Summary of the 2nd European Youth Workshop

European Youth Workshop II.

Brussels, 16-18 October 2016

Organised by the Confederation of Family Associations in the Carpathian Basin, the second European Youth Workshop was held in Brussels on 16-18 October 2016. The 44 participants, coming from 13 countries, also took part in the conference entitled “Family - Investment in the Future”, held in the European Parliament, co-organised with Mr György Hölvényi and Ms Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz (both Members of the European Parliament).

The idea of organising workshop series for the youth on the topic of family is based on the recognition that the foundation of a family, as well as becoming committed for a lifetime, is one of the main concerns of the young generation. Young people have difficulty finding support regarding family issues, and their opinions or suggestions are often not responded to at a political level. However, if we acknowledge that the future is in the hands of the young generation, we must help them to modulate the world according to their needs and desires. The organisers of the European Youth Workshops aim to initiate changes regarding this issue.

The recent event was attended by young people aged 20 to 32. The participants of the workshop discussed different topics in four working groups: (i) family and marriage as the main foundation stones of a society, (ii) balance between work and family, (iii) quality life of families, and (iv) administrative and financial help to large families, taxation. The group leaders summarised the opinion and proposals of their groups at the conference in the European Parliament.  The conclusions of the working sessions were also summarized in two final documents: a Resolution, following the pattern of Resolutions of the European Parliament, with indications to the legislation of the EU, and a Final Declaration, which is a simplified version of the Resolution.  

Kevin J. Farrell, Archbishop of the Roman Curia, Prefect of Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, sent his warm greetings to the organisers and the participants of the Workshop and the Conference. In his letter, he expressed his encouragement concerning the vision and the goal of the event.