18/02/2009: Parliament expressed its support for the Commission Communication "Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child" and called on the Commission to take specific measures. The need to take concrete measures in order to answer to the needs of children and families is a position that the EP has defended on two notable occasions, through its resolution on "promoting social inclusion and combating poverty, including child poverty, in the EU" and its decision establishing 2010 as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion.

In this context, Marie Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou MEP (EPP-ED, Greece), Chairwoman of the Intergroup on 'Family and Protection of Childhood', asked the European Commission what is the recent state of play in this field and what other matters of crucial importance to children the Commission will promote in the near future.

The representative of the European Commission, Vice-President Jacques Barrot, gave the following answer to Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou: "The Commission Communication proposes the establishment of a Strategy aiming at efficiently promoting the rights of the child in the framework of the EU internal and external policies, supporting the efforts made by the Member States in this field (...) [ and finally] launching a consultation before the presentation of a European Strategy for the period 2010-2014. This consultation is ongoing: (...) in the fields of Justice, Liberty and Security prior to the Stockholm programme, the European forum for the rights of the child, the experts' reunion and the consultation of children to be launched in 2009. The new Strategy on the rights of the child will particularly be focused on the new priorities identifies by the EP resolution. Since the adoption of its Communication the Commission has committed itself to taken concrete measures such as legislative measures, measures of police and judicial cooperation, measures of cooperation between Member States, exchange of good practices, in view of combating any violation of children's rights. To this end, a Forum was created (...) [in order to] advice and support the Commission and other European Institutions, (...) to exchange information and good practices in matters related to the rights of the child (...) to promote the children's point of view on policies and matters which are of an interest to them. The conditions of such participation are to be determined. The Forum held on the 9th of December 2008 mainly dealt with the theme of violence and of the participation and consultation of children.

Regarding children's poverty, national action plans for social inclusion 2008-2010 have confirmed that poverty and social exclusion of children constitute more than never a concern to the great majority of Member States, but also an essential element in the framework of the Open Method of Coordination on poverty and social exclusion. Progress has been made in the field of the analysis and the statistical treatment of these questions; nevertheless, it is hard to find the necessary efforts and political engagement without which it will be very difficult to have a decisive influence on the phenomenon of poverty and social exclusion of children. (...) In this respect, the Commission wishes to reinforce the process of definition of reasonable objectives but also the establishment of monitoring and evaluation tools both at European and National level. It also considers a better way to coordinate the European process in the field of the rights of the child, but also the social inclusion process and the encouragement of the improvement of synergies at a National level between the establishment of reports on the UN Convention on the rights of the Child and the development of national action plans for social inclusion".

"In this context of generalised financial crisis which influences the daily lives of families, what matters is the rapid execution of preventive measures in order to control an unexpected extension of the multidimensional phenomenon of child poverty, and notably in the regions affected by unemployment", commented Marie Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou.

For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447 - Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE FAMILY

28/01/2009: At European level Decisions are taken in order to grant numerous rights and concessions to mothers and fathers, rights in respect of dependent family members (children, the elderly, the disabled) as well as decisions to facilitate the combination of work and family life, but also in relation to remunerated activities or self-employment. However, self-employment within the family, the implications thereof for the family and the family as an employer has not been recognized by the EU. Consequently, the Greek MEP asked what proposals the Czech Presidency was going to present in this area.

The Council's representative, M. Vondra Alexandr, answered Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou's question as follows: "the European Parliament and the Council can only act in a legislative capacity on the basis of a proposal from the Commission. The Commission has indeed recently tabled a proposal for a new Directive on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a self-employed capacity and repealing Directive 86/613/EEC. The proposal aims at improving the social protection of self-employed workers, with a view to removing disincentives to female entrepreneurship ... the social protection of "assisting spouses", who often work in the self-employed sector without enjoying the corresponding rights. ... the vast majority of such “assisting spouses” are women, and many of them work in the agricultural sector. The Commission's proposal also aims at enhancing the recognition of such self-employment within the family by granting maternity leave to “assisting spouses”, the proposal also seeks to redress the sometimes problematic implications that informal employment within family businesses can have for the family itself, especially when “assisting spouses” have children.

Turning to the broader implications of unrecognized work by “assisting spouses” in the long term... the Council is aware of the particularly difficult situation faced by unsalaried women who depend on their husbands for their income and whose financial situation is often precarious when they retire, or if they divorce or are widowed. The Council expressed its concern with regard to this issue in December 2007, when it adopted a set of Conclusions on "Women and Poverty". The Council recognized that women were more vulnerable to income poverty than men and that the gender gap increased with age. More recently, in December 2008, the Council adopted a set of Conclusions on "Women and the Economy: the Reconciliation of Work and Family Life". Here, too, the Council reaffirmed the importance of measures allowing women and men to reconcile their work and family responsibilities, and called for appropriate policies.

In conclusion, the Council is actively addressing the concerns with respect to self-employment within a family context. The Czech Presidency will continue discussions on the above-mentioned legislative initiative and will follow its development in the European Parliament".

"My wish is for the Commission to take into serious consideration the Council's answer, and present within the briefest possible delay a relevant proposal on this issue", stated Mrs Panayotopoulos - Cassiotou.

For further information:
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847447 - Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

COFACE, THE VOICE OF FAMILIES IN THE EU, CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

03/06/2008: On June 3rd 2008, during an event held in the European Economic and Social Committee, in Brussels, several European high officials expressed their congratulations to the Confederation of Family Organisations in the EU (COFACE), on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary.

