Welcome
Novák Katalin
In Hungary we profess that family is the first. Family is the defining milieu that fundamentally determines the individual’s character, their life’s beginning and even their whole life, and at the same time it is a community, that is the building block of our nations. For us family simultaneously means the respect and preservation of children, parents and grandparents, our mother earth and continent, our Judeo-Christian tradition and culture. The place of remembrance and care is in the family. It’s a community that teaches us about our past and embraces us for our future.
The enlightening and thriving humanity is facing several challenges. How can we preserve and pass on values, and protect the next generations from known dangers? How can our children be happier, more successful and more efficient than their parents? How shall we learn from past mistakes and be able to face the future? Several ways, possibilities can be chosen.. There are good and bad answers. Families might be a good one, efficient and a positive answer. If families are stronger, the nation they are part of may be stronger too. The family is a suitable environment to learn from elders and share our experiences with future generations. Families can develop, enrich and strengthen. They teach us to respect one another, and they instruct unity and the power of community. It serves to facilitate the persistence of humans and their communities.
In the last few decades we have been facing changes we had not experienced before. Arising challenges regarding families, attempts to transform this basic community may affect the quality and direction of development.
At the third Budapest Demographic Summit we ask questions, and present possible solutions.
The more we understand how immense technological development and transforming media may benefit families, the more we can prepare for spiritual and social challenges affecting our communities and the more we understand the demographic aspects of global economic competition, the more we are able to ensure to competitiveness of families, this basic spiritual, intellectual, economic and biological community.
Demographic challenges are vastly different across the globe. There are countries, and even continents where the population is rapidly expanding, and in the long run (and even now) strains the capacities of the area. In other places – like in Europe – nations are unable to compensate for their demographic losses, not enough children are born to maintain their population. At the same time advanced and thriving industry, the accustomed wealth brought by hard work and the ever aging community all require a workforce, a financial contributor. The question is whether these countries are capable or even want to be capable of changing.
Our answer is: yes. Yes to families and persistency. We believe that abundance of nations and cultures are the true wealth of the world and that with enough determination we will be able to preserve this world. We are preparing in this spirit for the third Budapest Demographic Summit.
Sincerely,
NOVÁK KATALIN
Event concept
After 2015 and 2017, the Budapest Demographic Summit (5th and 6th September, Budapest) will beheld
for the third time as a prestigious international forum that gives an opportunity for political
actors, decision-makers, church and civilian leaders and representatives of the scientific community
to share their ideas and experiences with each other.
Demographic processes fundamentally determine our future. Overpopulation and the threat of the
disappearance of shrinking and aging nations create challenges for our communities; therefore
demographic issues need to be discussed openly.
At the turn of the 20th and 21th centuries we face an unprecedented phenomenon: certain nations seem
to have renounced their future. Not enough children are born, cradles are empty. In other parts of
the world demographic growth takes place: several nations double or even multiply their population
in just a few decades. There are those, who see an opportunity in these parallel processes and would
channel the demographic surplus of the thriving nations to countries with shrinking population.
However, there are those – among them Hungary – who say that they are capable of changing these
trends and bringing an end to population decline relying on their own resources. This is a difficult
challenge that requires strong families and an effective family policy.
We announced a family friendly turn in Hungary in 2010 and nowadays more and more countries think
alike. However, similar values and family-focused attitudes do not mean uniformity: different
countries have developed diverse solutions and good practices. A high-level conference such as the
Budapest Demographic Summit provides an excellent opportunity for the stakeholders involved to think
together and learn from each other.
The unique “Hungarian model” means a value driven and family-centred policy. Among others, we have
included the protection of family, marriage and childbearing in the Constitution of Hungary, we have
doubled the state budget for families in ten years and we have established an objective to stop the
population decline not by mass immigration but by strengthening the Hungarian families.
Thanks to its success, our model has attracted more and more attention from our foreign partners and
we are eager to share our experiences and to learn from others as well.
In the Budapest Demographic Summit, along with the Prime Minister of Hungary, several heads of
state, church leaders, decision-makers, experts, economic actors, representatives of the media and
non-governmental organizations give lectures, share their thoughts about the role of family in
managing demographic processes, the impact of family and population policies on competitiveness,
sustainability and developing future strategies.
We live in a changing and altering time, when decisions need to be made on how we imagine the new
way of coexistence that determines our future. Families, the cornerstones of society are
strengthened and thus the current unfavourable demographic processes become manageable or individual
interests overcome community aspects endangering the future of nations, peoples and families. The
stakes are high, common thinking and cooperation is the way forward for which the Budapest
Demographic Summit provides an outstanding space.
