HRF signs the F7 brought to the G7

Led by FAFCE, seven prominent organisations from the seven G7 countries (Canada, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, and Japan) signed the Family 7, a statement recognising the important role of families and homes in society, which was presented at the G7 Equal Opportunities Summit on 4-6 October in Matera, Italy.

At the end of September, FAFCE President Vincenzo Bassi and Forum delle Associazioni Familiari President Adriano Bordignon hand-delivered the statement to the Italian Minister for Family, Birth and Equal Opportunities, Eugenia Roccella, who declared that “the F7 is an important contribution, both in terms of equal opportunities and the closely related issues of family and demography. Women’s empowerment, and in particular the freedom of women to realise their aspirations without perceiving career and motherhood as incompatible options, is the challenge we are facing’. She added: ‘I thank the F7 for focusing on these issues and I hope that the Matera summit will provide new ideas for action and reflection.”

The document calls for international recognition of the family for its vital role in society and offers policies related to women’s economic participation, unpaid care work, demographics, sustainable development and social inclusion.

FAFCE’s key priority is the demographic crisis, which has led to a culture of loneliness and generational imbalance. Its president, Vincenzo Bassi sees the F7 as “an unprecedented contribution to the G7 as the role of the family as the basic cell of society is even more important in this disastrous demographic winter. The plummeting birth rate and the increasing ageing of society have a major impact on finances, pension systems and social cohesion. The response must prioritise intergenerational solidarity, which starts with the family. Stronger families will help current and future generations to prepare for a more sustainable future.”

The signatories of the F7 are The Institute for Family Studies – USA, Family Enrichment, IFFD – Canada, Home Renaissance Foundation – UK, Familienbund der Katholiken – Germany, Confédération nationale des Associations Familiales Catholiques – France, Forum delle Associazioni Familiari – Italy, Japan Family Development Association – Japan and leading this initiative is FAFCE – Fédération des Associations Familiales Catholiques en Europe.

You can read the F7 here.