In a video message, Commissioner Vladimir Špidla (video wmv 37MB) said in particular that ‘COFACE’s role has become increasingly important in voicing the daily concerns of families in their diversity to European decision makers’.

Similarly, Director general of DG EAC, Odile Quintin (video wmv 79MB), reminded of the ‘major role’ played by COFACE and that it ‘may be proud of what it has achieved as the voice of families at EU level’. She added that families still have an important role to play in the face of major stakes ahead, such as the demographic trends and the ageing population, climate change, environmental challenges and the issue of mobility.

For Director general Robert Madelin (video wmv 23MB), COFACE represents a ‘crucial partner’ for DG Sanco, as families are among the main beneficiaries of citizen policies developed by his DG. He encourages COFACE and its member organisations to continue to coordinate their activities in particular in the fields of alcohol and nutrition, and to use new information technologies for the purpose.

For Jillian Van Turnhout (video wmv 23MB), Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee, COFACE’s role is essential because ‘many European policies have an impact on the daily lives of families’.

Jérôme Vignon (video wmv 9MB), Director at DG Empl, recalled that ‘in the Europe of 27, the value and dynamism of family life are widely recognized’. He also in particular expressed his confidence that COFACE ‘will continue to embody a cohesive vision of solidarity in society’ and ‘to further take on the issue of equality between women and men’.

MEP Maria Panayatopoulos-Cassiotou (video wmv 4.7MB), Chair of the Intergroup on the Protection of families and children, wished that together ‘with COFACE, family-friendly policies may continue to be implemented by the various EU institutions, thus helping to make progress on the path towards a Europe with an increased human and family dimension’.

Former Director general of DG Empl, Jean Degimbe (video wmv 8MB), recalled his first contacts with one of the founders of COFACE, Joseph Gilles, and that ‘it was under COFACE’s pressure that, in 1983, a 1st European Parliament Resolution on European Family Policy was adopted, as the first Community text in the field, thanks to which we were able to start working on the issue’.

In his welcoming speech, EESC member Luca Jahier (video mpg 13.5MB) reminded participants that ‘COFACE was as old as the EU institutions and that family organisations were therefore among the first to develop a structured European civil dialogue’. He also congratulated COFACE for ‘its tenacity and determination’ in a sector that is not of direct EU competence.

After a brief historical summary of the organisation by COFACE’s Director William Lay, a panel discussion gathered successive Presidents (Kitty Harlin , Lucien Bouis, Steen Mogens Lasson and Yves Roland-Gosselin) to evoke with the participation of the floor the major – and minor – stages of COFACE’s development. Among the hundred or so participants, several former collaborators – voluntary workers and employees – were present in the room.

Finally, in a closing keynote speech, Robert Anderson (video wmv 20MB), from the Dublin Foundation, highlighted issues that, in his opinion, would be the future priorities relating to families at EU level. They were: improved flexible work arrangements and job quality, as they impact on family life; greater involvement of men in family responsibilities, also underlining the role of grandparents; necessary development of community services and their quality, in particular childcare and out-of-school activities, as well as elderly care; affordable quality housing. Lastly, he insisted on the important role of NGOs such as COFACE as the main connections with the grass-roots citizens.

In closing the meeting, President Yves Roland-Gosselin expressed his wish for the future: ‘By endeavouring to take the family dimension into account, Europe takes a big step forward towards citizens in their daily concerns. COFACE will continue to keep a watchful eye on developments in this respect during the coming 50 years…at least!’

Download the press release: COFACE, the Voice of Families in the EU, celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Photos: 50 years of history

Brochure: COFACE 1958-2008


Brochure: COFACE 1958-2008


You can also watch a funny video with the contributions of Vladimir Spidla, Odile Quintin, Robert Madelin, Dimitri Dimitriadis, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Lucien Bouis, Roshan di Puppo, Bill Seary, Jacques Devillers, Marion Offrey, Gauthier Burny, the Secretariat of the Social Platform and even our neighbours!

CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE FAMILY IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

16/05/2008: The European Parliament today joined the celebrations on the occasion of the International Day of the Family in the framework of a meeting organised by Anna Záborská MEP, Chairwoman of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee of the European Parliament, and Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, Chairwoman of the Family and Protection of Childhood Intergroup.

Ljublica Salinger, representative of the Slovenian Ministry for the Family, Vladimír Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opporunities, Mr Linzbach from the German Ministry of the Family, Professor Dumont of the Sorbonne University, and Stéphane Buffetaut and Luca Jahier of the European Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) were among the speakers of the meeting which focused on 'family-friendly initiatives and the perspectives for the new European Alliance for the family'.

The meeting, which gathered MEPs, including the First Vice-President of the EP, Rodi Kratsa, and a great number of NGOs, highlighted the importance of the exchange of good practices in the framework of the European Alliance for the family in order to better address the new solidarity challenges resulting from demographic ageing and low birth rates.

While presenting the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency in the field of the family, the representative of the Slovenian Family Ministry recalled the necessity to establish new solidarities within the family and among the generations by ensuring gender equality and providing for sufficient care for the elderly. The conciliation of family and professional life is also particularly encouraged by the Presidency within the European Alliance for the Family. The representative of the German Ministry for the family approved the objectives set by the Slovenian Presidency and insisted on the importance of a joint commitment of the Member States which should be relayed by the Alliance. According to him, the creation of the group of experts on demography which is consulted by the Commission, the establishment of the internet portal of the Alliance as well as the numerous activities scheduled for 2008 (Demographic Forum in November, Eurobarometer study on families and children, Commission report on childcare services etc), all demonstrate the increased mobilisation of the Member States and the Commission. Mr Linzbach added that mutual learning within the Alliance encouraged Germany to provide for a parental allowance for families with low income and to extend its provision of care services.