From September 2015 the age of starting compulsory kindergarten attendance was shifted from the age of 5 to the age of 3. This is important because the system of public education can eliminate the severe underdevelopment of underprivileged children. As a result, children from underprivileged socio-cultural backgrounds can start school with equal opportunities. It is important to emphasize that one of the prerequisites for getting family allowance is kindergarten attendance. As a result, the number of children attending kindergarten has increased.
On 1 July, 2015 the Family Housing Allowance (CSOK) replaced the former “social housing subsidy”. As a novelty CSOK can be claimed by one-child families, also for buying a used flat or for expanding existing flats. The claimable amounts have been increased since 2016. In addition, the eligibility conditions have also been simplified. From 2018 the application process has been further simplified. InJuly 2019 the Village CSOK was introduced as part of the Family Protection Action Plan.
The Job Protection Action Plan, which took effect on January 1, 2013, reduces employers' wage costs in case of employing the most vulnerable workers. It makes employers interested in hiring or retaining parents with young children returning to work from home childcare. From 2014 we extended the original three-year discounts for another two years for large families. The employer, if requested by the employee with young children, is obliged to provide part-time work until the child reaches the age of 3. The Labour Code provides several alternatives for employment, which includes fixed or flexible work pattern, or – where appropriate –individual work schedule.
Following the numerouspositive initiatives and undeniable results of the family-friendly turnaround since 2010, the 2018 Year of Families meant even more support, new family-friendly initiatives (family-friendly brand system, family-friendly maternities, family-friendly higher education), quality family programs, effective communication and the strengthening of a family-friendly attitude.
The reconciliation of the two most important areas of everyday life such as family andwork is a fundamental objective in Hungary to implement social equality between women and men and also for other social and economic reasons. The harmonisation and interdependence of the two areas have a major impact on demographic indicators and the level of employment. A number of government measures have been taken to reconcile work and family life, which means that women no longer have to choose between establishing a family and building a career (for example GYED Extra Measures, Job Protection Actions, Improvement of Nursing Care, Part-Time Employment). In recent years, the Government has also taken several measures aimed at increasing the involvement of fathers in the upbringing of children. These measures respect and help families to endorse their freedom to choose according to their subjective life situation.
Child catering is a type of benefits in kind which is available free if certain conditions
are met.
Since the introduction of free institutional child catering children from
families with 3 or more children and children from families in need can have free meals in
the nursery or kindergarten. For the catering of children living in large families and
attending primary and secondary schools, parents have to pay only 50% of the catering fee.
Currently, the parents of children in large families and those who are severely ill or
disabled are entitled for free catering in addition to the parents of children in need of
regular child protection benefits and those with families that have a net income per capita
of less than 130 per cent of the minimum wage.
Based on the provision introduced as of 01 January, 2018, the suspension/diminution/removal of student loan is available in case of having children. For female students, the repayment of the student loan is suspended when becoming pregnant with the first child, from the third month of the pregnancy 3 year long. After the birth of the second child, 50% of the remaining debt is cancelled. After the birth of the third child, the total remaining debt can be written off.
Representing family values in public education is inseparable from general education because
it affects the whole person. It should not be taught primarily as a school subject but our
goal is that young people should become mature and capable of making decisions in all
respects.
Besides the protection of physical health, mental health needs to be
emphasized, and even more so in some respects, because the spiritual aspects of family life
should be discussed more often at a level accessible for everyone.
Nursery care is prospering in Hungary. In 2018 17.5% of the 0-2 year-olds were provided with nursery care, which was the highest rate ever in the Hungarian nursery history. This number will further increase in the next period. As part of the Family Protection Action Plan 21,000 new nursery places will be provided until 2022; therefore all parents of young children can place their children in nurseries if they wish .
In 2015 the First Marriage Benefit was introduced as a tax base reducing measure. With the help of this benefit a couple can validate HUF 5,000 tax reduction per month. In 2017 we further refined the action. As a result, every newly-wed couple can benefit from the allowance for two years, even couples who have children in the meantime.
The family tax and contribution benefit are available anytime reducing the taxpayer’s consolidated tax and contribution base. This type of benefit is available for parents expecting their first child or for those who are eligible for family allowance after their born child . We doubled the family allowance introduced in 2011 in case of 1 or 2 children. It remained unchanged in case of 3 or more children. From 2014 the family tax benefit can also be deducted from the pension and health care contributions besides personal income tax.
The Elizabeth Program is the largest summer holiday program for children. Since 2012 a total of about 600,000 children participated in camps organized by the Elizabeth Program with more than 126,000 camper children in 2018 including students from over the border, too. .
From 2010 we also place a great emphasis on supporting single-parent families. This is the direction we want to continue in the future. Due to their situation , they are entitled to extra support to help them manage their daily lives more easily. Single-parent families also have the option to apply for CSOK. In addition, several elements of the Family Protection Action Plan are available for them.
