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The article presents information about an international seminar organized by the Australian Institute of Family Studies in October 2004 on parental leave in Brussels. Principal research fellow, Michael Alexander, represented the seminar. The seminar was jointly hosted by the Thomas Corum Research Unit and the Centre for Population and Family Studies in Brussels. The purpose of the seminar was to exchange information on recent policy developments and research, explore a particular theme with respect to parental leave, particularly the issue of diversity and how successful parental leave policies are in dealing with the diversity of family types and personal circumstances and establish a more regular network of researchers on family leave policies, research and practice. The seminar considered the substantial variation that exists between countries with respect to parental leave policies, as well the major developments that had occurred in each country since 1999. The seminar resolved to bring out a working paper that summarizes the parental leave arrangements in each country, to meet again in 12 months time to discuss further developments and publish a book detailing the important research in this area.