The correlation between the amounts of social expenditure for the family, the availability of care services for children and the elderly, and birth rates was highlighted by Professor Dumont who also recalled the great diversity among the Member States in this field. In this framework, Commissioner Špidla recalled the need to create a friendly environment for the family, which remains the essential source of solidarity, by improving the living conditions of families while respecting their diversity. To this effect, the Commission will launch a reflection process on the improvement of care services for the elderly, eventually through a Communication, and will support the activities of the European Alliance through research and the use of structural funds.

Finally, Stéphane Buffetaut and Luca Jahier, ECOSOC draftsmen on the issue of demography, stressed that the efficiency of family policies relies on their durability and on the combination of family allowances, care services and tax reductions. Mr Jahier insisted more particularly on the necessity to introduce a family dimension in the new EU social agenda and to launch a discussion process both at European level, within a Family Observatory, and at national level.

"Besides being a legal, social and economic entity, the family is above all a community of love which should be valued at all times", declared Panayotopoulos and Záborská, who underlined that the celebration of the International Day of the Family is an opportunity to further promote the collaboration between the public and private actors so that the family can resume its role and that each of its members can fully enjoy their fundamental rights, their human dignity and their personal development.

For further information:
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP
Tel: +32-2-2847447
Fax: +32-2-2849447
Email: marie.panayotopoulos@europarl.europa.eu

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.

FAMILIES IN PRISON

17/12/2008: Marie Panayatopoulos-Cassiotou MEP (Greece) presents her report for vote on the situation of women in prison and the impact of the imprisonment of parents on social and family life to the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality on Monday 17th December.


Women constitute an average of 5% of the total prison population in Europe (from under 3% in Poland to nearly 8% in Spain). More than half have at least one child. In her report on the situation of women in prison and the impact of the imprisonment of parents on social and family life, the rapporteur expresses a set of recommendations to Member States concerning conditions in prison, maintaining of family ties, and social and professional reintegration. The report also asks Member States to adopt a comprehensive prison health policy, in particular concerning physical and mental disorders and addictions.

	Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
	Report on the situation of women in prison and the impact of the imprisonment of parents on social and family life

''EUROPEAN YEAR OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL: THE SITUATION OF LARGE FAMILIES''

12/12/2007: On the occasion of the closing of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, the Intergroup Family and Protection of Childhood met today to discuss the actions undertaken in order to improve the living conditions of large families and eliminate the discriminations that affect them. The meeting was preceded by a discussion between Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Chairwoman of the Intergroup, Mr Ribeiro e Castro, Vice-Chairman, and the European Large Families Confederation with Commissioner Špidla. The discussion focused on various topics of interest to families and in particular on the necessity to find a balance between the requirements of globalisation and the requirements linked to the protection of fundamental social rights.

The meeting of the Intergroup which gathered the participation of MEPs, representatives of the European Commission, the European Large Families Confederation as well as researchers on family policies, underlined that because of their minority position in society, large families are often not taken into account within national and European family policies and therefore do not receive the support they are entitled to, considering their invaluable role for the preservation of intergenerational solidarity and social cohesion.

A recent study presented by the representative of the French National Institute of Statistics (INSEE) demonstrated that children of large families have fewer professional and social opportunities given that their access to higher studies can be compromised because of the financial difficulties of their parents. The representative of the Family Institute of Baden Wurtemberg in Germany added that the great majority of large families in this country come from a working class environment and that women in large families do not usually have a professional activity. Consequently, these families and their children are particularly vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion.

The European Large Families Confederation recalled that European demographic policies always focus on the participation in the labour market instead of focusing on the effective support to the family. Thus, the informal provision of care to children and dependant persons within the family is not recognised at retirement and social protection levels whereas this activity is paid when it is done by third parties. ELFAC also underlined that professional stereotypes and social pressure influence the decision of couples to have a greater number of children at a time when the sustainability of the European economy depends on the increase of the birth rates. Finally, ELFAC reiterated the call of a coalition of family NGOs to the European Commission in favour of a reduced VAT rate for products of necessity for children, estimating that such a measure could help improve significantly the daily lives of large families.

Participants were pleased with Commissioner Špidla's commitment which was expressed by his representative, to promote, in conformity with the principle of subsidiarity, policies creating the necessary social conditions for the achievement of real family desires respectful of every person's free choice. In this respect they welcomed the Commission proposal to evaluate in 2008 the availability and quality of childcare services as well as the necessity to revise the provisions relating to the protection of maternity and parental leave. They also approved the Commissioner's proposal to promote actions within the European Family Alliance and encouraged him to launch proposals in this field.

At the end of the meeting, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou expressed the wish that future actions be coordinated in order to eliminate discriminations which still prevent Europeans from having their desired number of children.

NEED FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY FOR FAMILIES, UNEMPLOYED AND ELDERLY

15/11/2007: A report on two European Commission Communications on social cohesion and social reality stocktaking in the EU was discussed during this month's plenary session of the EP. The report includes all fields of action of the Open Method of Co-ordination relating to social policy which are included in the relevant National Action Plans.

Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, intervening on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, mentioned that the social reality stocktaking which the European Commission intends to carry out should give directions to Member States and bear in mind that today's Europe is facing serious demographic challenges that have an impact on social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity.

