NEWS & EVENTS

The European anti-family left is outraged by our upcoming Congress in Amsterdam.

The Autonomous Feminist Action calls World Congress of Families a group of “fundamentalistic (sic.) Christians” who “will plead for going back to the Christian traditions of traditional relationship between man and woman (sic).” It describes WCF as anti-feminist, anti-abortion, homophobic and opposed to divorce.

To illustrate its antinatural family message, Feminist Action has posted a menacing drawing of a man and a woman, with a child and a cross between them. There’s a dotted line going through the necks of the couple and a pair of scissors ready to cut off their heads!

Larry Jacobs, Managing Director of the World Congress of Families, responded, “Clearly, the social left is terrified of the Congress bringing a pro-family message to what it considers its turf.”

As for the Congress being composed of “Christian fundamentalistics,” Allan Carlson, WCF International Secretary, is a member of a mainline Protestant church. WCF Communications Director Don Feder is Jewish. Speakers at World Congress of Families V will include the Chief Rabbi of the Netherlands, the President of the Pontifical Council on the Family, a former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, a leader of the LDS church, and the President of the Pakistan Family Forum.

At the time of World Congress of Families IV in Warsaw (2007), more than 100 members of the European Union Parliament signed a letter of support for the Congress, initiated by Anna Zaborska, Chairwoman of the EU Committee for Women’s Rights, and held a joint press conference at the European Parliament in support of World Congress of Families.

Jacobs observed: “All these protest groups know about us is that we believe in the natural family (as defined in the 1948 U.N. Declaration of Human Rights) and the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. We do, and we’re proud of it.”

“But there’s more to the Congress than that. At World Congress of Families V, we’ll be talking about parental rights, home-schooling, preserving marriage, declining birth rates, Internet pornography, combating trafficking in women and children, defending the family at the United Nations and other international forums, and supporting families in the developing world, among other timely issues confronting the family.”

In 2007, The European left mocked us for having WCF IV in Poland, a socially conservative country. We met their challenge by holding World Congress of Families V in the Netherlands, a nation whose family policies are 180 degrees from those of Poland.

Instead of welcoming a debate on the issues, it seems to be intimidated by our presence in the heart of the European Union, and a bastion of its anti-family policies.

Click here to register for World Congress of Families V.

Having a World Congress of Families in August, during a world-wide recession, provides a unique set of challenges.

World Congress of Families V will probably be smaller than the Warsaw Congress, due to a number of factors.

Past Congresses have always been held in the spring or fall. This is our first summer Congress. It comes during a month when most Europeans are on vacation.

Normally, we have 18 months to plan a Congress. World Congress of Families V will be held just 12 months after Amsterdam was selected as the site by the International Selection Committee, which met in late July, 2008.

Besides the fact that people are cutting back on travel during the economic downturn, WCF III (Mexico City) and WCF IV (Warsaw) were coordinated by local organizing committees with substantial activist networks. Usually, two-thirds of participants at a Congress come from the host country. Since the Dutch pro-family movement is in its infancy, that will not be the case in Amsterdam.

Nonetheless, World Congress of Families V will be exciting and a much-anticipated event. Our lineup of speakers and panelists is exceptional. As of mid-July, we already had leaders, activists and scholars from over 50 countries registered for the Amsterdam Congress. We’ll also have more of an African presence in Amsterdam than at past Congresses, due in large part to the Nigeria conference.

And we’ve never had as many inquires from the international media. WCF V will be very well-covered.

All in all, World Congress of Families V will be as rewarding as any of its predecessors, with the challenges and opportunities of having a Congress in Western Europe under a unique set of circumstances.

The “World Congress of Families Dialogue of Civilizations” – held in Abuja, Nigeria, June 4-7 – was an unqualified success with more than 300 attending from Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The conference was organized by the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage.

Speakers at the first WCF event in Africa decried attempts of international agencies and Western aid-givers to force abortion, contraception, smaller families and homosexual “rights” on Africa.

They included Nigerian Senator Osita Izunaso; Theresa Okafor, Foundation for African Cultural Heritage; the Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese; Mr. Nana Yaw Osei-Darkwa, Focus on the Family International, Ghana; Prof. Mark Nwagwu, a cellbiologist at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Professor D.O.S. Noibi, Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of Southwestern Nigeria; Henk Jochemsen of the Dutch development group PRISMA; and Chief Albert Ngwana, National Chairman, Cardinal Democratic Party of Cameroon. A good-will message delivered by a representative of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The World Congress of Families was represented by Communications Director Don Feder, who gave a history of the Congress and also spoke on “Demographic Winter.” The following WCF Partners also spoke at the Conference: Christopher Carmouche (GrassTopsUSA), Sharon Slater (Family Watch International) and George Wirnkar (Human Life International).

Speeches included: “Pornography and the Family,” “Sexual and Reproductive Health,” “A Review of the Plan of Action on the Family in Africa,” “A Christian View on Sexuality and Family,” “Population Decline of the Developed World -- A Lesson for Africa,” “A Plan to Defend the Family at the United Nations,” “The Role of Scholars in Influencing Policies Affecting the Family,” and “The Family Unit and Global Peace.”

