European Institutions
In this page we will display all the activities done in the framework of the European institutions which affects directly or indirectly all families in Europe.
Resolution (93) 38 on relations between the Council of Europe and Non – Governmental Organisations (1993)
Resolution (2003) 9 Status of partnership between the Council of Europe and Non – Governmental Organisations (2003)
FAFCE elected Co-Chair of the Women’s Rights Committee of the Conference of NGOs of the Council of Europe
Strasbourg, 17 April 2026 The Council of Europe Advocacy Director of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE), Teresa Gerns, has been elected yesterday Co-chair of the Women’s Rights Committee of the
“It is for parents to raise their children and not platforms“ says Ursula von der Leyen
Brussels, 15th of April 2026 On the 15th of April President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen issued a joint press conference to provide an update
FAFCE Webinar “Families and Amoris Laetitia : where are we now ?” (with videos)
Ten years ago, in March 2016, His Holiness Pope Francis issued the encyclical "Amoris Laetitia", which asks for a renewed pastoral of marriage and family. On the tenth anniversary of this publication, on Friday 27
Save the Date : Conference on Ukraine – 22 April at the European Parliament
Brussels, 31 March 2026 In the context of the war in Ukraine, families appear both as essential actors of social resilience and as a key lever for recovery and peace. Vulnerable and indispensable, they
FAFCE participates at the Symposium Chantiers-Éducation in Rome
26th of March 2026, Brussels From 12 to 15 March 2026 FAFCE participated in the International Seminar organised by the French Catholic Family Associations (AFC) in Rome, dedicated to supporting the educational mission of
Meeting of the COMECE Social Affairs Commission
Brussels, 18 March 2025 FAFCE EU Advocacy Director Matthieu Bruynseels took part in the annual meeting of the Social Affairs Commission of COMECE, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union. As required
SAVE THE DATE : FAFCE Webinar “Families and Amoris Laetitia : where are we now ?”
On the tenth anniversary of the encyclical "Amoris Laetitia", which asks for a renewed pastoral of marriage and family, FAFCE will organise a Webinar on the current status of the pastoral care for families.
Intergenerational Fairness Strategy acknowledges FAFCE idea of a Demographic Forum
Brussels, 11 March 2026 After many months of consultation of civil society, the European Commission presented its first "Intergenerational Fairness Strategy" (see full text on the link) on Thursday 5 March 2026 in Brussels.
European Day for a work-free Sunday: Joint statement of the European Sunday Alliance
Brussels, 3rd of March 2026 On the occasion of the 3rd of March, the European day for a work free Sunday, FAFCE joins the European Sunday Alliance (ESA) in a campaign to promote
FAFCE Statement on the European Commission’s support to abortion tourism
Brussels, 27 February 2026 “Believing that an ideology can be imposed from above is an approach that openly conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, the foundation of the European legal system. The initiative "My
FAFCE meets the Croatian Minister of Family
Brussels, Tuesday 24 February FAFCE met with the Croatian Minister for Demography and Immigration, Mr Ivan Šipić, today in Brussels. FAFCE was represented by Matthieu Bruynssels as Advocacy Director for the European Union, and
International Day of Education 2026
Brussels, 11 February 2026 On Wednesday 11 February, the European Parliament have debated on the question of Education. The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe takes the opportunity to reaffirm the importance of
FAFCE needs your support !
A message from Vincenzo Bassi, President of FAFCE : Monday, 8th of December 2025 As the Year 2025 is coming to an end, I need to share with you the difficult times that the
Cross-partisan support to ban surrogacy
Brussels, 25 November 2025 A conference on surrogacy, organised by the ECR group at the European Parliament, took place on Wednesday 19 November. One year after the decision of the Italian government to forbid
The European Parliament condems surrogacy in Gender Equality Strategy 2025
Brussels, 14 November 2025 On Thursday 13 November 2025, in the resolution "Gender Equality Strategy", the European Parliament clearly expressed its view that it : "Condemns the practice of surrogacy, which involves the reproductive
CONFERENCE INVITATION I Exchange on the Demographic Challenges
The Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe is delighted to invite you to the Exchange on Demographic Challenges between FAFCE Board Members and Members of the European Parliament, on the 4th of November at
Cohesion or Exclusion? Europe and the Demographic Challenge of Rural Areas
Brussels, 22 October 2025 Supporting families is not directly a European competence, but the EU can still act through cohesion policy, i.e., European aid to less-developed regions. The Cohesion Policy is the only European
European Sunday Alliance welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to go further on fair telework and a right to disconnect
Brussels, 15th of October 2025 The European Sunday Alliance contributed to the second-stage consultation launched by the European Commission on the workers’ right to disconnect and fair telework. FAFCE is proud to be a
