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Stellar Speakers Headline
London Regional Congress
  In conjunction with the Family Values Committee, World Congress of Families held
its first Regional Congress in the United Kingdom in London, June 2- 3, at the
historic Baden- Powell House
Speakers covered such diverse and timely topics as pornography, demographics,
the growing persecution of Christians in Britain, attacks on the family at the
United Nations, the sanctity of life, the psychological causes of homosexuality,
the fight against sex education in the U.K., educating for values and
responsibility, and the African perspective on motherhood.
 Christine Vollmer gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the Congress and also
spoke on “Educating for Strong Families.” Janice Crouse asked: “Is There Hope
for Marriage and Families in the 21st. Century?” Both are members of the World
Congress of Families Management Committee.
Chris Carmouche, a WCF Partner, spoke on the devastating impact of
pornography. (His remarks are excerpted on page 6) Andrew Hernandez (son of
Jesus and Marie-Clare, longtime WCF leaders in Mexico) gave a presentation on
sexual responsibility that involved humor and magic. WCF Communications Director
Don Feder discussed declining birthrates.
Speakers also included Dr. Farooq Hassan, Paul Diamond (a barrister with the
Christian Legal Centre), John Smeaton
 of the Society for the Protection of
Unborn Children (profiled in this issue on page 5), Theresa Okafor (organizer of
the Abuja Conference), Edmund Adamus with the Catholic Diocese of Westminster,
Sharon Slater (Family Watch International), Stephen Green (Christian Voice
U.K.), and Amy King with Front Page Campaign, as well as Buddhist and Muslim
spokesmen.
World Congress of Families presented Defender of the Natural Family Awards to
David Eaton and Vanessa Theed with the Family Values Committee. The Committee is
already planning next year’s conference.
For more information, visit www.familyvalues.org |
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2nd Annual Riga Family Forum – Making Waves on the Shores of
the Baltic
 The Second Annual Riga Family Forum took place at Riga City Hall, in Latvia’s
capital, on May 14, 2010. The theme of the Forum, which was also a WCF Regional
Congress, was “The Natural Family as a Value and State’s Priority.”
Speakers included: Dr. Catherine Vierling (the founder and former General
Secretary of the European Forum for Human Rights and Family), Christopher
Carmouche (Executive Director of GrassTopsUSA, a World Congress of Families
Partner), Theresa Creel, (Presiding Officer Steering Group - Human Dignity
Institute European Parliament), Vavzinecs Kovalsky, (Polish Ministry of
Education, Scientific Specialist on the Quality of Education Board Regarding The
Family), and Galina Maslenikova, (family psychotherapist, Manager of the Family
Center in Moscow) speaking on “Marriage and Family as The Foundation for A
Nation’s Survival.”
Particularly important for Latvians was the presentation by Dr. Gints Lapins,
who recently announced that physicians at the hospital where he heads the
department of gynecology will no longer perform abortions. This is a first in
Latvia and for a post- Soviet state, where abortion was once the only form of
birth control. It is hoped that this courageous decision will encourage all
gynecologists to say no to abortions.
This year’s Forum focused on the following areas: 1) Marriage and Family –
“Family Based on Marriage – the Best Environment for Child Development,” 2)
Education and Health – “The Role of Education in Family Welfare” and; 3) Family
Politics – “Poverty and Social Exclusion and their Effects on the Demographics
of the Family and the Nation.”
 There was special interest in the presentation of Vavzinecs Kovalsky, who
discussed Poland’s Family Education Program, which is used instead of
propagandistic “sex-education” in the country’s public schools and is now being
translated into Latvian.
The Riga Family Forum was held in conjunction with the International Day of
the Family which is celebrated in Latvia on May 15. Next year’s forum is being
planned for two days – Thursday, May 12, and Friday, May 13, 2011. Languages of
the forum are English and Latvian.
For more information contact Gunta Irbe, Forum Coordinator, by clicking here. |
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August 9-12 – Allan Carlson speaking tour of Australia. For more information,
contact John Barich at
afawa@msg.com
September (date TBA)
– WCF Regional Meeting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
September 17-19 – Values Voter Summit, Washington, D.C., sponsored by Family
Research Council.