Currently, up to first grade of high school (first nine years of public school) textbooks are free for all students. From next September every student will receive free textbooks (grades 1-12) in public education. For large families, however, textbooks are available free of charge in all grades of public education. The state grants aid to the educational institutions.
When someone opens so called Start securities account Young Life Startup Support goes directly to that. It is granted automatically to all newborns of Hungarian nationality residing in Hungary. Further inpayments onto the account are subject to state subsidy. The securities account is maintained from birth to adulthood. The account can be opened any time up to the child’s age of 18.
According to Article XV of the Constitution, Hungary protects families, children, women, the elderly and the disabled people with special measures. Hungarian women's policy focuses on reconciling family life and work-life in order to eliminate obstacles to childbirth and ensure the birth of the desired, planned children. The reconciliation of the two most important areas of daily life, the family and the profession, is a fundamental objective which is not only fundamental for the achievement of social equality between women and men but also for other social and economic aspects in Hungary.
As a result of the recent national consultation, the government has been authorized to take further measures to protect families. Therefore, from 2019-2020 we provide support for young people having children and help in their housing plans within the framework of the Action Plan. Due to the expansion of CSOK more people can obtain used flats. We expand the scope of support provided for mortgages, in addition, mothers with 4 or more children get life-long personal income tax exemption. Large families can get support to buy new cars, the development of nurseries continues, while from 2020, grandparents will be entitled to GYED.
From 2011 the total amount of old-age pension for women having a 40-year entitlement period was introduced without age restriction. Women entering the program worked hard for decades. The majority of them brought up one or more children and as a sign of recognition by the society and the government they are entitled to the total amount of the old-age pension. The "Women 40" program is for those women who wish to retire before the official retirement age and are entitled to retirement after 40 years of eligibility to spend more time with their families.
Since 2010 instead of 2 years families are entitled to childcare benefit (GYES) until the child’s age of 3. In the case of twin children this benefit is provided until the end of the year of compulsory schooling, and in the case of a permanently ill or severely disabled child until the child is 10 years old. After the child turns year one, grandparents can also claim the benefits with the consent of the parents.
From September 2015 the age of starting compulsory kindergarten attendance was shifted from the age of 5 to the age of 3. This is important because the system of public education can eliminate the severe underdevelopment of underprivileged children. As a result, children from underprivileged socio-cultural backgrounds can start school with equal opportunities. It is important to emphasize that one of the prerequisites for getting family allowance is kindergarten attendance. As a result, the number of children attending kindergarten has increased.
On 1 July, 2015 the Family Housing Allowance (CSOK) replaced the former “social housing subsidy”. As a novelty CSOK can be claimed by one-child families, also for buying a used flat or for expanding existing flats. The claimable amounts have been increased since 2016. In addition, the eligibility conditions have also been simplified. From 2018 the application process has been further simplified. InJuly 2019 the Village CSOK was introduced as part of the Family Protection Action Plan.
The Job Protection Action Plan, which took effect on January 1, 2013, reduces employers' wage costs in case of employing the most vulnerable workers. It makes employers interested in hiring or retaining parents with young children returning to work from home childcare. From 2014 we extended the original three-year discounts for another two years for large families. The employer, if requested by the employee with young children, is obliged to provide part-time work until the child reaches the age of 3. The Labour Code provides several alternatives for employment, which includes fixed or flexible work pattern, or – where appropriate –individual work schedule.
Following the numerouspositive initiatives and undeniable results of the family-friendly turnaround since 2010, the 2018 Year of Families meant even more support, new family-friendly initiatives (family-friendly brand system, family-friendly maternities, family-friendly higher education), quality family programs, effective communication and the strengthening of a family-friendly attitude.
The reconciliation of the two most important areas of everyday life such as family andwork is a fundamental objective in Hungary to implement social equality between women and men and also for other social and economic reasons. The harmonisation and interdependence of the two areas have a major impact on demographic indicators and the level of employment. A number of government measures have been taken to reconcile work and family life, which means that women no longer have to choose between establishing a family and building a career (for example GYED Extra Measures, Job Protection Actions, Improvement of Nursing Care, Part-Time Employment). In recent years, the Government has also taken several measures aimed at increasing the involvement of fathers in the upbringing of children. These measures respect and help families to endorse their freedom to choose according to their subjective life situation.
Child catering is a type of benefits in kind which is available free if certain
conditions are met.
Since the introduction of free institutional child catering
children from families with 3 or more children and children from families in need can
have free meals in the nursery or kindergarten. For the catering of children living in
large families and attending primary and secondary schools, parents have to pay only 50%
of the catering fee. Currently, the parents of children in large families and those who
are severely ill or disabled are entitled for free catering in addition to the parents
of children in need of regular child protection benefits and those with families that
have a net income per capita of less than 130 per cent of the minimum wage.