The MEP added: "Member States continue not to support families although they are the foundation of society. The poverty of families, especially of lone parents and large families, is increasing due to the lack not just of income but also of social support and equal treatment in taxation. Living conditions of families have an immediate impact on children. Child poverty, to which the report is referring to, increases the unequal access of children to funds and opportunities. Child poverty reduces the personal development of children as well as the future economic growth and social cohesion of Europe."

Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou repeated in the Plenary her proposal for the provision of a minimum income for every child that is born in the EU according to the gross per capita income of the state in which it is living in order to ensure its upbringing.

In addition, the MEP underlined that the policy for the promotion of social cohesion should not be based just on the participation in the labour market and the evaluation of economic indicators, but should also address the inactive as well as those who offer informal services within the family. More specifically, the MEP emphasised the need to grant pension and insurance rights to informal care givers and to recognise the skills that have been acquired during caring activities for children and the elderly.

Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou also stated: "The preservation of social cohesion requires the promotion of mutual assistance between the generations and the valorisation of the knowledge and the experience of the elderly and their transmission to younger generations. The investment in volunteering initiatives of educational, cultural or business nature as well as the creation of the proper infrastructure for the participation of the elderly in such activities will help avoid their marginalisation and their potential social exclusion."

For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

BETTER CONCILIATION OF FAMILY LIFE AND A PERIOD OF STUDIES OR TRAINING

06/06/2007: By Theo Georgitsopoulos

A large majority of the European Parliament approved the report of Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP (GR) entitled "Towards a regulatory framework for measures to reconcile family life and a period of studies for young women in the EU".

The report contains several recommendations which aim to enable young people to conciliate their period of studies or training with family responsibilities, either maternity or paternity leave or in situations of care for dependent persons such as disabled or elderly people. It also stresses the fact that the later achievement of the different stages of life (studies, work and family) is responsible, amongst others, for Europe's demographic decline.

Mrs Panayotopoulos' report encourages the Commission and the Member States to promote policies for the conciliation of a period of studies or training and family life and to provide interested young people with the resources that correspond to their needs. It invites Member States to propose low cost social security schemes for students and trainees which could be extended to their dependents as well as to facilitate the provision of bank loans for students and to reduce or suppress the taxation of young people who take up family responsibilities in parallel with their studies, training or professional activity.

The report also invites Member States and social partners to facilitate lifelong learning and its conciliation with family and professional life. It calls for the suppression of all restrictions to complementary paid work activities for students as long as the amounts received do not exceed the threshold set by each Member State. Finally, it calls on Member States to examine whether family responsibilities are a factor of abandonment of studies, especially for young women.

CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE FAMILY: MEETING IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

16/05/2007: The European Parliament joined the celebrations for the International Day of the Family in the framework of a meeting organised on 15 May by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP. This meeting, which was preceded by a press conference, gathered MEPs, international experts as well as family NGO representatives, in order to address two important issues for families: the education of children regarding the media and the financial situation of families.

Dr Ted Baehr, Director of Movie Guide Magazine (USA) and an internationally renowned expert, was a key speaker at this event during which he addressed the issue of the impact of the media on children. Dr Baehr presented alarming figures which demonstrate the addiction of children to the media and the effect of the latter on the living habits of families: US statistics show that children devote over 63,000 hours per year to the media compared to 11,000 hours for school. Parents only discuss two minutes per day with their children. Dr Baehr underlined the fact that the adoption of a selective behaviour regarding media content relies greatly on the participation and responsibility of parents who must assume their educational role. He also mentioned the importance of establishing an ethical code to which movie companies could subscribe in order to ensure the quality of their productions from an ethical and family perspective. Finally, Dr Baehr stressed that according to recent statistics, movie productions that convey moral values are particularly successful among the public and are economically more profitable.

Intervening on the topic of the financial situation of families, Mr Laszlo Marki, Vice-President of the European Large Families Confederation, recalled that 16% of the EU's population is threatened by poverty and underlined the importance of providing financial support to families given that the cost of life is constantly increasing. He then presented a call to the European Commission, supported by a coalition of European family NGOs, for a reduced VAT rate on products and services for children. Mr Marki reminded participants that the European Commission, in the framework of its action towards family-friendly policies, committed itself to finding a legal base in order to include nappies among the products that could benefit from a reduced VAT rate.

MEPs expressed their support for the proposal of the family NGOs and committed to promoting it at the European Commission and among their respective governments in order to contribute to the creation of the necessary conditions for demographic renewal. Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou stated that the success of such an initiative would constitute a strong and symbolic message of the interest of the EU for families and children in Europe.

For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

'WHICH FUTURE FOR FAMILIES IN EUROPE?': SEMINAR CHAIRED BY MARIE PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU MEP IN VIEW OF THE 4TH WORLD CONGRESS OF FAMILIES

The MEP and Chairwoman of the Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, chaired a seminar on "The Future of Families in Europe" on Wednesday 28 March at the European Parliament in Brussels. This seminar, which gathered a large number of MEPs and NGOs included the participation of the President of the Organising Committee of the World Congress for Family, Katarzyna Mazela, as well as the ECOSOC rapporteur for the family, Stephane Buffetaut.

The meeting focused initially on the presentation of the 4th World Congress for Family which will take place in Warsaw on 11-13 May 2007 on the topic "The natural Family - Spring for Europe and for the World".