Feder noted: “Theresa Okafor, Sen. Izunaso and others of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage did an exceptional job of putting this conference together. I was impressed by the diversity of participants – which included elected officials, academics, physicians, and religious leaders – who are united in support of the natural family.”

Feder also commented: “Several speakers referred to efforts to legalize abortion, normalize homosexuality, and promote condom distribution, as attempts to impose ‘Western values’ on Africa. I reminded them that these are the values of Western elites, and that authentic Western values – based on Judeo-Christian morality – are the very opposite of those promoted by the UN, European Union, etc.”

In its July 13 edition, The Sun, Nigeria’s largest circulation newspaper, provided extensive coverage of the Abuja conference, which it described as “the first pro-family conference in Africa.”

The paper said the conference was “aimed at giving the Nigerian perspective to a troubled world lurching from one moral crisis to another.”

Click here to read The Sun’s coverage of the Abuja Conference.

The “Dialogue of Civilizations” was a prep-con for World Congress of Families V. On behalf of the Foundation for African Cultural, Heritage, Theresa Okafor will deliver a report on Abuja at a plenary session of WCF V.

Click here for the website of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage.

Due to a successful campaign by the Alliance of Romania’s Families (ARF), in May, the Romanian civil code was amended to provide specific protection for marriage and the family.

The changes include defining marriage as the “freely consented to union of a man and a woman established according to the law.” Marriage (so-called) between persons of the same sex are specifically prohibited as is legal recognition of such unions contracted outside Romania. The code also criminalizes euthanasia and assisted suicide. Prostitution and incest remain criminal acts.

WCF International Secretary Allan Carlson hailed the changes. “While some countries are choosing ‘diversity’ over natural law and common sense, Romania is standing firm for marriage and the natural family,” Carlson commented. “We are proud of the leadership role the Alliance of Romania’s Families has played in effecting these necessary changes.” In 2006, the Alliance collected over 650,000 signatures of Romanian voters in support of a defense-of-marriage amendment to Romania’s constitution.

The Congress supported ARF by mobilizing the international pro-family movement. In March 2008, WCF circulated a “Leadership Petition In Support of Romania’s Defense of Marriage,” signed by more than 100 pro-family leaders in over 20 countries.

The petition was endorsed by many of the most prominent pro-family leaders in the United States, as well as others in Canada, Mexico, Italy, Poland, the Ukraine, Latvia, Australia, Pakistan and Chile.

Carlson declared: “This shows the value of forging an international pro-family movement, and highlights the importance of the upcoming World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam (August 10-12).”

Click here for the website of the Alliance of Romania’s Families (in Romanian)

Amsterdam, Netherlands August 10-12, 2009

In terms of the quality of speakers and the importance of topics to be discussed, World Congress of Families V may be our best Congress to date.

Click here to view latest program for the WCF 5, Amsterdam.

The “Pro-Family United Nations Negotiating Guide,” written by Susan Roylance and first published by United Families International in 2001, is now available in an updated and expanded edition.

The Guide is a uniquely powerful tool used by U.N. diplomats, delegates, and NGOs seeking to negotiate language relating to the family at U.N. conferences. Pro-family activists who operate at the United Nations consider it an invaluable resource.

Delegates who support the natural family often find themselves battling new language that contradicts pro-family language previously affirmed at the U.N. In this regard, the Guide is a powerful tool. The Third Edition, published in 2008, has been updated to include documents negotiated in the past decade, with family-supportive language identified, organized, and crossreferenced. Armed with this information, delegates, diplomats and NGOs can ensure that the United Nation maintains its prior commitments, by upholding those values that preserve and strengthen the family.

United Families International – a WCF V Co-Sponsor -- will sponsor a workshop on the use of the “United Nations Negotiating Guide” at the Amsterdam Congress, taught by author Susan Roylance.

To order the Guide, click here.

TABLE of CONTENTS

European Left Outraged by
WCF Presence in Amsterdam

World Congress of Families V
 – Challenges and Opportunities

Nigeria Conference Shows African
Support for Natural Family

Alliance of Romania's Families Achieves Victory for Marriage and the Family

World Congress of Families V Program

United Nations Negotiating Guide
Expanded and Updated

Ginsburg's Comments Demonstrate the Importance of “The Demographic Bomb”

International Women Speakers at WCF V

WCF: Profiles in Leadership

  Join Us In AMSTERDAM:
 10-12 AUGUST 2009

 Thank you to all WCF Co-Sponsors
for your continuing support.

CALENDAR

May 29-30 – Second International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Lansdowne, VA

November 6-7 – Pro- Life World Congress, Saragossa, Spain www.saragoza2009.org

May 24-26, 2010 – Global Summit on the Family, in Moscow (tentative)

This continues our regular feature celebrating the women and men who have contributed to the growing success of the international pro-family movement.

The Managing Director of the World Congress of Families and Vice President of The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society, Larry Jacobs has a diverse background as a manager and executive in business, non-profit organizations, Christian ministries and Fortune 500 companies.