Based on the provision introduced as of 01 January, 2018, the suspension/diminution/removal of student loan is available in case of having children. For female students, the repayment of the student loan is suspended when becoming pregnant with the first child, from the third month of the pregnancy 3 year long. After the birth of the second child, 50% of the remaining debt is cancelled. After the birth of the third child, the total remaining debt can be written off.
Representing family values in public education is inseparable from general education
because it affects the whole person. It should not be taught primarily as a school
subject but our goal is that young people should become mature and capable of making
decisions in all respects.
Besides the protection of physical health, mental health
needs to be emphasized, and even more so in some respects, because the spiritual aspects
of family life should be discussed more often at a level accessible for everyone.
Nursery care is prospering in Hungary. In 2018 17.5% of the 0-2 year-olds were provided with nursery care, which was the highest rate ever in the Hungarian nursery history. This number will further increase in the next period. As part of the Family Protection Action Plan 21,000 new nursery places will be provided until 2022; therefore all parents of young children can place their children in nurseries if they wish .
In 2015 the First Marriage Benefit was introduced as a tax base reducing measure. With the help of this benefit a couple can validate HUF 5,000 tax reduction per month. In 2017 we further refined the action. As a result, every newly-wed couple can benefit from the allowance for two years, even couples who have children in the meantime.
The family tax and contribution benefit are available anytime reducing the taxpayer’s consolidated tax and contribution base. This type of benefit is available for parents expecting their first child or for those who are eligible for family allowance after their born child . We doubled the family allowance introduced in 2011 in case of 1 or 2 children. It remained unchanged in case of 3 or more children. From 2014 the family tax benefit can also be deducted from the pension and health care contributions besides personal income tax.
The Elizabeth Program is the largest summer holiday program for children. Since 2012 a total of about 600,000 children participated in camps organized by the Elizabeth Program with more than 126,000 camper children in 2018 including students from over the border, too. .
From 2010 we also place a great emphasis on supporting single-parent families. This is the direction we want to continue in the future. Due to their situation , they are entitled to extra support to help them manage their daily lives more easily. Single-parent families also have the option to apply for CSOK. In addition, several elements of the Family Protection Action Plan are available for them.
Currently, up to first grade of high school (first nine years of public school) textbooks are free for all students. From next September every student will receive free textbooks (grades 1-12) in public education. For large families, however, textbooks are available free of charge in all grades of public education. The state grants aid to the educational institutions.
When someone opens so called Start securities account Young Life Startup Support goes directly to that. It is granted automatically to all newborns of Hungarian nationality residing in Hungary. Further inpayments onto the account are subject to state subsidy. The securities account is maintained from birth to adulthood. The account can be opened any time up to the child’s age of 18.
According to Article XV of the Constitution, Hungary protects families, children, women, the elderly and the disabled people with special measures. Hungarian women's policy focuses on reconciling family life and work-life in order to eliminate obstacles to childbirth and ensure the birth of the desired, planned children. The reconciliation of the two most important areas of daily life, the family and the profession, is a fundamental objective which is not only fundamental for the achievement of social equality between women and men but also for other social and economic aspects in Hungary.
As a result of the recent national consultation, the government has been authorized to take further measures to protect families. Therefore, from 2019-2020 we provide support for young people having children and help in their housing plans within the framework of the Action Plan. Due to the expansion of CSOK more people can obtain used flats. We expand the scope of support provided for mortgages, in addition, mothers with 4 or more children get life-long personal income tax exemption. Large families can get support to buy new cars, the development of nurseries continues, while from 2020, grandparents will be entitled to GYED.
From 2011 the total amount of old-age pension for women having a 40-year entitlement period was introduced without age restriction. Women entering the program worked hard for decades. The majority of them brought up one or more children and as a sign of recognition by the society and the government they are entitled to the total amount of the old-age pension. The "Women 40" program is for those women who wish to retire before the official retirement age and are entitled to retirement after 40 years of eligibility to spend more time with their families.
Since 2010 instead of 2 years families are entitled to childcare benefit (GYES) until the child’s age of 3. In the case of twin children this benefit is provided until the end of the year of compulsory schooling, and in the case of a permanently ill or severely disabled child until the child is 10 years old. After the child turns year one, grandparents can also claim the benefits with the consent of the parents.
