Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brussels (Agenzia Fides) - The European Network of the Institute for Family Policy (IPF) presented a report in the European Parliament, May 7, 2008, at 10:30am, on “The Evolution of the Family in Europe 2008,” coinciding with the celebration of the Day of Europe and the International Day of the Family. Participating in the act were: Mr. Eduardo Hertfelder, President of the International Federation of IPF; Lola Velarde, President of the IPF European Network; Jaime Mayor Oreja, European Deputy for Spain; Miroslav Mikolasik, European Deputy for Slovakia; and Jorge Cesar Das Neves, Council Member of European Policy of the European Commission.
The report was conducted by a team of experts in various fields, from different countries and contains three parts. The first was an analysis of the situation of the family in Europe and its evolution in the past 25 years in aspects such as demographics, birth rate, marriage, and households. The second was an analysis of the evolution of the various different policies that have emerged from the European Commission during this time and a comparative analysis of those applied in different countries within the European Union. As a result of this analysis, comes the third part that consists of a proposal with measures that the IPF considers necessary for the application of an authentic integral family policy and the application of public policies with a family perspective. “In order for European families to continue carrying out this irreplaceable function,” said Lola Velarde, “it is essential that the various organizations, institutions, and social groups support them. There is also a need for the various member countries to incorporate the family dimension into their economic and social policies.”
According to Ms. Velarde’s observations, “although there seems to be a growing interest of the EU for the family and its concerns, as is evident in the recent approval of such documents as the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on “The family and demographic growth", and the Communication of the European Commission: “The demographic future of Europe: from challenge to opportunity,” this form of action is not yet clear enough, however, and as a result of this insufficiency, the family-related problems continue to worsen.”
In fact, the rates of population, birth, marriage, and broken homes have all severely worsened in the past 27 years. The statistics given in the report on “The Evolution of the Family in Europe 2008” are eloquent and conclusive. Europe is immersed in a demographic winter and is now already an old continent - persons over 65 years of age already number 6 million more than youth under the age of 14. In addition, the slow rate of population growth is above all thanks to the immigration that forms 84% of the population growth of the European Union from 2000-2007. Likewise, the birthrate crisis has become serious as less and less children are born (almost a million less births than in 1980) and in addition, there are a million abortions that, along with cancer, constitute the number one cause of death in Europe. Lastly, there is a substantial drop in European marriages as there are lesser marriages and more that are broken - one million divorces a year-and households are becoming more solitary, as well, with 2 out of every 3 European homes are without children.
Facing this situation, the IPF proposes that progress be made in terms of public policies with a “family perspective” in Europe and that an authentic and effective, integral family policy of universal character be established. This would be possible through 4 main plans of action: making the family a political priority; incorporating the “family perspective” into all actions, policies, and programs of the EU; promoting the convergence of national family policies, avoiding discrimination among countries; promote equal opportunity among European families, avoiding discriminations according to number of children, income, etc.
Furthermore, the integral family policy should have a universal character (for all families), promoting the family as an institution, fostering the concept of family and promoting a favorable culture and environment that allows the family to confront day-to-day necessities, helping parents to have the children they would like to have, integrating the various areas of work, family life, and personal life in a truly human and constructive manner, helping to overcome family crises, recognizing the right of parents to educate their children, promoting the active participation of parents and associations and taking into account, through specific measures, the families with special needs. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/5/2008; righe 59, parole 740)