In 2006, he was named a Young Leader by the American Swiss Foundation and invited to speak in Zurich, Switzerland. He was also honored as one of the “Top 40 Leaders Under 40” by the Cincinnati Business Courier in 2003.

As Vice President of the Howard Center (www.profam.org), Larry is responsible for operations, development, and public relations for both The Center and The World Congress of Families.

The Howard Center is an educational non-profit organization that conducts research, publishes books and journals--Family In America and New Research (www.familyinamerica.org)--and advocates ideas to help the natural family. The Center also is an officially registered NGO at the United Nations with consultative status to the Economic and Social Council.

Larry has been the primary international organizer for the last three World Congress of Families (III, VI and V) events, and coordinates activities with WCF partners and contacts in more than 65 countries.

Jacobs has spoken at various events and conferences around the world including World Dialogue of Civilizations (Rhodes, Greece), the Azusa Street Centennial at the LA Convention Center, World Congress of Families III& IV (Mexico City and Warsaw), Watchmen On The Walls Riga Conference, The National Press Club, Family Research Council, Heartbeat International Annual Conference, Illinois Lutherans for Life Conference, and the National Right To Life Annual Meeting. Larry has also appeared on many TV and radio shows, including: Point of View, The Don Kroah Show, American Family Radio, Focus on the Family News, Ave Maria Radio, Catholic Radio, USA Radio Network, and The Bob Dutko Show.

Larry is also the founder and CEO of Jabez Consulting, a nonprofit consulting business that assists crisis-pregnancy centers and non-profits organizations with medical services, Medicaid reimbursement, business strategies, development and community-relationship building.

He is the former President, CEO and Development Director of Healthy Beginnings, a medical practice and health-care ministry that worked with more than 18 pro-life pregnancy centers in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.

Jacobs spent 8 years as a manager at The Procter & Gamble Company, culminating in his position as Manager of Product Safety, Environmental and Public Affairs for new business development in laundry and cleaning products.

He has two Master’s degrees from Yale University, in Economics (M.A.) and Natural Resource Policy (M.F.S.), and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree cum laude, Phi Betta Kappa, in Environmental Science from Allegheny College.

Larry has been married 18 years to his bride and high school sweetheart, Jennifer, who is a Licensed Practical Nurse and full-time homemaker. They have two children, Amanda and Aaron, and live in Rockford, Illinois

Allan Carlson is the Founder and International Secretary of World Congress of Families. He received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Augustana College (1971) and a Ph.D. in Modern European History from The Ohio University (1978).

From 1975-78, Carlson served as Assistant Director, Governmental Affairs Office, Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. In 1977, he was a Visiting Scholar at the Labor Movement Archive in Stockholm and, in 1979, an NEH Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Later that year, he became Assistant to the President and Lecturer in History at Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania). In 1981, Carlson became Executive Vice President of The Rockford Institute (Illinois) and editor of Persuasion at Work. In 1986, he became Institute President and Publisher of Chronicles, The Family in America, and The Religion & Society Report. In 1988, President Reagan appointed him to the National Commission on Children ("The Rockefeller Commission"), where he played a key role in crafting its 1991 "Final Report, Beyond Rhetoric.”

In October, 1997, he created and became President of The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society.

Carlson is the author of ten books. Including: “Family Questions: Reflections on the American Social Crisis,” (Transaction Press, Rutgers University, 1998), “The ‘American Way’: Family and Community in the Shaping of the American Identity” (ISI Books in 2003), “Fractured Generations: Crafting a Family Policy for 21st Century America” (Transaction, 2005), “Conjugal America: On the Public Purposes of Marriage” (Transaction, 2006), and “The Natural Family: A Manifesto”, coauthored with Paul Mero (Spence Publishing, 2007).

He has also written for the Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Los Angeles Times, International Herald-Tribune, Detroit News, Atlanta Journal, and Chicago Tribune.

Carlson has appeared on the PBS News Hour, NPR ("Morning Edition," "All Things Considered," "Talk of the Nation”), Voice of America, ABC, CBS, and NBC News, MSNBC, CNN, C-SPAN (“Booknotes” and “Book TV”),The Family Channel, CBC, BBC World Service, Korean, Australian, Czech and Polish TV, in eight PBS productions on family issues, and on over 700 regional radio and television outlets.

Carlson has testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Family and Human Services, the U.S. Attorney General's Taskforce on Family Violence, The Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces, the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, Swedish, Polish, and Mexican Parliamentarians, and in State and Federal Court.

He has lectured at Colgate University, Moscow Lomonosov University, City-University (Sweden), Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Grove City College, Hillsdale College, University of Wisconsin, The North American College (the Vatican), Wabash College, Hastings College, Brigham Young University, Georgetown University, The Swedish Employers Federation, The Children's Defense Fund, The Kellogg Foundation, the North American Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, The Australian Family Association, The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and The Civic Institute (Czech Republic).

Allan Carlson is married and the father of four children.

Thank You !