- Financial support
- Support through services
- Family friendly approach
Family policy measures
2010 
2019 Doubled budgetary resources for family support - 4.8% of the GDP
2018 Total fertility rate +22%, increased from 1.23 to 1.49
2018 Women employment rate increased by 24%, from 50.2% to 62.3%
2017 Number of the marriages increased by 42.4%
2018 Number of abortions decreased by 33.5%
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32.000 EUR subsidy for young married couples
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State supported loan for housing
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Decrease of mortage loan at the arrival of children
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Personal income tax exeption for mothers with 4 or more children
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Car purchase support for large families
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Nursery developement program
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Grandparents become eligible for subsidized parental leave
Videos of family protection
Venue
Speakers
Aleksandar Vučić
Aleksandar Vučić
President, Republic of Serbia
Aleksandar Vučić has been the president of the Republic of Serbia since 31 May, 2017. After leaving the Serbian Radical Party in 2008 he became one of the founders of the populist conservative Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and has been the Chairman of the party since 2012. Before becoming his country’s president, he was Deputy Prime Minister from 2014 to 2016 and Prime Minister of Serbia from 2016 to 2017. He is married with three children.
He graduated from the University Of Belgrade Faculty Of Law. He studied English in Brighton then he worked as a retailer in London. On his return to Yugoslavia he started to work as a journalist for Pale in Bosnia-Hercegovina. He joined the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) in 1993, then in the 1993 elections he was elected to the National Assembly. Two years later, at the age of 24 he became the Minister of Defence from 2012 to 2013. To solve his country’s demographic challenges he introduced extensive family support measures.
Andrej Babiš
Andrej Babiš
Prime Minister, Czech Republic
Andrej Babiš has been the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic since 2017, the founder and leader of the ANO 2011 Party since 2012. Prior to his political career he was a successful businessman. He graduated from the Bratislava University of Economics with MA in international trade. After graduation he joined the Chemapol Bratislava international trade company and was appointed as the company’s representative in Morocco in 1985. He became the managing director of the Agrofert Company in January 1993, later the owner of it. He entered the political arena in 2012 as the founder of the ANO 2011 Party. Despite the fact that it was an unknown party, it was very successful at the 2013 elections and became the runner-up only 3 seats behind the winner ČSSD. From 2014 to 2017 he was the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister. The ANO 2011 won the 2017 elections, Andrej Babiš was appointed Prime Minister and a week later he formed a minority government. He is the first prime minister in the Czech history who did not come from the ODS or the ČSSD Parties. He is married with four children.
Similarly to the Hungarian government, the Czech government intends to strengthen family policy, extend social benefits and raise pension. Above all, they wish to ensure the safety of the Czech people; therefore, they constantly refuse EU’s refugee policy.
Andy Harris
Andy Harris
Congressman, United States of America
Dr. Andy Harris was born in New York to parents who immigrated from Ukraine and Hungary after World War II. Maryland’s First Congressional District first elected Andy to serve in the House of Representatives in 2010. He serves on the Committee on Appropriations and he is the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Pro-Life Caucus. As a strong pro-family advocate, he has received numerous awards during his legislative career from pro-family organizations, including the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family.
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Anna Nagy
Anna Nagy
President, Single Parents Center, Hungary
Anna Nagy is a communication expert, journalist and former government spokesperson. She has been the Chairperson of the Board of the One Parent Foundation and the founder of the Budapest One Parent Centre.
Antoine Renard
Antoine Renard
President, Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe
Antoine Renard has held several management positions in international context. He is currently a member of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE). He was President of the National Confederation of Catholic Family Associations (CNAFC) from 2007 to 2014 and since 2009 he is the President of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE).
Balázs Orbán
Balázs Orbán
(mod.) Deputy Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Hungary
Balázs Orbán is Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Hungary and Under-secretary for Parliament and Strategy. He graduated as a lawyer at the Law Faculty of Eötvös Loránd University in 2009, as a political scientist in 2011 and as a certified codifier LL.M. at the Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Law and Political Sciences in 2014. He started his career at the Ministry of Justice in 2009, then he worked as a research director at the Századvég Fondation (economic research institute) between 2013 and 2018 where he was responsible for public law and politics research. Since 2015 he has been the leader of the Migration Research Institute, which was established by Századvég Foundation and Mathias Corvinus Collegium.
Bence Rétvári
Bence Rétvári
Deputy Minister, Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Bence Rétvári is the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Human Capacities, Deputy Minister. He graduated as a lawyer from Pázmány Péter Catholic University Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. He worked as a lawyer and legal adviser. He has been a member of parliament since 2008. From 2002 to 2010 he was the Chairman of the Christian Democrat Youth Association (IKSZ). He has been Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice since 2010, and Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Human Capacities since 2014.
Béla Kató
Béla Kató
Bishop, Transylvanian District of the Reformed Church
Béla Kató has been the Bishop of the Transylvanian District of the Reformed Church. His theological studies were completed in Kolozsvár and Nagyszeben, then he served as a minister in Cófalva and Illyefalva. In Illyefalva he established a children’s village with his wife to raise numerous children throughout the years. He provided further education and professional development for many young families within the support of LAM Foundation. He was the Bishop’s Deputy for the Transylvanian District of the Reformed Church, and the Bishop since 2012. He has been the president of the Sapientia Foundation. During his presidency the district has managed to preserve the Transylvanian Hungarian intellectual and religious heritage in addition to the significant development in infrastructure and reformation.
