Real Women of Canada - Newsletters - World Congress Of Families Iii

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World Congress Of Families Iii - October 2002

Two World Congress of Families have now taken place - in 1997 in Prague, The Czech Republic, and in 1999 in Geneva, Switzerland.

These two Congresses have resulted in a marked influence on ideas, policies and action around the globe. For example, at the UN, pro-family forces have experienced significant advances. There has also been a ripple effect resulting in pro-family organization springing up in other countries such as Russia, Ireland, the Philippines, and Argentina, to name just a few of approximately 12 countries with new pro-family groups since the last Congress.

Positive reports of the Congress in Geneva have been published, such as the one from Deutsche Presse-Agentur (German Press Agency):

… What do American rabbis, Mormons, Baptists, conservative Roman Catholics and Iranian mullahs have in common, one might ask. Quite a lot would be the answer, looking at the 'Second World Congress of [Families],' being held in a luxury hotel on Lake Geneva this week …

This comradeship between elegantly dressed European nobility, mullahs wearing turbans, housewives in casual clothes, Americans in suits and women wearing black headscarves may appear rather odd, but those attending are in agreement on most of the issues.

Associated Press

… countering standard United Nations thinking that small families are beautiful, organizers have lined up a key Vatican official and the widow of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as speakers to help them promote large families that include both parents.

Don Feder in The Weekly Standard

… Mormons and Catholics huddled. Orthodox rabbis and Moslem imams compared notes. Nicaragua's minister of the family listened attentively as a physician from Kenya described the impact of birth control on a tribal culture. A law professor from Tokyo University deconstructed the concept of children's rights …. Welcome to the World Congress of Families II …. Geneva was a milepost on the admittedly arduous road to an international renaissance of ideals long in disfavour with Western elites and under siege at the United Nations.

What is the World Congress of Families?

The World Congress of Families is a rallying center for the world's family systems grounded in religious faith to respond to the militant, life-denying, family-disrupting secularism found in the "post-modern" western world. The purpose of the Congress is to restore the natural family as the fundamental social unit. The Congress affirms and builds a positive united front among adherents to the Abrahamic faith (Christian, Muslim and Jew) and the Eastern religions. The Congress also seeks to shift the terms of certain key public debates:

From "overpopulation" to "under population" as the demographic problem facing the 21st century;
From "the family as an obstacle" to "the family as the source of social renewal and progress";
From "the small family and voluntary childlessness as good" to "the celebration of the large family as a special social gift";
And from "religious orthodoxy as a threat to progress" to "religious orthodoxy as the source of human value and life."

Where and When - World Congress III

The momentum has perceptibly shifted to our side. It is believed that this effort must be mobilized once again to convene the World Congress III to continue on with the work of previous Congresses.

World Congress III will be held simultaneously in two countries, Mexico City and Dubai in the United Arab Emirate (located on the Persian Gulf) on October 27 - 30, 2002. These Congresses will be linked with a common satellite link (and common speakers) for 2-4 hours each day in order to be more accessible to persons in all areas of the globe, to overcome entry restrictions in certain countries, and to generate a truly global flavour and excitement and to symbolize the unity of faiths which support the family.

The theme of the World Congress of Families III will be "Building a World Truly Safe for Children."

Program Planning Committee

The Program Planning Committee for the World Congress of Families met in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 7, 8 and 9th. The meeting was held at the wonderful facilities of Focus on the Family, which, as the host, could not have been more warmly welcoming and generous in their hospitality to the Committee.

REAL Women National Vice President, Gwen Landolt, is a member of this Planning Committee. Other members on the Planning Committee included delegates from Australia, Republic of Cameroon - West Africa, Dubai, Pakistan, Russia, Czech Republic, Romania, The Philippines and the US.

The meeting was a great success with many decisions made such as the topics to be discussed at the Congress and choosing the speakers who would address the issues. Further information about the World Congress of Families III will be included in future issues of Reality as they become finalized.

The World Congress of Families is little over a year away. Please plan to attend. Make your exciting choice: will it be in Mexico City or Dubai? Either place will be welcoming you!

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