Click here for more information.
November 5-7 – Human Life International Asia- Pacific Conference in Manila,
The Philippines. For more information, contact Joe Meaney at
jmeaney@hli.org
November 23-25 –WCF Regional Congress, Family As A Value in Religion,
Tradition and Modernity Conference in Istanbul, Co-Sponsored by the Journalists
and Writers Foundation. Allan Carlson will be a keynote speaker. For more
information, contact Larry Jacobs at
larry@profam.org |
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WCF
Communications Director’s Australia Trip
 WCF Communications Director Don Feder visited Australia, May 7-14, speaking in
Sydney and Melbourne.
On May 11, Feder met with organizations that could comprise a bid committee
for WCF VII or a Regional Congress in Sydney. The 15 groups represented at the
meeting included the Australian Family Association, Life & Family Center of the
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Family Voice Australia, New South Wales Right to
Life, the LDS Church Family Ministries, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Family
International Australia, Australian Christian Lobby, Focus on the Family
Australia, Institute for Judaism and Civilization and the Anglican Archdiocese
of Sydney. The meeting was held in the boardroom of Business Events Sydney.
Participants were enthusiastic about bringing a Congress event to Sydney but
decided to begin cautiously with a declaration (like the Manhattan Declaration)
to see how well the coalition can work together and what support it can
generate.
Feder spoke to a group of about 100 students and faculty at Warrane College –
a Catholic institution which is part of the University of New South Wales. He
also addressed the Life Coalition (a monthly meeting of pro-life groups) and the
Endeavour Forum.
The WCF Communications Director participated in a press conference in the
building of the Victoria State Parliament. This was arranged by Peter Kavanagh,
a pro-family state senator. He also met with Peter Westmore, President of the
National Civic Council, David Perrin (National Chairman of the Australian Family
Association), Michael Casey (Secretary to Cardinal George Pell), Chris Meaney
(Director, Life, Marriage and Family Centre of the Catholic Archdiocese of
Sydney) and MP Kevin Andrews, Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human
Services (profiled in the April/May World Congress of Families News).
Feder’s speeches generated coverage by Miranda Devine in The Sydney Morning
Herald and Celeste Badman in Kairos Catholic Journal.
Feder’s schedule in both Sydney and Melbourne was arranged by Babette Francis
(National and Overseas Coordinator of Endeavour Forum) and Mary- Louise Fowler
(National Vice President, Australian Family Association). The Congress is
exceedingly grateful for their support.
World Congress of Families Founder and International Secretary Dr. Allan
Carlson will be on a speaking tour of Australia, August 7-16, sponsored in part
by the Australian Family Association.
Click here for story in Kairos Catholic Journal |
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Warsaw-- 5th Annual March For Life And The Family
On Sunday, May 30, The Fifth Annual March for Life and The Family took place in
Warsaw. With the slogan: “A Family Friendly State,” more than 6,000
participated. Marchers included many families with young children, prolife
activists and representatives of Christian and social groups from across Poland.
Organizations represented included Associations for the Defense of Tradition,
Family and Property from Brazil, the United States, Germany, Portugal and
France. Marchers proclaimed that the family is indeed the foundation of society.
The march ended with a family picnic, sponsored by Slawomir Olejniczak,
president of the Father Peter Skarga Institute, a World Congress of Families
Partner.
Olejniczak observed: “We should have no illusions that Poland will survive as
a nation to the end of the 21st century, if the family, the foundation of a
nation’s identity, is undermined. The family is threatened by a culture of
death.” He noted that state institutions, which, in the face of these threats,
should support the family, are often in the service of its enemies. “This may be
seen in two regards – on the one hand on-going attempts to interfere with
childrearing and – on the other – there are economic policies that penalize the
family,” said the Institute’s President.
Olejniczak reminded marchers that despite the opposition of pro-family
groups, the Polish Senate recently passed a law identifying the natural family
as a source of violence against children. He cautioned activists not to expect
support from the current government. Therefore, public pressure should be
brought to bear by educating for family values through the media. The March for
Life and Family passed through the streets of The Nowy Swiat and The Krakowskie
Przedmiescie to the Church of St. Anne. In a colorful and joyful procession,
several thousand participated with banners, flags and balloons.
