A SHORT HISTORY OF THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAMILIES   

A report by Allan C. Carlson, International Secretary, World Congress of Families

The idea for the World Congress of Families first surfaced on a chilly January night in 1995 in the Moscow apartment of Russian artist and Orthodox layman Ivan Schevchenko.

 I was visiting Russia at the invitation of sociologists at Moscow Lomonosov State University, who were trying to respond to the unraveling of family life in wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Tumbling marriage and birth rates and soaring divorce and death rates were unexpected legacies of the demise of communism.

To understand why, and to compare family trends in the East and the West, the first Congress convened in Prague, in the Czech Republic, in March 1997. About 700 scholars, journalists, and pro-family leaders attended.

Concern over another development surfaced at the Prague event: the recent turn of the United Nations toward the making of family policy. U.N. conferences in Cairo, Beijing, Istanbul, and Copenhagen had focused on promoting abortion rights and the deconstruction of natural families in favor of feminist and Malthusian/population-control goals.

This situation led to the convening in November 1999 of the World Congress of Families II in Geneva, Switzerland. This time, the World Family Policy Center joined The Howard Center as a co-sponsor. Over 1,600 pro-family leaders, scholars, and parliamentarians took part in the Geneva Congress.

The Opening Session convened in The Palace of the Nations, where the Congress reaffirmed (in the words of the U.N.’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights) that “the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the state.” Inspired by the Geneva Congress, six Mexican business leaders returned home to create The “Family Network,” an alliance of over 140 pro-family groups in Mexico. Representing nine million people, this organization’s leaders joined The Howard Center to host The World Congress of Families III in Mexico City, in March 2004. The primary focus of the Mexico City Congress was the natural family as the driving force in authentic economic and social development. Over 3,300 were in attendance.

We then turned to Poland. Meeting in 2005, our International Planning Committee resolved that: “Europe is almost lost; to the demographic winter and to the secularists. If Europe goes, much of the world will go with it. Almost alone, Poland has maintained strong faith and strong families, though even Poland comes under severe pressure to change. … On family and population questions, Europe is the battleground in the early years of the 21st Century, and Poland is the pivot point. We believe that it makes abundant sense that The World Congress of Families IV meet among the brave people of Poland.”

We were encouraged by the presence of a strongly pro-life and pro-family government in Poland. And we were inspired by the example of Archbishop Kasimierz Majdanski, who overcame both the Nazis and the Communists to co-found, in 1976, the Institute for Studies on the Family, in Lomianski.

We were honored by the special blessing he gave to the Congress; and we were saddened by his death only a few weeks before it convened.

Looking back on the Warsaw Congress after the passage of a month, I remain delighted by the overflow crowd approaching 4,000, by the small army of capable youth volunteers, and by the palpable energy of the event. I hope that the knowledge gained, the new alliances made, and the inspiration felt will lead to a Springtime of Nations.

THE PROGRAM  

Scholars, authors, activists and office holders all made their voices heard at World Congress of Families IV. They included Roman Giertych (Deputy Prime Minister and Polish Minister of Education), Marek Jurek (speaker of the Sejm–Poland’s parliament), Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey (Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration), Margaret Ogola (executive secretary, Kenya Episcopal Conference), Carlo Casini (member of the European Parliament), Inese Slesere (member of the Latvian Parliament), Christine de Vollmer (president of the Latin American Alliance for the Family), Catherine Vierling (general secretary, European Forum for Human Rights), Dana Rosemary Scalon (former MP, European Parliament), Paul Mero (Sutherland Institute), Marie-Claire Hernandez (Family and Society, Mexico), Angela Conway (Australian Family Association), Gwen Landolt (Real Women of Canada), Ted Baehr (Christian Film and Television Commission) and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer (Human Life International), Patrick Kelly (Knights of Columbus), Anatoly Antonov (Lomonossov University, Moscow), Nigel Cameron (Center for Bioethics and Public Policy, United Kingdom), Janice Crouse (Beverly LaHaye Institute of Concerned Women For America), Farooq Hassan (Barrister at Law, Pakistan), Paige Patterson (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) and Austin Ruse (Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute)

There were letters of support from Polish President Lech Kaczynski, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo (president of the Pontifical Council on the Family) and Mexican First Lady Margarita Zabala Gomez Del Campo.

Break-out sessions included: “Media and The Natural Family,” “Pro-Family Initiatives,” “Marriage As a Social Good–Why Get Married,” “The Attack On Traditional Marriage,” “Impact of Pornography on the Family,” “Hollywood And the Family,” “Promoting And Protecting The Large Family,” “Bioethics–21st Century Challenge to Human Dignity,” “Beyond the Contraceptive Mentality,” “Legalized Euthanasia or Family Care” and “Faith and Family.”

For most of the plenary sessions, the 3,000-seat Congress Hall was filled to capacity. In fact, on line registration was closed two days before the event because maximum capacity had been reached. Audience participation in the break-out sessions reflected a high level of enthusiasm.

