while reinforcing the centrality of family. 23. Mona Ibrahem Isa Ahmed, of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs of Qatar, underscored the importance of the family in caring for its members as an integrated unit. A cohesive family could make significant contributions in providing support and care to the elderly. The Constitution of Qatar recognized that family was the basis of the society and was founded on religion, ethics and patriotism. In addition, the Constitution mandated the law to prescribe adequate means to protect the family, support its structure, strengthen its ties, and protect maternity, childhood and old age. Governments needed to support and encourage programmes and initiatives to support older persons, including for formal care for the elderly, to complement the support provided by members of the family. 24. Among the types of families in Qatar, extended families consisted of grandparents, mothers, fathers, children and grandchildren. Such a family structure gave older persons the opportunity for natural interaction with children and other relatives, and prevented them from suffering from isolation. A study had shown that over one half of older women, and one third of older men, lived in extended families. In addition, one poll on the social and environmental challenges faced by beneficiaries of the social security system had shown that less than 3 per cent of the population regarded caring for older persons in the family as troublesome. 25. Ms. Ahmed described policies aimed at supporting families and older persons, within government agencies such as the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. The policies included a service that provided access for older persons to public offices, and hotlines for communication and coordination with social researchers, who were able to conduct case research or provide assistance through any of the services provided by the Ministry. Another project facilitated home care by means of specialized 7