The picnic included stalls promoting voluntarism, charitable foundations,
pro-life and profamily organizations and crafts. There was also a concert
performed by an orchestra from Czestochowa.
The March was organized by the Foundation Committee of the National Day
Celebrations of Life and the Father Peter Skarga Institute. |
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13th
Annual Canadian National March for Life In Ottawa
The 13th Annual Canadian National March for Life, and related events, took place
from May 12 to 14 in Ottawa, Canada’s national capital.
The three-day program included many Catholic masses and prayer services.
There was also a May 12 candlelight procession and vigil, attended by over 500,
at Ottawa’s human rights monument.
On Thursday May 13, a rally, followed by a march through the downtown streets
of Ottawa, drew a record 12,500 participants. Many were young people who infused
the crowd with their energy.
A small group of a few dozen counter-protestors used the opportunity to shout
their rage at marchers’ attempt to challenge the concept of a “woman's right to
choose.” For the most part, it was a beautiful day on which to make Canadians
aware that "Abortion is a crime against humanity" (this year's theme).
Twenty-two politicians gave their encouragement, as did many prominent clergy.
At a Friday youth conference, young people were inspired through talks by
Melissa Ohden, an abortion survivor, and Lila Rose, president of Live Action.
Click here for Campaign Life Coalition of Canada
Click here for The Father Peter Skarga Institute |
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Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Successful Push-Back Seattle Seminar
 The US/Canada Push Back Seminar in Seattle was a huge success. The theme –
“Celebrating Our Success - Moving to the Future” emphasized how groups like the
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition have achieved unexpected victories in Canada and
New Hampshire, and how these successes can be translated into future wins in
Montana, Idaho and Washington State. (In April, a legalization bill was defeated
in the Canadian Parliament by a 228 to 59 vote.)
Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition discussed the
importance of establishing and maintaining a focused strategy. Schadenberg noted
there’s a need for an American group which will work on the political front to
counter euthanasia and assisted suicide campaigns. He also explained why an
effective anti-euthanasia coalition must represent different political
perspectives.
Dr Charles Bentz of Physicians for Compassionate Care said antieuthanasia
forces need to build their base of support and identify physicians and others
who are willing to work together to oppose assisted suicide. He mentioned a
tragic case in which he referred a patient to an oncologist without knowing that
the doctor would prescribe assisted suicide to his patient, who was experiencing
significant depression and subsequently died due to the oncologist’s advice.
Marilyn Golden, with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
gave an excellent presentation on the concerns of the disability rights
community with Oregon’s assisted suicide statute. Golden exposed the Oregon
statute, pointing out how safeguards at best are illusory.
Matt Bowman explained how the Montana court decision did not legalize
assisted suicide, but rather created a narrow defense for a physician who is
prosecuted. Bowman also made a few suggestions about how to move to reverse the
Montana (Baxter) decision.
Margaret Dore discussed the recent successes in Canada and New Hampshire and
showed how issues like elder abuse are effective in shattering the illusion of
choice regarding both euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Brian Johnston, author of the book and video “Death as a Salesman,” spoke
about the current situation and its development over time. Johnston discussed
the earliest cases in the United States and explained how they were
misinterpreted and used by the euthanasia lobby to promote its agenda.
For more information on the Push Back Conference and the Euthanasia
Prevention Coalition, a World Congress of Families Partner, click here. |
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Americans For Truth
About Homosexuality Training School
 Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH), a World Congress of Families
Partner, will conduct a rigorous three-day training program for leaders and
activists, August 5-7, at its headquarters in Carol Stream, IL., just outside
Chicago.
Instruction will focus on preparing the next generation of young leaders to
counter disinformation by the “gay rights” movement.