"To the demographic winter of Europe, we propose the spring of the natural family. Within the framework of the Congress, a series of initiatives will enable each participant to put his individual faculties to the service of the promotion of the natural family, in respect of our respective competences" underlined the President of the Congress' Organising Committee. The Parliamentary forum, which will be organised on the 11th of May 2007 under the Presidency of the Sejm, assisted by the European Forum for Human Rights and the Family, and with the participation of Panayotopoulos MEP, Zaborska MEP and Carlo Casini MEP, will be the highlight of the Congress.

The seminar, during which Mario Mauro, Ingo Friedrich, Carlo Casini, Anna Zaborska and Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou intervened, enabled Buffetaut, the EESC's rapporteur, to present his opinion on "family and demographic changes". The text, which was elaborated on the request of the German Presidency of the EU, emphasizes that the fight against the damaging effects of climate change requires a broad political coordination on different levels (family, social, economic, environmental policies as well as gender equality policies) which could be implemented by the adoption of a European action plan. In addition, Buffetaut recommended the creation of a "European Family Pact" by the Council, the Parliament and the Commission which would reaffirm the Member States' will to implement family-friendly policies, allowing Europeans to have as many children as they desire. These policies should foster a family-friendly environment by setting a minimum base of public budgets for children and families, direct financial aid, tax adjustments and a sufficient child care facilities. Finally, Buffetaut stressed the necessity to establish a European register of good practices regarding family policies and he insisted on the need for assuring a constant and stable family policy by maintaining financial aid for children.

The resolution, which was adopted at the end of the seminar, recalls the importance of recognising and promoting the role of the family as the founding structure of society through which moral, cultural, spiritual and material values that are vital for intergenerational solidarity and economic and social cohesion are transmitted. The resolution also underlines the importance of family structures for the healthy development of children and underlines that the complementarities between men and women must also be a reality in family life. Finally the text stresses the socio-economic importance of services that are provided for children and the elderly within the family and asks for a better recognition of the qualifications acquired as well as for the provision of social rights, including pensions, for people who take up such responsibilities. It was reminded that in the absence of a binding legal instrument at EU level, article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights should be respected in the implementation of EU policies.

The debate was followed by a joint press conference with Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Anna Zaborska, Stephane Buffetaut (European Economic and Social Committee), Katarzyna Mazela (President of the Organising Committee of the World Congress for Family), the European Foundation and Femina Europa.

For further information:
Maria Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu

PRESS CONFERENCE ON "FAMILIES IN EUROPE"

28/03/2007: Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP (EPP-ED , Greece ), President of the intergroup "Family and protection of childhood" of the European Parliament, will preside over a seminar "What future for the families in Europe?" taking place today, Wednesday, 28 March, in Brussels.

The seminar is organised in the context of preparing the World Congress of Families which will be held in Warsaw 11-13 May. The seminar will also facilitate the adoption of a resolution on the future of families in Europe.

The speakers include three members of the EPP-ED Group: Mario Mauro MEP (Italy ), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Ingo Friedrich MEP (Germany ), President of the movement "Paneuropa Union" and Quaestor of the European Parliament, and José Ribeiro e Castro MEP (Portugal ), as well as Stéphane Buffetaut, rapporteur for family of the Economic and Social Committee.

Two co-organisers, former EPP-ED MEP Elizabeth Montfort, President of "Femina Europa", and Giorgio Salina, President of the Association for the Foundation of Europe, will also speak at this event.

FAMILIES IN EUROPE - WHAT FUTURE? SEMINAR, CHAIRED BY MARIE PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU

16/03/2007: Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, President of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood, will preside over the seminar "What future for the families in Europe?" on 28 March in Brussels.

This seminar is organised in the context of the preparation of the World Congress of Families which will be held in Warsaw 11-13 May. The seminar will also facilitate the adoption of a resolution on the future of families in Europe.

The speakers include three members of the EPP-ED Group: Mario Mauro (Italy), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Ingo Friedrich (Germany), Quaestor of the European Parliament and President of the movement "Paneuropa Union", and José Ribeiro e Castro (Portugal), as well as Stéphane Buffetaut, rapporteur for the family for the Economic and Social Committee.

Two co-organisers, Elizabeth Montfort, President of 'Femina Europa' and former EPP-ED MEP, and Giorgio Salina, President of the Association for the Foundation of Europe, will also deliver speeches at this event.

Interested NGOs are also welcome to participate.

The seminar will take place from 4.30 to 6.30pm in room A5E3 of the European Parliament. There will be a press conference afterwards at 7pm in room PHS 0A50.

For further information:
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447

COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DRAFT REPORT OF MARIE PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU MEP

27/02/2007: Measures to reconcile family life and studies

Experts from a variety of different fields discussed on Tuesday in Brussels measures to facilitate improved reconciliation of family life and studies at a public hearing, which was organised by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality regarding the own-initiative report prepared by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP (EPP-ED, Greece).

The experts participating at the hearing were Vegard Skirbekk, Demographer at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg (Austria), Claudia Menne, Head of the Department for Gender Equality at the DGB (German trade union umbrella organisation), Claudette Abela Baldacchino, Member of the Culture and Education Committee and the Economic and Social Committee of the Committee of the Regions, and Grace Attard, member of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship of the Economic and Social Committee and member of the National Council of Women in Malta.

Mr Skirbekk noted that students with children receive state funding in Norway. He presented statistics that compare motherhood rates of young female students across Europe, revealing that 41 percent of Swedish students give birth to a child before finishing their studies, compared to 31 percent in Finland, 30 percent in Norway, 13 percent in Italy, 12 percent in Greece, Austria and Germany, 9 percent in France and 4 percent in Belgium.

