The breakdown of the family unit is to come under the spotlight of the Sustainable Development Roundtable (SDRT).

The group believes the family is an important part of the Island's sustainability, affecting the level of crime, and the health of the economy. Martha Dismont, executive director of The Family Centre and chair of the SDRT subcommittee on strengthening families said: "Our community is at a delicate point today. "To reverse negative trends in our society, we must make cultural and systematic changes to policies, programmes and practices to deliberately strengthen families and influence outcomes for future generations."

The group believes that the level of family support received by young people is directly related to issues such as academic achievement, employment and anti-social behaviour.

On average there have been 217 divorces every year since 1991 according to the Department of Statistics, and the number of 'at risk' children has risen by ten percent in the past three years.

"Our concern is that the breakdown of the family structure has widespread implications, not only for social solidarity, but also for our economy," said Mrs. Dismont.

The SDRT will hold a forum to get input from the community. The information they receive will be given to Government for the development of future social policies.

Mrs. Dismont said: "We want to use this event to explore how a sense of family can offer individuals quality of life and help them to play a meaningful role in our society and how that sense of family can be achieved despite the related challenges. To address these challenges, the community as a whole must be willing to collectively place more value on family."

The forum will be held at the New Testament Church of God on Dundonald Street tomorrow between 5.30 p.m. and 8 p.m.