EUROPE/ITALY - Rome Declaration on Family Rights to be presented to the United Nations: Family is a factor of “social balance and economic development”

Rome (Fides Service) - At the end of the 17th International Congress on the “Family Rights and Responsibilities”, organised in Rome by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), representatives of 100 NGOs signed the Rome Declaration on Family Rights. The Declaration, the product of careful reflection on family problems all over the world, will be presented to the United Nations Organisation to demand more protection and assistance in the face of so many forms of discrimination against the family, mothers and fathers and discrimination against large families.
The 100 NGOs appeal to governments world wide to adopt “responsible family policies” that guarantee the stability of the family, and the family’s right to a home and free access to education. Experts in family management and development say it is vitally important for institutions and companies to adopt measures that favour the conciliation work/family. It is a matter of protecting the rights of parents to devote time to their children in view of building family stability and unity and also guaranteeing renewed support for parenthood formation initiatives.
The Congress “Family Rights and Duties” (Rome, 23 and 24 March) was organised by International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), present in 44 countries to promote activities of formation to support married couples, parenthood and promotion and development of the family. The IFFD has UN Special Consultative status. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/3/2007; righe 19, parole 255)