Background InformationBackground Information

Speakers
The theme of the 3rd member Congress is: "Focusing on the family". A Christian-democrat view on family policy in Europe. The following speakers will address the Congress: Peter Ostman (CD Finland), Kris Vleugels (C’Axent) Leon Meijer (CNV, Dutch Christian Labor Union).

Theme
Over the last decades, the family has been on a lot of pressure by various social and economic developments in Europe. The consequences of this undervaluation have grown more and more visible, for example: the growth of divorces, child abuse and youth problems and the lack of social cohesion in society. These problems are all family related and ask for a re-evaluation and a revitalization of the family in Europe.
In the Christian point of view, the family is the cornerstone of society, therefore Christian political parties should play an important role in bringing the family back in the political spotlight. The family has many virtues that are not (often) mentioned in the political debate.

Family in politics?
A political re-examination of the family is needed. For example, how often do politicians express appreciation to grand parents who look out for their grandchildren because mom and dad are working. When do politicians mention those people who take care of their grand parents themselves instead of putting them in a nursing home?

Also, teachers complain about the lack of values that children have. Some teachers feel that they, because the parents have no time left for their children, have to teach the children moral values. As a result, they do not have much time to do what they were hired for, which is educating the children.

Fortunately, it seems that more and more politicians start to appreciate the family. In various European countries measures have already been taken by (for example) creating a minister of youth and family affairs, like recently in the new Dutch government (where the ChristenUnie provided this minister). In many European countries, the family is valued again. However, there is still a lot to be done in Europe in order to preserve and protect the cornerstone of all European nations.

Besides these issues there will also be discussion on how we should balance family and work and to what extent the government should interfere in families.

The future of Europe lies in the families of all European nations. So, an investment in the family is an investment in the future.

New members and ECPM activities in 2007
During the Congress there will be room to introduce some new member parties of the ECPM. This year the Swiss Evangelical Peoples Party, the Federal Democratic Union party and the Belarusian Christian Democrats have joined the ECPM. During the congress, all attendants will also be informed about ECPM activities throughout Europe. Some have already occurred or some will take place in fall 2007. There will be a report from the ECPM conference in Vilnius and also about the planned conferences in Romania and Moldavia.

The Congress will take place in the Novotel Brussels Airport in Diegem. The location is close to the airport of Brussels.