On Saturday,May12,aspecial Inter-parliamentary Forum was held at Warsaw’s Family Institute. Participants included MPs from Europe, as well as members of the Polish parliament. Participants discussed strategies for implementing pro-family and pro-natalist policies.

Additionally, the Virginia-based Leadership Institute held a student training session covering communications and political activism for 190 participants, including many Polish university students.

On Sunday morning, Latin American delegates met separately to discuss the implementation of a common pro-family strategy for their region.

Between sessions, delegates had an opportunity to browse the more than 50 exhibits (in a filled-to capacity hall) operated by pro-family groups from Poland, Mexico, Italy, the United States and other nations.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF WCF IV  

Media coverage of Warsaw 2007 was nothing short of spectacular, including a BBC interview with Allan Carlson, an Associated Press story, coverage on Fox News and stories in The Los Angeles Times, Houston Chronicle, The Washington Post, New York Post, Newsday, Deseret News, The Guardian, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Denver Post, Forth Worth Star Telegram, Seattle Post Intelligencer, International Herald Tribune, WorldNetDaily, The Washington Times, The Baltimore Sun, Focus on The Family News, American Family Radio, and Associated Baptist Press.

There was saturation coverage in the Polish media. A Google search on the first day of the Congress found over 140 significant news stories on WCF IV worldwide. Here are a few examples:

“Many prominent U.S. conservative groups are shifting their attention overseas this week, organizing a conference in Poland that will decry Europe’s liberal social policies and portray the host nation as a valiant holdout bucking those trends.” The Associated Press

“Group Emphasizes ‘Marriage is good for Society’… It’s a simple statement but one, in today’s world, that needs defending. That’s why the 3,000 attendees from more than 60 countries at the World Congress of Families are hearing that message again and again.” Family News In Focus

“In the late 1960s, warnings of a ‘population’ bomb that would doom Earth’s inhabitants spawned movements of fervent activists prone to wag a finger at strolling couples with multiple offspring in tow. Nearly 40 years later, crunching the demographic numbers reveals a looming catastrophe – but of the completely opposite kind, some contend. The conveners of a major world gathering commencing today in the Polish capital argue Europe – the progenitor of Western civilization – is on a steep population decline that will make the continent increasingly hard to recognize in the coming decades.” WorldNetDaily

“WCF organizers, including founder Allan Carlson, president of the Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society, view the ‘natural family’ – husband, wife and children – as the universal template, with other social influences and family forms either helping or harming it. The 3,000 expected pro-family leaders, activists, scholars and political leaders will hear about marital fidelity, abortion, pornography, cohabitating, work and religion. Session topics include ‘Children as Treasures: Welcoming More Babies and Larger Families,’ ‘The Mother in the Home and the New Home Economics’ and ‘The Attack on Marriage as the Union of Woman and Man.’” The Washington Times

“The World Congress of Families IV ended Sunday with delegates approving a declaration intended for international policymakers at the United Nations and elsewhere. The declaration calls on governing and political bodies to mainstream the family in public policy issues.” Deseret Morning News

VOICES OF WORLD CONGRESS OF FAMILIES IV   

Delegates offered insights into the proceeding and what World Congress of Families IV meant to them.

“Everyone here from all over the world recognizes the necessity of protecting the family as the cornerstone of civilization. Without the family, you have nothing.” Christine Carmouche, independent entrepreneur from Washington, D.C.

“The Church has many family congresses, but this is one of the few that brings together people of many faiths and cultures under one banner – the family. This Congress is one of people who believe in the family – mom, dad, and kids. You might say, we are the family who believes in the family.” Father Bennett Tierney, native of Limerick, Ireland

“I came to the Congress because I wanted to get an insight to start something new to help the family. The Congress showed me how active the pro-family scene is. I thought it was dead. The family is the basic, fundamental of the whole society. It’s the foundation for happiness and fulfillment – your personal identity.” Johannes Humpert, student of international business at Vienna University of Economics and Business

“As a volunteer, I was impressed by the huge contributions of the participants, their willingness to share experiences and pass on the knowledge they have. Instead of coming here just to talk, they are looking for real solutions.” Jakub Kubica, student at Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland

“I think the Congress is very important because it brings together people with a common ap proach to family issues. The Congress provides knowledge – up-todate knowledge – of current family issues. The speakers are fabulous. Each of them was unique.” James Mbui Maina, Kenya, soon-to-be candidate for the Kenyan Parliament

“When I go back to my campus in the fall, I’ll be better prepared to confront abortion advocates and students whose lifestyles aren’t preparing them for a healthy marriage and family life.” Andrea Summers, student at Arizona State University

“We thank you for all the work you are doing for the protection of families of the world,” from a Declaration of the Nordic Committee for Human Rights for Protection of Family Rights in the Nordic Countries

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE  

With World Congress of Families IV – our most successful Congress to date – now behind us, we can look to the future with strategic vision and excitement.