 Instructors will include leading profamily experts on homosexuality,
including scholars, authors and leaders. Tentatively, they include: Robert
Knight (Coral Ridge Ministries), Peter LaBarbera (AFTAH), Ryan Sorba (Young
Conservatives of California), Professor Robert Gagnon (Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary), Prof. Rena Lindevaldsen (Liberty University Law School), Matt Barber
(Liberty Counsel), Laurie Higgins (Illinois Family Institute) and Greg Quinlan
(Parents and Friends of Ex- Gays and Gays).
Registration is limited to those with a serious interest in this aspect of
the culture war and who share AFTAH’s perspective. Registration is $99 for
students (14-25) and $199 for those over 25 years of age.
Click here for more
information or call the AFTAH headquarters at 630-717-7631, or write
americansfortruth@gmail.com
Click here for information on underwriting a youth
scholarship.
Americans for Truth About Homosexuality
(www.aftah.org) was profiled in the
April-May World Congress of Families News.
Click here for the issue and story. |
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Violence Against Kenyans Opposing Pro-Abortion Constitution
The campaign to legalize abortion in Kenya took a deadly turn on June 13, when
two explosions killed Pro-life Kenyans at a rally against a proposed
constitution. Another 75 were injured.
In August, Kenyans will go to the polls to vote on a new constitution, passed
by its parliament on April 1.
While ostensibly recognizing a right to life beginning at conception (a
position overwhelmingly endorsed by Kenyans), Section 27 of the draft
constitution allows abortion when, in the “opinion of a trained health
professional (which could include nurses, paramedics and other health-care
providers) there is a need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the
mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.”
This is a carte blanche for abortion on demand. Almost anything can be
considered a danger to the mother’s health, including her mental state. That’s
why abortion proponents always try to include a mother’s health exception to
laws restricting abortion in the United States. A newspaper poll in March showed
69% of Kenyans are opposed to legalizing abortion. But in a recent poll, 57% of
citizens said they intend to vote for the new Constitution, while only 19% said
they’ll vote against it. This could be reversed if pro-life forces can succeed
in educating voters on the reality of Section 27.
This makes recent violence all the more ominous. A statement issued by the
National Council of Churches of Kenya and 14 other churches and groups (all
opposed to the draft constitution) suggests that Kenya’s government, which is
behind the constitution, was involved “either directly or indirectly” in the
explosions.
On another front, a group of Congressmen is seeking an investigation to
determine if the Obama administration violated federal law by reportedly
funneling $10 million to U.S. groups pushing the Kenyan Constitution.
World Congress of Families pledges to support those forces fighting for the
unborn in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.
Click here for the latest news from Kenya4life. |
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The Scope and Detrimental Effects of Pornography Worldwide
The following are excerpts from the speech of Christopher Carmouch to the Family
Values Conference/WCF Regional Congress in London (June 2-3)
“According to the
Internet Filter Review, worldwide pornography revenue in 2006 was USD $97.06
billion.”
♦ “Per the Internet Filter Review, every second of every day in 2006,
$3,075.64 was spent on pornography and 28,258 Internet users viewed pornography.
Furthermore, 12% of all websites were pornographic websites.
♦ Per Audiovisual Magazine, in 2005, hardcore video rentals increased from 75
million annually in 1985 to 490 million in 1992, and to 665 million in 1996. By
1978, 100 hard-core films were released. By 1996, 8,000 hard-core films were
released. By 2002, 11,300 hard-core films were released, compared with only 470
Hollywood feature films released that year.
♦ And lastly, child pornography reports to CyberTipline, a congressionally
mandated mechanism for monitoring child sexual exploitation, jumped from 3,267
tips in 1998 to 106,199 tips in 2004.”
♦ “Shere Hite found that of the men who read pornographic magazines, 67%
admitted that they had wanted to rape a woman while only 19% said that they had
never wanted to rape a woman
♦ According to a report by Edward Donnerstein [Donnerstein, Edward.
Unpublished Transcript Of Testimony to the Public Hearings on Ordinances to Add
Pornography as Discrimination Against Women. Committee on Government Operations.
City Council. Minneapolis, MN, pp. 4-12.], over 25% of male college students
selected at random admitted that there was some likelihood they would rape a
woman if they could be assured of getting away with it. The proportion of
potential rapists increased to 57% after the young men were exposed to sexually
violent images, especially those of women shown as enjoying being raped.