Bożena Borys-Szopa
Bożena Borys-Szopa
Minister, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Republic of Poland
Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, lawyer, Member of the Polish Parliament. From 2006 to 2008, she was the chief labour inspector. From November 1, 2008, she was an adviser to the President of the Republic of Poland for social affairs,contacts with social partners, labour law as well as occupational health and safety. She also held the position of Undersecretary of State at the Chancellery of President Lech Kaczyński.
Csaba Azurák
Csaba Azurák
communications expert, journalist, Hungary
Csaba Azurák is a communicational expert, a former editor- reporter of the Hungarian Radio and later a presenter, chief editor and news director of channel TV2. He has worked on news and report programs as well as on public interview programs. As a communicational expert he regularly gives trainings and motivational speeches.
Csaba Böjte
Csaba Böjte
Franciscan friar, Founder of the Saint Francis Foundation of Deva
I was born on 24 January, 1959 in Kolozsvár. My father was a poet who became the victim of the freedom of speech in the prison of the communist dictatorship. I was brought up in Székelyföld, graduated in 1978 and five years later entered the Franciscan order, from where I was sent to the Theology of Gyulafehérvár by my prefect. I started my clerical and monastic life in 1989, in the last year of the communism. The economic recession affected not only the Romanian government but many families as well. To help the begging, hungry children we established the Saint Franciscan Foundation, which has supported more than 6000 children for shorter or longer periods in the last 25 years. I believe and declare that God does not create any waste and we are capable of building the Kingdom of God in ourselves and around us with love and goodness.
Csaba Dömötör
Csaba Dömötör
Deputy Minister, Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister, Hungary
Csaba Dömötör is the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister and a member of parliament. His main responsibilities include governmental communication and parliamentary coordination. Formerly he worked in the European Parliament and was the president of the Youth of the European People’s Party association. He is married and has three daughters.
Damares Regina Alves
Damares Regina Alves
Minister, Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights, Federative Republic of Brazil
Damares Regina Alves, Minister of Women, Family and Human Rights, Federative Re- public of Brazil.
Dwight Stitt
Dwight Stitt
Founder of the Nonprofit Organization ’Fathers fighting for Their Children’s hearts’, United States of America
Dwight Stitt is a Market Manager for Tommy Hilfiger and President and Founder of “Fathers Fighting for Their Children’s Hearts (f3TCh).” A nonprofit organization that helps children rebuild and fortify lifelong bonds with their father. He is on a mission to make a global impact on fatherhood just as he has done within his own community.
Dr. Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen
Dr. Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen
Hungary’s Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta
He was born in Munich in 1967 as the descendant of the Hungarian branch of the Habsburg dynasty. He is married and a father or six. He is a qualified philosopher and theologist. He has worked as a journalist, producer, screenwriter, presenter, and bishop’s spokesman in Germany and Austria. He is the chief communicator of the Habsburg family. He has been Hungary’s Ambassador to the Holy See and Sovereign Military Order of Malta since 2015.
Emilie Kao
Emilie Kao
Director, DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society of Heritage Foundation, United States of America
Emilie Kao is Director of the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation. She has defended international religious freedom at the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations. She taught international human rights law at George Mason University Law School and graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
Erzsébet Schäffer
Erzsébet Schäffer
Pulitzer Prize winner journalist, Hungary
Journalist. She was born on 9 May, 1948 in Ercsi. She has a high school diploma in economy. She worked as a factory underworker and as a theatre artist. She completed the MUOsz Journalist School in 1972. She has been the editor of the periodical Our child since 1974. She has been a chief publicist of Nők Lapja (Women’s Journal). Her unique publications take us on a journey from soul to soul.
Frank Füredi
Frank Füredi
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Senior Research Fellow, XXI Century Institute, Budapest
Author and social commentator is an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Senior Research Fellow at the XXIst Century Institute, Budapest. Author of more than 20 books, in recent times, Furedi’s studies have been devoted to an exploration of the developments that have led to the politicisation of culture and the constant conflict over values.
Gaila Matulyte
Gaila Matulyte
Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Republic of Lithuania
Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Republic of Lithuania. Areas of interest include protection of children's rights, family and youth policy, development of non-governmental organizations, regional development. Politician, youth work expert, therapist, suicides‘ prevention expert.
Dr. George Blair-West
Dr. George Blair-West
Psychiatrist, physician, writer, Australia
Dr George Blair-West is a researcher, physician and psychiatrist specialising in relationship and sex therapy in Australia. He has published three books - a best seller, an award winner and a children’s book. His TED talk (with over 2.5 million views) summarises some of the key research findings on relationship success. In 2020 his fourth book will be published on how to choose a marriage partner.
