German minister proposes creating European Alliance for the Family

Brussels, Belgium, Jan 30, 2007 / 09:38 am

During a meeting with the European Parliament’s Family and Infancy Protection Group, Germany’s Minister of Family Affairs, Ursula Von der Leyen, announced she would propose to the European Council the adoption of a European Alliance for the Family.

During the January 23 meeting, Von der Leyen mentioned the demographic changes in Europe, the aging of the population and the economic and social deficit created by this situation.

She said the promotion and support of the family would be one of the top priorities of the German presidency of the rotating European Council.  Von de Leyen added that the reason for the pro-family priority comes from, among other things, the fact that it contributes notably to economic prosperity and social solidarity.

Von der Leyen underscored the importance of children, not only for demographic reasons related to the birthrate but also because of the solidarity and social cohesion that the creation of a family represents.

At the same time, Lola Velarde, president of the European Network of the Institute for Family Policy, expressed the support of her organization for the German proposal.  “We will not only support it, we will actively push it forward,” she said.

Velarde stressed the Alliance would be “a platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas at all levels: the European Council and member states, the Commission, Parliament, sectors of society and civil society.”

She added that the Institute for Family Policy would launch an effort to raise awareness about the idea and to lobby European leaders for their support.