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.
“Mum, Dad & Kids” European Citizens Initiative – Letting EU Citizens have a say on marriage and family
As announced earlier in our newsletter, a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) on marriage and family has been launched across the European Union. An ECI is a democratic instrument introduced by the European Union to give citizens more possibilities to
Principles of Good Palliative Care
Palliative care should be integrated early in the process of the disease, improves the quality of life of patients, alleviates families and can even reduce costs of health systems. These are the main messages of Professor Philip Larkin, President
The Family of Nazareth: a model for today’s Europe
EP Manger 2015 Inauguration of the 2015 Christmas Crib of the European Parliament in Brussels On 8 December 2015, with Christmas and its universal message of Peace approaching, MEP Luigi Morgano (Italy, S&D Group) decided to organize a
Press Release in Italian | Comunicato stampa | La vita trionfa! Una dichiarazione pro-eutanasia decade al Parlamento europeo
Bruxelles, 12 gennaio 2016 "Dichiarazione scritta sulla dignità alla fine della vita": questo era il titolo di una dichiarazione scritta decaduta la scorsa settimana, non avendo ottenuto il sostegno necessario da parte della maggioranza dei membri del
Press release | Life overcomes! Pro-euthanasia written declaration fails in the European Parliament
Brussels, 11 January 2016 “Written declaration on dignity at the end of life“: this was the title of a written declaration which lapsed last week, as it failed to reach the requested majority of the Members of the
EU Consultation on Balance between Family Life and Work: have your say!
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on “Possible action addressing the challenges of work-life balance faced by working parents and caregivers”. The aim is to gather views on the development and implementation of a range of
A new European Citizens’ Initiative in favour of Marriage and Family
On 11 December the European Commission gave its green light to start a new European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) in favour of marriage and family called Mum, Dad & Kids. The initiative asks the European Commission to respect the
Press Release | EP Interest Group on Work-Life Balance Meets
EP Interest Group on Work-Life Balance Meets: Healthy work places in Europe, keys to preventing psychosocial risks Brussels, 11 December 2015 Tackling the rise in psychosocial diseases by ensuring a fair work-life balance, proper rest and a common work-free
Cooperating for Human Dignity
Relaunch of the Human Dignity Working Group “The infinite dignity of every human being is routinely denied across all stages of life, from conception until natural death. Therefore, the concept of human dignity must be further explored, in
The President of the European Council is clear : “The definitions of marriage and family are matters of national competence for EU Member States”. What about the European Commission?
On 23 July FAFCE President, Antoine Renard, wrote a letter to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in order to express the concerns of the European Federation of Catholic Family Associations (FAFCE) regarding the statements of