Dr. Gabriella Vukovich
Dr. Gabriella Vukovich
President, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Hungary
Dr. Gabriella Vukovich has been the president of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office since 2010. Her main field as a statistician is demography. She has a significant international role as well: she is the vice-president of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) and the Hungarian representative of the UN’s Statistical Committee, co-chair of the UN’s 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Objectives monitoring, coordinating and developing strategical group.
Imants Parādnieks
Imants Parādnieks
Advisor of the Prime Minister, Republic of Latvia
background as former Parliament member and active member of Prime Minister’s Office in the capacity of Adviser on demographic affairs is of significant advantage for promotion of innovative ideas and absorption of best practices.
As experienced politician and father, Imants comprehends the importance of child’s wellbeing, emotional comfort and meeting the development needs.
Imre Bedő
Imre Bedő
President, Men’s Club, Hungary
Imre Bedő is the founder of the Men’s Club with significant media presence and 150 000 followers. He is an economist, a bank expert, a top manager and entrepreneur. His men motivating organization was founded to strengthen the basic morals, family and society. He is the author of the success books ’Man energy’ and ’The reliable man’.
Ivica Bošnjak
Ivica Bošnjak
Deputy Minister of State, Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Republic of Croatia
Assistant Minister in the Ministry for Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy of the Republic of Croatia, is involved in designing, monitoring and coordinating family, population and migration policies, national strategies and documents related to demographic development, the welfare of families, children and young people.
Jaime Mayor Oreja
Jaime Mayor Oreja
Former Minister of the Interior and Former Member of the European Parliament, President of One of Us Federation, Kingdom of Spain
Born in San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain on July 12, 1951, he is an agricultural engineer. He is currently President of the Values and Society Foundation and of the European Federation "One of Us" for the defense of life and dignity human.
Prof. Dr. József Mészáros
Prof. Dr. József Mészáros
President, Hungarian State Treasury, Hungary
Prof. Dr. József Mészáros is a mathematician and sociologist. He teaches game theory at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. From 1998 to 2002 he was Deputy Director-General at the Central Administration of National Pension Insurance, later Director-General of the institution from 2010. From 2017 he is the Director of the Hungarian State Treasury. His main research areas include society statistics, game theory, theory of rational decisions and their application for analysing social problems like pension insurance. He is the author of more than ten books and several scientific articles.
József Steinbach
József Steinbach
Bishop, Transdanubian District of the Reformed Church, Hungary
József Steinbach (born in 1964, Veszprém) is married with two adult daughters. Minister of the Balatonalmádi-Balatonfűzfői Reformed Church and the Bishop of the Transdanubian District of the Reformed Church, President of the Ecumenical Council of Churhes in Hungary. He has published 50 books and several articles.
Katalin Kardosné Gyurkó
Katalin Kardosné Gyurkó
President, National Association of Large Families, Hungary
She has been the president of the Hungarian National Association of Large Families (NOE), former secretary general. She is an economist and business manager. She is the mother of five. Besides the NOE Award her work was honoured by the Hungarian Gold Cross in 2014. In May 2018 she was given the Pro Familiis Award for her exceptional expertise and hard work for family protection.
Katalin Novák
Katalin Novák
Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Mrs Katalin Novák is the Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs, vice president of the FIDESZ Hungarian Civic Alliance, wife, mother of three children, developer of the govermental Family-Friendly brand, passionate runner, member of the parliament. Studied law and economics. As Minister of State of the Ministry of Human Capacities Mrs Novák is responsible for shaping the hungarian model to face the demographic challenges on the path towards a family-friendly Hungary.
Kevin Andrews
Kevin Andrews
Member of the House of Representatives, Former Minister, Commonwealth of Australia
The Hon. Kevin Andrews MP has been a member of the Australian Parliament since 1991. He served in the Cabinet of Prime Minister’s John Howard and Tony Abbott, most recently as the Australian Minister for Defence. Kevin is the author of a number of books, including Maybe ‘I do’ - modern marriage and the pursuit of happiness. Kevin and Margaret have five children and three grandchildren.
Kinga Gál
Kinga Gál
Member of the European Parliament, Hungary
Kinga Gál has been a Member of the European Parliament and the Vice-president of the European People’s Party. Being the mother of four sons she has always been dedicated to protect children’s rights. Her aim is the represent family as a value in the stage of European politics. She has had a long cooperation with the Hungarian National Large Family Association (NOE in Hungarian), which nominated her for the European Citizenship Award.
László Kövér
László Kövér
Speaker, National Assembly, Hungary
Speaker of the National Assembly since August 6, 2010, he was re-elected on May 8, 2018.