♦ According to Jean Rosenberg [Rosenberg, Jean. 1989. Two New Books on
Pornography Effects. (2) Sexual Assault Report, p. 31.], 65% of rapists in one
study used pornography and often mimicked it in their crimes.
♦ Per The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education at the University of
Minnesota; Two-thirds (67%) of offenders who committed any type of Internet sex
crimes against minors possessed child pornography.
♦ The FBI reports that the most common interest among serial killers is
hardcore pornography.
♦ And according to one of the most extensive and exhaustive sex studies ever
conducted, by William Marshall, “Report on the Use of Pornography by Sexual
Offenders,” Report to the Federal Department of Justice, Ottawa, Canada, 1983 -
87 percent of child molesters studied were regular consumers of hardcore
pornography.
♦ Marshall also found that, in a study of outpatient sex offenders treated
over a six-year period, one-third reported they had used pornography immediately
before at least one of their crimes.”
♦“ Austin, TX - 1986 - in four study areas with sexually orientated
businesses, sexually related crimes were 177% to 482% higher than the city’s
average.”
♦“ Phoenix, AZ - 1978 - Sex offenses, including indecent exposure, were 506%
greater in neighborhoods with sexually orientated businesses. [National Law
Center for Children and Families (1997). NLC summary of “SOB land use”
studies.]”
♦ “Oklahoma City: During the years 1984 to 1989, Oklahoma City closed 150 out
of 163 sexually oriented businesses. During the same period, reported rapes
declined 27% in Oklahoma City while rising 19% in the remainder of the state.
Law officers were aware of no other likely cause of the difference.”
♦ “Various studies by a researcher, John Court, led him to the following
conclusion of what happens on a national level when constraints against the
distribution of pornography are lifted: ‘As the constraints on the availability
of pornography were lifted... the rates of rape in those countries increased.
For example, in two Australian states between 1964 and 1977, when South
Australia liberalized its laws on pornography and Queensland maintained its
conservative policy... over the thirteen-year period, the number of rapes in
Queensland remained at the same low level while South Australia’s showed a
six-fold increase.’ [John Court, Criminal Neglect: Why Sex Offenders Go Free
(Toronto: Doubleday, p.141)]” “Based on interviews with a nationally
representative sample of 1,501 youth, ages 10 to 17, that use the Internet
regularly during a year timeframe:
♦ Approximately one in five received a sexual solicitation or approach over
the Internet.
♦ One in four had an unwanted exposure to pictures of naked people or people
having sex.
♦ One in seventeen was threatened or harassed.” “According to a report,
‘Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later’ published in 2006: 79% of
youth unwanted exposure to pornography occurs in the home." “And do not be
deceived into thinking that the pervasive influence of pornography is something
that happens to other people. Focus on the Family has noted the following:
♦ A Focus on the Family commissioned Zogby International survey in 2000 and
found that 17.8% of all ‘born again’ Christian adults (in America) have visited
sexually-oriented Websites.” “And according to a Christianity Today article from
2001:
♦ 51% of pastors said cyberporn was a possible temptation. 37% said it was a
‘current struggle’ and 4 in 10 pastors had visited a porn site.”
“Effecting real change must start within each and every one of us. We can
start to change the world by changing ourselves... our families and those within
our own circles of influence. As with all things, we can start to tackle this
problem through personal resolve, personal initiative and commitment.”
Christopher Carmouche is the Executive Director of GrassTopsUSA a WCF Partner
Click here to read Chris Carmouche’s full remarks. |
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World Congress of Families relies on the generous support of pro-family
donors and activists such as you. Help us to build a truly international
profamily movement and set the stage for World Congress of Families 5.
Click here to make a
tax-deductible donation. |
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World Congress of Families:
Profiles in Leadership
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This continues our regular feature celebrating the women and men
who have contributed to the growing success of the international pro-family
movement.
