European Union
Although family-policies are a national competence and greatly vary across the 27 EU Member-States, the European Union can play an important role in promoting family-friendly policies. FAFCE supports in this direction the daily work of the different EU bodies:
- European Parliament: composed of representatives directly elected by the EU citizens, it participates to produce the EU legislation with the European Council and the European Commission.
- European Council: composed of the EU heads of state or governments, it defines the EU’s political directions and priorities.
- European Commission: composed of designated Commissioners led by a President, it is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
- Council of the European Union: composed of Ministers from each Member-States, it meets regularly to discuss specific points on the EU legislation and coordinate EU policies.
- Economic and Social European Committee: composed of representatives of civil society (workers’ and employers’ organisation, interest groups, etc.), this EU advisory body issues opinions on EU issues.
- Committee of the Regions: composed of locally and regionally elected representatives, this EU advisory body produces opinions on EU legislation that directly impact regions and cities.
The Estrela Report is back on the table – European parents expect the EP to act democratically
On 22 October a European Parliament report on “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” (SRHR) was referred back to the Committee on Womens’ Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). It is indeed an exception for an initiative report, i.e. a
“An EU Roadmap against homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity” – a European Parliament report likely to divide the EU
A couple of months ahead of the European Elections, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament prepares a report that is likely to meet very diverging opinions across the EU as it clearly
Press release | 1,4 Million EU Citizens in favour of Human Dignity – European Parliament split over “Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Health” Report
Brussels, 22 October 2013 Today, Tuesday 22 October, the European Parliament took a position on the issue of Human Dignity. By voting a decision to refer the resolution on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights presented by Portugese
FAFCE’s Message on the occasion of the International Day of the Family 2013: Invest in the Family, Families are Europe’s wealth!
Families are the basic units of society, and a family has a value of its own. It is more than just the simple sum of its members. From an economic perspective the family is not only a consumer
Press release | FAFCE greets the European Parliament’s vote in favour of Tonio Borg, a vote respectful of Fundamental Freedoms
FAFCE greets the European Parliament’s vote in favour of the nomination of the Maltese Commissioner Designate Tonio Borg for the Health and Consumer Protection portfolio. In a full hemicycle the vote took place in a lively atmosphere. 386
The European Parliament votes on the nomination of maltese Commissioner Designate Tonio Borg: the FAFCE calls on MEPs to stand up for Fundamental Freedoms
On 21 November the European Parliament will vote on the nomination of the Commissioner Designate Tonio Borg for the Health and Consumer Rights portfolio. The FAFCE has addressed an open letter to all MEPs calling on them to stand
Press release | The honesty of EC designate T. Borg stronger than false assertions
On Tuesday 13 November a 3 hours hearing was held at the European Parliament with the Maltese Commissioner designate Tonio Borg. The hearing was preceded by a misleading campaign against Dr Borg attacking his personal views, albeit the
Campaign against fundamental freedoms
Campaign against fundamental freedoms: Maltese European Commission Candidate Tonio Borg hearing at the European Parliament 13 November 2012 An aggressive campaign is currently being conducted to oust the catholic Maltese Commissioner designate Tonio Borg: LGBT, atheist secularist and pro-abortion lobbies attempt to
FAFCE address to the Hungarian Presidency of the EU
FAFCE address to the Hungarian Presidency of the EU on the family and work balance in view of the Trio Presidency and Poland Declaration on the Impacts of Work and Family Life on Demographic Dynamics Budapest, Wednesday the 30th of March
Press release | FAFCE calls upon Hungarian EU Presidency to put family first
On Wednesday the 30th of March 2011 Antoine Renard, President of the European Federation of Catholic Family Associations, presented a declaration to the Hungarian State Secretary of Social, Family and Youth Affairs, Dr Soltész Miklós in Budapest at
