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ECCK Family Friendly Future Forum Marks First Anniversary and Announces 2026 Priorities
On November 28, the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK)’s Family Friendly Future Forum (FFFF) marks its first anniversary this month, presenting the progress made over the past year and announcing its 2026 implementation plan. The roadmap is based on insights gathered from Forum activities, including an assessment of workplace family-friendly policies, companies’ practical challenges, and discussions with government institutions. Launched in November 2024, the Family Friendly Future Forum (FFFF) is a business-led platform created to address Korea’s demographic shifts — including low birth rates, population ageing, and the resulting pressures on caregiving and workforce retention. Over the past year, the Forum has brought together companies, government representatives, and academic experts to build shared understanding and explore practical ways to advance work–life balance.
ECCK President Stefan Ernst emphasized the significance of this collaborative effort, stating, “Korea’s demographic challenge is an issue that requires engagement from all parts of society, including the business community. Over the past year, the Family Friendly Future Forum has shown that coordinated action can lead to meaningful change. In 2026, we will work with even more companies to advance practical policy improvements and shift social perceptions around family-friendly practices. Over the past year, the Forum has delivered activities across its three core areas—stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and sharing insights. Major initiatives included the policy roundtable on “East Asia’s Demographic Crisis,” hosted on August 11 with support from the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society & Population Policy; the November 28 information session “Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy”; and the Family-Friendly Workplace Survey designed to better understand Korea’s work–life balance landscape.
Drawing on these insights, the FFFF will shift its focus in 2026 toward ensuring that family-friendly policies and data translate into tangible outcomes in the workplace. The Forum has therefore designated 2026 as a “year of implementation,” outlining a set of actions organized around three main pillars. Under the first focus area, Workplace Culture & Practices, FFFF will help member companies strengthen execution so that family-friendly policies are applied fairly and consistently. Initiatives will include cross-company sharing of leading practices and education and engagement campaigns. For the second, Life-stage Support & Benefits, FFFF will work with member companies to expand support across life stages, including fertility and pregnancy, childcare, and eldercare. The Forum will continue to highlight real corporate cases and expand discussions on how companies can develop life-stage-based programs that reflect the needs of diverse family structures and age groups. In the third focus area, Policy & Regulatory Environment, FFFF will strengthen public–private collaboration so that corporate strategies and national population policies are better aligned. The Forum will continue to engage in dialogue with government bodies, public institutions and expert communities, contribute field-based insights and recommendations to the ECCK 2026 White Paper, and present policy proposals and an action roadmap at its annual forum in November.
Co-Chair Christoph Hamann, General Manager of Merck Healthcare Korea, emphasized this transition, noting, “Policies alone are not enough to create real change. In 2026, we will prioritize helping employees fully understand and utilize both public and corporate family-friendly programs, while encouraging a culture where these benefits are experienced more consistently and meaningfully across organizations.” With a year of foundation-building completed, the Family Friendly Future Forum now moves into a new phase focused on execution, measurable progress, and deeper cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Member Companies (alphabetical order): Adecco, Ferring, GSK, International School of Busan (ISB), LHH, Merck, Novartis, Swiss Re, Vandelande Logistics.
ECCK Family Friendly Future Forum Marks First Anniversary and Announces 2026 Priorities
On November 28, the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK)’s Family Friendly Future Forum (FFFF) marks its first anniversary this month, presenting the progress made over the past year and announcing its 2026 implementation plan. The roadmap is based on insights gathered from Forum activities, including an assessment of workplace family-friendly policies, companies’ practical challenges, and discussions with government institutions. Launched in November 2024, the Family Friendly Future Forum (FFFF) is a business-led platform created to address Korea’s demographic shifts — including low birth rates, population ageing, and the resulting pressures on caregiving and workforce retention. Over the past year, the Forum has brought together companies, government representatives, and academic experts to build shared understanding and explore practical ways to advance work–life balance.
ECCK President Stefan Ernst emphasized the significance of this collaborative effort, stating, “Korea’s demographic challenge is an issue that requires engagement from all parts of society, including the business community. Over the past year, the Family Friendly Future Forum has shown that coordinated action can lead to meaningful change. In 2026, we will work with even more companies to advance practical policy improvements and shift social perceptions around family-friendly practices. Over the past year, the Forum has delivered activities across its three core areas—stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and sharing insights. Major initiatives included the policy roundtable on “East Asia’s Demographic Crisis,” hosted on August 11 with support from the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society & Population Policy; the November 28 information session “Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy”; and the Family-Friendly Workplace Survey designed to better understand Korea’s work–life balance landscape.
Drawing on these insights, the FFFF will shift its focus in 2026 toward ensuring that family-friendly policies and data translate into tangible outcomes in the workplace. The Forum has therefore designated 2026 as a “year of implementation,” outlining a set of actions organized around three main pillars. Under the first focus area, Workplace Culture & Practices, FFFF will help member companies strengthen execution so that family-friendly policies are applied fairly and consistently. Initiatives will include cross-company sharing of leading practices and education and engagement campaigns. For the second, Life-stage Support & Benefits, FFFF will work with member companies to expand support across life stages, including fertility and pregnancy, childcare, and eldercare. The Forum will continue to highlight real corporate cases and expand discussions on how companies can develop life-stage-based programs that reflect the needs of diverse family structures and age groups. In the third focus area, Policy & Regulatory Environment, FFFF will strengthen public–private collaboration so that corporate strategies and national population policies are better aligned. The Forum will continue to engage in dialogue with government bodies, public institutions and expert communities, contribute field-based insights and recommendations to the ECCK 2026 White Paper, and present policy proposals and an action roadmap at its annual forum in November.
Co-Chair Christoph Hamann, General Manager of Merck Healthcare Korea, emphasized this transition, noting, “Policies alone are not enough to create real change. In 2026, we will prioritize helping employees fully understand and utilize both public and corporate family-friendly programs, while encouraging a culture where these benefits are experienced more consistently and meaningfully across organizations.” With a year of foundation-building completed, the Family Friendly Future Forum now moves into a new phase focused on execution, measurable progress, and deeper cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Member Companies (alphabetical order): Adecco, Ferring, GSK, International School of Busan (ISB), LHH, Merck, Novartis, Swiss Re, Vandelande Logistics.