According to Mr Skirbekk, the average age of women giving birth to their first child has been rising continuously since 1975, which is due to the fact that studies last much longer nowadays. For example in Sweden, women have their first child at the average age of 23, if they have a primary school education, compared to women with a university education who have their first child only at the average age of 27.

Mr Skirbekk also compared the fertility rates of women in Eastern and Western Europe according to their level of education between 1995 and 2000: these rates reached between 2,24 percent (women without education) and 1,54 percent (women with an university degree) in Western Europe and between 1,62 percent and 1,15 percent in Eastern Europe.

Mrs Attard emphasized the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy regarding employment rates of women. She noticed that the increased age of women who give birth to their first child is due to a longer period of studies and economic problems.

Mrs Menne stressed that the European economy needs highly-qualified workers and that it is also necessary to support families. The Member States must coordinate their policies and evaluate the results of the measures taken. Mrs Menne stated that female and male students do not have the same aspirations concerning the wish to have a child: a study in Germany found that two female students out of four wish to have a child compared to only one male student out of four. According to her, young male students were less willing to take the risk of starting a family.

A representative of the European Commission has highlighted that she has recently published her report about the application of the Lisbon Strategy and she noted that progress has been made concerning the employment of women and child care facilities. She has also announced that Commissioner Špidla will issue a declaration concerning child care facilities at the Parliamentary Session in March. The regulatory activity of the European Social Fund has been modified so that it can fully contribute to the setting up of child care facilities.

At the end of the debate, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou remarked that the legal competence to undertake measures related to family issues falls under the Member States. The objective of her report is not to privilege a certain group of people, for example students, but to examine measures that can be taken to allow young people to start a family and have as many children as they desire.

THE GERMAN PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES IN THE FIELDS OF DEMOGRAPHY AND THE FAMILY

24/01/2007: Intervention of Mrs Ursula von der Leyen, German Federal Minister for the family, senior citizens, women and youth.

On the invitation of MEP, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, GR), President of the Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood, Mrs Ursula von der Leyen, German Federal Minister for the family, senior citizens, women and youth, presented the priorities of the German presidency in the fields of demography and the family during a meeting that was held on the 23rd of January in the EP in Brussels. The encounter gathered a great number of Members of the EP, representatives of the European Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, NGOs as well as researchers.

The Minister referred to the demographic changes in Europe and to the subsequent challenges at both economic and social level. Given this situation, she indicated that the promotion and the reinforcement of the family as a factor for economic prosperity and social solidarity would be one of the key priorities of the German Presidency. The objective is to create the necessary conditions in order to have families with more children and to increase the number of families within society. To this effect, the Presidency will give particular attention to the conciliation of family and professional life and in particular, to the strengthening of the role of the fathers and the sons in the context of the reinforcement of intergenerational relations. Mrs von der Leyen underlined that gender equality in the labour market depended greatly on the availability of flexible care facilities for dependent persons.

In order to attain the above objectives, Mrs von der Leyen indicated that she would propose, during the Spring European Council, the adoption of a "European Alliance for the Families". The goal of the Alliance will be to exchange ideas and experiences on how societies can adapt to families' needs as well as to elaborate concrete projects without putting into question the sharing of responsibilities between the EU and the Member States. To this end, the Alliance will establish a structured collaboration with all interested parties, including civil society, which will be pursued beyond the German Presidency. In addition, the Minister stressed the importance of collecting reliable data on the situation of families and of elaborating global studies which would help the needs of families to be better taken in to account in national and EU policies.

During the debate, Mr Buffetaut from the Economic and Social Committee presented a study which had been requested by the German Presidency, on "family and demographic change". Minister von der Leyen agreed with the conclusions of the study on the necessity of ensuring the continuity of family measures irrespective of Government changes, and the importance of exchanging best practices in the field of family policies. Following the fears expressed by many participants that children could become instruments in order to solve the demographic problem, Mrs von der Leyen said the goal of the Presidency was to give Europeans the will and courage to have children not because it would help increase birth rates, but because having a family is a source of happiness, solidarity and social cohesion. The Minister also agreed with several MEPs who regretted that the value of family has been undermined in public opinion and indicated that family policies should "give the possibility to live traditional values in a modern world".

IMMIGRATION AND POVERTY: THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON FAMILY AND CHILDREN

14/12/2006: The Intergroup on "Family and Protection of Childhood" in the European Parliament, chaired by Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, GR), organised this Wednesday 13 December, a joint meeting with the "Fourth World Committee" Intergroup presided over by Mr Mendez de Vigo (EPP-ED, ES), on the topic of immigration. The meeting attracted the participation of a great number of MEPs, representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the UNHCR and NGOs

The discussions addressed more specifically the link between immigration and poverty as well as the impact of immigration on family and children. NGO Caritas presented its third report on poverty in Europe which reveals that third country nationals, who represent around 20 million people in the EU, are usually in a less favourable position than EU nationals when it comes to employment, education, training, health, housing and participation in public life. The prevalence of atypical work contracts (part-time, temporary contracts or undeclared labour) for migrants tends to expose them to discrimination and exploitation, thus increasing the risk of social exclusion, marginalisation and poverty. PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation also presented its activities in various European countries for the improvement of living conditions of illegal migrants and ensuring respect of their rights.

