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WORLD CONGRESS OF FAMILIES IV

Warsaw, Poland
May 11-13, 2007

The World Congress of Families IV will be held in the Warsaw Congress Centre, Warsaw, May 11-13, 2007. The Congress Centre is located in the heart of the city with easy access to major hotels, which will have special group rates. Convents in the area will also provide accommodation at very affordable rates. The Centre has the capacity to hold over 3,000 persons, and has excellent translation and audio-visual equipment. A program for pre and post Congress tourism opportunities is also being prepared for those who may want to extend their visit in Poland.

Why Poland?

The reason why Poland was selected as the location for the fourth World Congress is due to the pivotal role Poland now holds in the European Union (EU). As stated in the article, "Europe: Marches to Its Death," the EU is in its death throes. It is being destroyed by its rabid rejection of its Christian roots, the denial of the economic problems caused by its low birth rate, and the promotion of abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality.

Poland, on the other hand, a member of the EU, has resolutely rejected such policies and proudly promotes its own rich cultural heritage and religion, including the importance of the family and the sanctity of human life. It rejected the socialist-led government that has been in power since the fall of communism in 1989, and elected the pro-life/family Law and Justice Party. Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz has publicly stated that homosexuality is unnatural, the family is natural, and that the state must stand guard over the family.

Lech Kaczynski, who, as Mayor of Warsaw, banned "gay pride parades" two years in a row, has recently been elected President of Poland.

Poland's Turbulent History

The strength of Poland through its long and turbulent history has always been its determination to protect its heritage. Poland has no natural protective borders, such as mountains or the sea, and is bordered by Russia on one side, and Germany on the other. As a result, it has been overrun many times by conquerors, but Poland has never submitted its spirit to its conquerors' will. Throughout its difficult history, Poland has determinedly continued to be Poland. Its great composers continued to compose, its writers continued to write, and Poland preserved its language and faith, never succumbing to the external pressures to change.

So today, Poland has taken on the role of helping Europe from itself due to the fact that the World Congress of Families, held in Warsaw, will invigorate and encourage those remaining faith-based Europeans to carry on with their beliefs and values, assured that they are not alone.
Why Poland then? 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. Poland has saved Europe before. It is likely she will save Europe again. On family and population questions, Europe is the battleground in the early years of the 21st century, and Poland is the pivot point. It makes abundant sense that The World Congress of Families IV meet among the brave people of Poland.

Poland Overjoyed by the Proposed Congress

Offers to support the World Congress of Families IV in Warsaw have come from Marek Jurek, the Speaker of the Lower House of Poland's legislature, called the "Sejm", from eight members of the Polish Senate, the Law and Justice Party, the Polish Farmers' Party and the Advisors on Family Affairs and Educational Affairs to the Prime Minister of Poland, Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. The Catholic Church in Poland, under Archbishop Kazimiez Majdanski, has formally endorsed WCF IV as well.

The Strength of Poland

In addition to its strongly held belief in faith, life and family, Poland is also a physically secure and well-organized country that is sympathetic to the West. It is a member of NATO and a supporter of western objectives in establishing democratic principles and the rule of law.

Because Poland is a country of emigration, rather than immigration, it does not have a dissident, ideologically based population, which has caused so much harm recently in Spain, England and France. A visit to Poland will mean a safe, fascinating voyage into a different culture full of history and old world charm.

Congress Meetings:

  • The First World Congress of Families convened in Prague, The Czech Republic, in March, 1997. Over 700 delegates from 200 organizations in 43 nations took part.

  • The World Congress of Families II (WCF II) convened in Geneva, Switzerland, in November, 1999. Over 1,600 delegates from 270 organizations in 65 nations attended WCF II, with strengthened numbers from South America, Africa, the Middle East.

  • The Third World Congress (WCF III) occurred in Mexico City, March 29-31, 2004, with over 3,000 registered participants (well above our goal of 2,500) from 75 countries.

  • At the World Congress of Families IV (WCF IV) scheduled for May 11-13, 2007 in Warsaw, Poland, it is anticipated that over 3,500 delegates from over 75 nations around the world will attend.

The Importance of the World Congress Meetings

The World Congress meetings serve a vitally important role in that they compile well-researched papers on the importance of the traditional family. Each Congress also prepares a Declaration on the Family which nations may use as a guideline or standard to assist them in developing their own policies.

It was good news to learn that six of the "new" members of the European Union - namely the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia all formally endorsed the March 2004 Mexico City Declaration of the World Congress of Families. One of the members of the Drafting Committee of the Mexico City Declaration, by the way, was Gwen Landolt, our National Vice President.

The World Congress IV in Poland will draw large delegations from Eastern Europe as well as the nations from the former Soviet Union. Attendance from pro-family groups in Western Europe, especially Germany and France, will also be likely. It's shaping up to be the most exciting dynamic and productive World Congress of Families to date.
We hope you will consider joining in the international celebration of life and family.

Further information on this World Congress will be included in future issues of REALity as the information becomes available.

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