Delegates left Warsaw determined to maintain the momentum of the largest, international pro-family gathering. At a number of side meetings, leaders from around the world pledged to continue networking and working together to counter anti-family initiatives in the European Union, United Nations and other international forums.

Among the projects currently being planned or considered are:

An Electronic Newsletter – This would be published monthly or twice monthly. The e-newsletter will allow the World Congress of Families leadership to maintain communications with pro-family leaders, activists, scholars and officials worldwide. The publication (which will be launched this summer) will contain news of upcoming WCF events, commentary on issues relevant to the family, book reviews, and links to research reports and scholarly papers

Press Releases – From the months preceding the Congress through Warsaw, the World Congress of Families issued over 50 press releases and media advisories on developments affecting the family in the United States, Europe, Mexico and elsewhere. According to Google.com, over 150 significant news articles were published on the World Congress of Families in May. We will continue to make our voice heard in the media through regular press releases.

Regional Meetings – Our goal is to promote pro-family education and activism in Europe, Latin America, North America and Africa. Allan Carlson has been invited to address members of the Parliament of Latvia this fall. Preliminary interest has been expressed in having forums in Slovakia, Canada, Ireland and Mexico.

A Vehicle For On-Going Involvement of Co-Sponsors – We are creating a partnership vehicle through which our WCF IV co-sponsors can be involved with the Congress on an on-going basis. Our 45 cosponsors added immeasurably to the success of Warsaw 2007.

World Congress of Families V

In the next few months, a special session will be held to develop a strategic vision, operating structure and process for selecting a site for World Congress of Families V. We invite you to submit suggestions or written proposals to Larry Jacobs (Global Coordinator of the World Congress of Families) larry@profam.org.

ANTI-FAMILY FORCES REACT TO WORLD CONGRESS OF FAMILIES IV   

If you can gauge an organization’s effectiveness by the response of its opponents, World Congress of Families is becoming a formidable force in the fight to preserve the natural family. Here are a few reactions from the other side.

“The weekend’s The World Congress of Families in Poland will be a veritable who’s who of homo-haters.” on “Queerfeed: The Gay News Wire”

“It’s a jamboree for people who very often find themselves outside the mainstream. They’re living the fantasy for a couple of days of what the world would be like if their ideas prevailed.” Jon O’Brien of Catholics for Free Choice

The World Congresses of Family’s “objective is to reverse progressive social initiatives on reproductive rights, gay rights and population issues, particularly those negotiated at the United Nations.” Ms Magazine

Allan Carlson is a “rightwing, ‘family-values’ ideologue,” while the World Congress of Families “inveighs against abortion, same-sex marriage and secularism.” Katha Pollitt in The Nation

“Rallying around the homophobic flagpole, World Congress participants cheered at the news that the Polish government would not be cowed by the European Union, which has warned Poland that its anti-gay policies might cost the country its voting rights.” “Exporting Hate,” in Lavender Magazine

WCF is “the most important manifestation to date of this new form of inter-doctrinal collaboration based on deeply conservative values which unite the most reactionary believers of different faiths.” The Guardian

“There’s also been an attempt to create an International Religious Right (through) the World Congress of Families, which is a group that brings together fundamentalists of different religions to form a common front against secularism and liberalism.” Michelle Goldberg (author of “Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism”) interviewed on secular humanism.org

LEFTISTS IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ATTACK WCF IV  

 In a March 28th letter, 19 Members of the European Parliament urged Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey— Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration — to withdraw from World Congress of Families IV. (Sauerbrey spoke on May 11, on “Promoting Strong Families As A Foreign Policy Goal”)

In their letter, the MEPs charged that some involved in the Congress have “extremist and intolerant views,” including “prejudiced attitudes toward foreigners, people from other religions, homosexuals, and the inclusive vision of what represents a family unit that has been developed by the United Nations and European Union.”

Among those singled out for censure were Steven Mosher of the Population Research Institute (for speaking of the “demographic destruction” of Europe) and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer of Human Life International.

The letter also attacked Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, for allegedly making “dangerous and unscientific statements about condom use to prevent HIV and AIDS.

“The arrogance of this letter is staggering,” said Allan Carlson, International Secretary of the World Congress of Families.

“Besides attacking the head of the Pontifical Council on the Family, a group of European politicians have empowered themselves as the ultimate authorities on hotly debated scientific issues.”

The letter also urged Sauerbrey to boycott the Congress because Polish President Lech Kaczynski (honorary patron of WCF IV) had denied permits for gay pride parades when he was mayor of Warsaw.

Carlson (who called the letter “an act of desperation”) observed: “On one point, the MEPs are correct: Our concept of the family differs markedly from their own. Ours is millennia-old, based on tradition and faith, and proven to work. Their vision leads to social dissolution, demographic decline, a failure to socialize the young, and a lack of hope in the future. No wonder they dread an open hearing for our ideas.”