Mrs Agnès Hubert, representative of the Bureau of European Policy Advisers of the European Commission (BEPA), indicated that the improvement of the public attitude towards migrants is an essential condition for the promotion of their economic and social integration and a better use of their potential. She underlined that the development of new possibilities for legal migration, family reunification, the reduction of illegal labour and support for youth are fundamental components of this approach. She also mentioned that the role of migrant women, who represent 54% of migrants in the EU, should be further promoted in national migration policies and their economic, social and cultural integration supported. An improved integration of migrant women contributes to a better integration of their children, thus giving them a good impetus for their full participation in society both as contributors and beneficiaries

Mrs Tax from the UNHCR mentioned the increase in child migration, including that of unaccompanied minors, as well as the fragile situation of these children. She insisted on the necessity for States to adopt, at all stages of migration procedures, measures protecting the child's best interests. These measures include the fight against trafficking and exploitation, the suppression of detention centres for minor migrants and their replacement by structures more appropriate to childhood, the appointment of a legal guardian for unaccompanied minors and the establishment of child-sensitive asylum procedures. The development of statistics on child migrants is also fundamental for the formulation of more targeted policies.

Underlining that the integration of children implies their access to education, Mr Attuil from the Cabinet of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe pointed out the bureaucratic difficulties in this field, in particular for undocumented minor migrants. He mentioned that specialised school programs for the integration of migrant children could be adopted in order to enable them to pursue a normal education and prevent the phenomenon of early school-leavers which is on the constant increase.

In the framework of a common European approach on immigration, the two Chairpersons, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou and Mr Mendez de Vigo, expressed their satisfaction regarding the fruitful dialogue that followed the presentation of the various topics relating to poverty, family and children.

THE SITUATION OF LONE PARENT FAMILIES IN THE EU

26/10/2006: The Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood met today in Strasbourg under the chairmanship of Mrs. Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED, GR) to discuss the situation of lone parent families in the EU. The Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Mr Vladimir Spidla, was the keynote speaker of this event in which MEPs, NGO representatives and social partners participated.

The purpose of the meeting was to highlight the socio-economic difficulties faced by lone parent families, which represented in 2001 4.3 million families in the EU-15, as well as to address the potential impact of lone parenthood on the Commission's management of the demographic problem, the conciliation of family and professional life and the labour market.

During his intervention, the Commissioner indicated that the Commission would publish by the end of the year a study on lone parent families which would pay particular attention to the fact that 90% of lone parent families are headed by women. Mr Spidla explained that existing statistics on the extent of lone parenthood are not always a reflection of the reality since on the one hand, there are differing views as to the definition of lone parent families, and on the other hand, the data that has been collected does not cover all the aspects of this family situation. Although sometimes some lone parent families can take advantage of their situation to obtain fiscal, social and other types of advantages, the fact remains that these families are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion and poverty - it is estimated that one out of four lone parent families is poor according to EU criteria. The Commissioner underlined that support for lone parents could not exclusively rely on economic benefits but depended also on broader measures which would deal with the fact that lone parents' poverty is not only economic but also social, cultural and educational.

Mr Spidla pointed out that the Commission, while abiding by its neutral approach to family policies, would study closely the situation of lone parent families and present the Member States' best practices in this field with the purpose of proposing further measures relating both to the integration of these families within society and the labour market as well as to the well-being of children.

During the debate, MEPs and NGO representatives highlighted in particular the problems of exclusion and social integration of these families and their children. Most of them expressed their disappointment with the fact that the Commission does not indicate how to prevent and resolve the phenomenon of lone parent families but merely monitors its development.

FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR EUROPEAN FAMILIES: EU LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER DISCUSSION FOR A REDUCED VAT RATE ON CHILDREN'S DIAPERS

15/09/2006: Following the efforts of MEPs Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou and Mr Ribeiro e Castro for the inclusion of children's diapers in the list of products which could benefit from a reduced VAT rate, the European Commission announced on 19 July, that it would take the necessary steps in order to create a legal basis for the application of reduced VAT to these products.

With this initiative, the Commission could add products to annex H of the 6th VAT Directive or modify its interpretation of the existing ones.

The Commission announcement was preceded by meetings between the two MEPs and Commissioners for taxation and social affairs, Mr Kovacs and Spidla, as well as by several oral questions underlining the necessity to apply the same reduced VAT rate to children's diapers as to adults'. The MEPs had expressed their dismay regarding the unequal taxation treatment of these products which constitute products of first necessity for families.

In its declaration, the Commission indicated that it had sent letters of formal notice to the member states which apply a reduced VAT rate to children's diapers (Malta, Poland, Portugal, Hungary, Czech Republic) in order to obtain additional explanations and information on the basis of which the Commission will examine the possibility to revise annex H of the 6th VAT Directive.

With this decision the Commission clearly shows its commitment to support pro-family policies as a part of the EU's response to demographic challenges and the constant ageing of the population.

Mrs Panayotopoulos and Mr Ribeiro e Castro welcomed the Commission's decision and expressed the hope that the Commission will continue to address favourably the concerns of European families and particularly those facing financial difficulties.

ADULTS AND FAMILY SOLIDARITY: CONCILIATION OF FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE AND RECOGNITION OF INFORMAL WORK

06/07/2006: Within the general discussion on intergenerational relations and their impact on economic and social life, the meeting of the Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood which took place on the 5th of July in the EP in Strasbourg focused on the situation of adults of the so-called " transition generations" identified as those who care both for the young and the elderly. The meeting, which gathered representatives of EU organs, the French Ministry for the Family, civil society and NGOs, enabled exchange of ideas on the one hand, on the way to support the conciliation of professional activities with family life and on the other, on the social, economic and cultural recognition of unpaid family work.

