On November 10, 2001 concerned citizens and political, community and religious leaders from throughout the world met in Mesa, Arizona to defend this nation by way of its families. Holding to a daring premise - that shoring up the family as the fundamental unit of society is key to addressing the woes of the world - they launched a cohesive program for the promotion of the traditional family.

Nearly 1000 people were educated on the current social and political issues that are jeopardizing family values throughout the world. Speakers included Patrick Fagan of the Heritage Foundation, and Alan Carlson, of the Howard Center, who gave extensive evidence on the radical change in family values throughout the world. Richard Wilkins, of the BYU World Family Policy Center spoke of the opposition to the family at the United Nations and the affect that UN policies have on our domestic policies. Austin Ruse, of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, recounted the many successes that the pro-family movement has seen at the United Nations, and encouraged conference participants to get involved in their local communities.

Sharon Slater, president of United Families International announced the launch of a bold new program called the World Family Alliance, which will unite pro-family individuals and groups in defending the family. The World Family Alliance will facilitate the creation of Local Family Alliances, which will monitor the development of policies in school boards, city councils and state governments. The job of these family alliances will be to make sure that the family is protected as the fundamental unit of society and to make sure that all policies be assessed to ensure that they will not have a negative impact on families.

"The strength of the World Family Alliance will come from the grass roots level as mothers, fathers, grandmothers, brothers and sisters join together to become informed and get involved in defending the family," Sharon Slater said. 'It is time for people to be less concerned about being politically correct and more concerned about being morally correct and standing up for the traditional family values that hold societies together."

Conference attendees learned that no matter what their situation, everyone can do something to protect their communities. A mother with children in school can review her schools sex education curriculum, character programs, and the choice of English literature to be read by students and make sure they are appropriate. Another individual could monitor issues being decided by the local school board and someone else could monitor the town council meetings. At the state level, individuals can find out who their representatives are, what issues are being decided, what other pro-family groups are involved and what is the nature of the opposition.

Leaders from as far away as Latvia and Mexico attended the conference and are committed to starting a Family Alliance in their own countries. Representatives from several different states were also in attendance and left with plans to form Family Alliances in their home states.

"This was truly a historic event," said Janet Justesen from Gilbert, Arizona, " The speakers were informative, the Osmonds and the families that performed were inspiring, and now I feel motivated to do my part to protect families."

Videotapes of the conference can be purchased by going to the United Families International Web-site at www.unitedfamilies.net. For more information about the World Family Alliance or about United Families International call (480) 545-0485.