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John Smeaton
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 John Smeaton is National Director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn
Children and Vice- President of the International Right to Life Federation. The
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) was the first pro-life
organization in the world (established in 1966) and has led the educational and
political battle against abortion, human embryo experimentation and euthanasia
for 40 years. It has 130 branches, 30,000 members and 30 full-time staff. John
is its national director, and has worked full-time in the pro-life movement
since 1978.
He was appointed national director of SPUC in the United Kingdom in 1996,
having been General Secretary of the Society since 1978. He was elected a
vice-president of International Right to Life Federation in 2005. Smeaton first
became involved in SPUC after graduating from Oxford University, when he
established a branch in his home area in south London in 1974.
At the United Nations Conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul and
Rome, John played a leading role in organizing more than 150 pro-life and
pro-family Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as an effective lobbying force,
resulting in important pro-life victories in Cairo, Istanbul and Rome, where
attempts by rich western nations to impose abortion-on-demand policies on the
poorest nations on earth were soundly defeated.
John was educated at Salesian College in London, before going to Oxford,
where he graduated in English Language and Literature.
He qualified as a teacher, becoming Head of English at an English Secondary
School. However, John felt so strongly about the political fight against
abortion that he gave up his post, taking part-time work in teaching so that he
could give as much time as possible to SPUC as a volunteer, thus helping to
build and expand the work of the Society. It was after three years of part-time
voluntary work that he was appointed SPUC’s General Secretary.
John Smeaton and his wife, Josephine, have a grown-up family; they live in
north London. As a result of family experience, they developed a program for
parents entitled “Teaching Our Children About Human Sexuality: Meeting the
Challenge” – a series of seminars for parents involving leading Catholic doctors
and lay experts. In developing their ideas, John has worked closely with the
Pontifical Council for the Family.
John Smeaton has always had a particular interest in drama and youth work. He
produced a pro-life revue for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which won
considerable acclaim; this followed a successful production on racism which he
directed at Oxford University, which he subsequently took to the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival.
John spoke at the June 2-3 WCF Regional Congress/Family Values Conference in
London, on combating sex education in the United Kingdom. See story on page 1.
SPUC was also a Co-Sponsor of World Congress of Families V.
Click here for the website of the Society for the Protection of Unborn
Children |
Morton Blackwell
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 In 1960, Morton Blackwell began to identify, train, and place bright young
conservatives for activism in the public policy process.
He was one of the original eleven members of the Steering Committee of
National Youth for Goldwater. Barry Goldwater’s youngest elected national
convention delegate in 1964, Blackwell served as the state chairman of the
Louisiana College Republicans and Louisiana Young Republicans.
In 1965, he became executive director of the College Republicans and held
that position on and off for five and a half years under four College Republican
national chairmen.
A veteran conservative activist with wide experience in and out of
government, Blackwell founded the Leadership Institute in 1979.
In 1980 he organized the national youth effort for Ronald Reagan’s
presidential campaign, and went on to serve on President Reagan’s White House
Staff.
In 1984, Blackwell left the White House to work full-time as the President of
the Leadership Institute, his educational foundation dedicated to training and
placing young conservatives.
Blackwell’s writings have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The
Washington Post, The Washington Times, and Human Events.
Since 1988, he has served as a member of the Republican National Committee as
Virginia’s National Committeeman.
Today, Morton Blackwell continues to increase the number and effectiveness of
conservative activists and leaders through the programs of the Leadership
Institute, which, in 2009 alone, trained 11,633 people in its 41 types of
training schools. Its leadership training includes campus activism, media,
campaigns for elective office, fundraising and working for elected officials.
Its Campus Leadership Program currently has more than1,360 active,
independent conservative student groups and campus publications in colleges and
universities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Institute did leadership training at World Congress of Families IV
(Warsaw) and V (Amsterdam). WCF managing Director Larry Jacobs has lectured at
L.I. international schools in the United Kingdom and Bolivia, as well as at its
Arlington, VA headquarters.
Click here for the website of the Leadership Institute. |
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World Congress of Families relies on the generous support of pro-family
donors and activists such as you. Help us to build a truly international
profamily movement and set the stage for World Congress of Families 5.
Click here to make a
tax-deductible donation. |
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Thank you to all WCF Co-Sponsors for your
continuing support.
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