Mrs Noora Heinonen, from the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU presented the activities scheduled for the next six months on the conciliation of family and professional life and stressed that the Presidency would focus on the follow up and implementation of EU legislation on equal opportunities and protection of disadvantaged persons. In addition, she gave an overview of existing Finnish legislation on the matter.

Mr Dominique de Legge, inter-ministerial delegate for the family of the French Government, indicated the new measures adopted by the French Government in favour of families and "family helpers" in order to be able to respond to the new family and social challenges. Among the measures proposed one can find the creation of a family support leave for family helpers, measures for return to the workforce, a solidarity action plan for the very old aiming at establishing temporary housing facilities for the elderly and finally, the granting of loans with no interest rates for young people between 18 and 25 years old to help them enter professional life.

Mrs Maryse Huet who represented the European Commission, recalled the EU legislation and programmes aiming at improving conciliation between family and professional life and a more balanced sharing of obligations between parents. She explained that in addition to family leave and services of care for dependant persons, the European Commission will propose measures in favour, among others, of caring facilities for young children, support for family helpers, creation of a pro-family environment in companies and finally, the diversity of the employment market and the flexibility of working time and professional conditions.

Mrs Marielle Helleputte from the European Federation of Unpaid Carers and Parents at Home (FEFAF) recall the voluntary work which takes place within the family or within associations in favour of children, the elderly and dependent persons plays an important role in safeguarding social stability. She underlined however, that most national legislations relating to the conciliation of family and professional life give priority to employment and put aside persons who wish to chose a lifestyle adapted to their family's needs. Free choice should be promoted through the recognition of the human, cultural, economic, educational and social value of family work. According to Mrs Helleputte, this recognition depends on the opening of pension rights for the parent who stays at home and the provision of help for social reintegration.

Concluding the meeting, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou called on Member States should evaluate the impact of the new responsibilities taken up by adults and adopt social policies in order to enable parents to chose to combine professional and family life or to focus on the latter while enjoying the same social and pension rights as paid workers.

SPOKES IN THE WHEELS OF FAMILIES? JOSÉ RIBEIRO E CASTRO MEP AND MARIE PANAYOTOPOULOS-CASSIOTOU MEP

23/05/2006: "We clearly disagree with the European Commission's interpretation of what is comprised within category 3 of Annex H of the 6th VAT Directive", said José Ribeiro e Castro MEP, President of the Portuguese CDS-People's Party, and Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP after the meeting with László Kovács, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union. The subject of the meeting was the exclusion of baby nappies from the range of products to which a reduced VAT rate can be applied.

Both MEPs agreed that there is an unreasonable and unjustified different treatment between adult incontinence protection and baby nappies. If the Commission stands by its interpretation, this could be regarded as an age-based discrimination for the purpose of article 13 of EC Treaty.

"There are five Member States which have lowered their tax rates - Portugal, Malta, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. We believe that the European institutions - the Council and the Commission in particular - should encourage the other states to follow their example instead of taking measures against them", said José Ribeiro e Castro MEP.

"Baby nappies and adult incontinence pads are made from the same materials, fulfil the same functions and carry equal health benefits. We brought Commissioner Kovács samples of both in order to try to establish the difference... Some legal experts might understand the legal arguments of the Commission services although, as usual, other legal experts disagree. But no-one, no citizen, nobody with common sense, can understand the difference between baby nappies and adult incontinence pads, why they are taxed differently and why baby nappies should have the higher VAT rate", concluded José Ribeiro e Castro MEP.

HOW CAN THE VOICE OF FAMILIES BE HEARD IN EUROPE?

02/05/2006: Following an invitation from the French National Union of Family Associations (UNAF), Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP (EPP-ED, GR), participated in the session of the University of Families on the topic 'How can the voice of families be heard in Europe?' on Wednesday 26 April. The session, which was broadcast live on internet, heard speeches by Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Pierre Strobel, Responsible for the Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (DREES), and Béatrice Houchard, journalist and author of the book 'The family, a new idea in Europe'.

Whilst recalling the absence of a European policy for the family, the interactive debate underlined the impact that European decisions can have on the lives of families, the consequences of mobility on the family environment and the measures that should be taken to facilitate the free movement of workers and their families. In addition, the discussions focused on ways to take into account the needs of families, including more participation from Family Organisations in the decision-making processes. In this regard, participants highlighted the necessity for a better organisation of the COFACE (Confederation of Family Organisations of the EU) and a more dynamic participation in European fora and institutions.

In her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos recalled the necessity of better integration of the family dimension both in national and European policies and stressed that only horizontal policies of support and valorisation of the family could help alleviate the long-term consequences of demographic ageing and the socio-economic challenges it creates.

The renewal of generations could help strengthen intergenerational solidarity and increase the potential of growth by providing a new dynamism to European development and competitiveness. It would, in the long term, be the answer to the problem of the pensions systems' financing. To this effect, Mrs Panayotopoulos underlined that family policies should accompany families in their desire for children by providing, among others, a favourable social and labour environment (flexible working hours, increased maternity protection, appropriate parental leave, services of care, favourable taxation measures etc).

Finally, Mrs Panayotopoulos presented the activities of the Intergroup on 'Family and Protection of Childhood', which she chairs in the European Parliament, and explained the contribution of the Intergroup to the promotion of the interests and the defence of the rights of families and children in the EU.

The conference ended with a question and answer session with internet users who had followed the speeches and debates online. Anyone interested in the conference debates, can find them on the UNAF internet site