László Palkovics
László Palkovics
Minister for Innovation and Technology
He works as the head of the strongest ministry in Hungary’s economic history to sustain long-term economic development and the improvement of Hungarian families’ living standard through the reconstruction of Hungarian economy with focus on innovation.
Lea Danilson-Järg
Lea Danilson-Järg
Head of Department, Family Policy and Population Department, Ministry of the Interior, Republic of Estonia
An expert in demography and family policy. Has worked as an editor of demography section of Postimees, a leading Estonian daily newspaper. Also has done research for Estonian Fertility Research NGO and organized social campaigns „Three Children Bring More Joy“ and „Every Child is a Gift".
Leonids Mucenieks
Leonids Mucenieks
Chairman, Union of Latvian Large Families Associations
Founder of the National Large Families Association in Latvia 28 years ago and its current Chairman.
The Board member of the European Large Families Confederation. The initiator of establishing of Latvian Government Demographic Council 27 years ago and its current member. The Member of the jury of the contest ""Latvian Family-Friendliest Municipality"". The father of 4 daughters and grandfather of 8 grandchildren.
Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah
Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah
Executive director, National Population Council, Republic of Ghana
Leticia Appiah is the Executive Director of National Population Council, the highest statutory body that advises government on population and related issues. She has 20+ years’ work experience with the Ghana Health Service in various capacities as a clinician and in management positions. She has a Master’s and PhD in Public Health from the University of Ghana and an MD from Donetsk Medical School in Ukraine.
Maria Regina Maroncelli
Maria Regina Maroncelli
President, European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC)
I am a mother of 4 children, between 26 and 17, I’m Italian, I am a free lance journalist, a housewife and a pro- family activist. In 2018 I became president of ELFAC, the European large families Confederation gathering 24 large families associations from 21 European countries promoting and advocating for the wellbeing of families, ie large families. Since then I have been working to establish and develop the European Large family Card and the European Network of family friendly municipalities. I love to travel and to meet people, cultures and stories. I believe in the power of beauty and in the beauty of family.
Dr. Maria Rita Testa
Dr. Maria Rita Testa
Senior Researcher, Vienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria
She is senior researcher at the Vienna Institute of Demography of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. She earned her PhD in Demography from University of Florence (Italy) and her habilitation in Demography and Social Statistics from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (2016) and the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (2018).
Dr. Marie-Theres Thiell
Dr. Marie-Theres Thiell
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Innogy Hungária Ltd.
Marie-Theres Thiell works at RWE since 1990. From 2005 on she was the CFO and from 2010 on she is CEO of RWE Hungary and CFO of ELMŰ and ÉMÁSZ, the electricity supply companies in Budapest and north-east Hungary. From 2011 she was part of the management of RWE East, the management company responsible for the CEE region. From 2016 she became – besides her positions in Hungary – senior vice president in the executive committee for Grid&Infrastructure of innogy SE, responsible for management grid activities in CEE.
Maritza Rosabal
Maritza Rosabal
Minister, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Family and Social Inclusion, Republic of Cabo Verde
With a Degree in History, worked in the Ministry of Education of Cape Verde since 1981, and was also a university professor. She worked on projects with real impact on Cape Verdean society, such the Law against Gender-Based Violence, the Laço Branco Network, and the implementation, now as Minister, of the National Plan of Care.
Mariyana Nikolova
Mariyana Nikolova
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy, Republic of Bulgaria
Mariyana Nikolova graduated with a Master’s degree in Law from the New Bulgarian University and acquired Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Administrative Practices and Law of the European Union from the Sofia St. Kliment Ohridski University, as well as a Master’s degree in Economic Management from the Veliko Tarnovo St. Cyril and Methodius University. She hold several positions in the Ministry for the State Administration and Administrative Reform. She contributed to the drafting of the currently functioning legal base in the field of administrative service of the Republic of Bulgaria. From 2017 to 2018 she was Head of the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy. She was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in November 2018.
Upon her appointment she expressed her main aim to improve the income situation of the public. Similarly to Hungary, she believes that the demographic challenges could be solved by the strengthening of families.
Bilateral cooperation between Hungary and Bulgaria is improving fast, both countries gave successful answers to the challenges of recent years, especially to border defence and illegal migration. As a determining member of the Boriszov government, Mariyana Nikolova plays an important role in further developing the Hungarian-Bulgarian relations primarily in the field of migration, border protection, demography, economy and trade. The Bulgarian and Hungarian government shares their views on handling demographic challenges, both countries consider supporting and strengthening families to be the solution to them.
Mihály Varga
Mihály Varga
Minister, Ministry of Finance, Hungary
Mihály Varga, Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, father of four children.
Prof. Dr. Miklós Kásler
Prof. Dr. Miklós Kásler
Minister, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
(born in March, 1951, Budapest)
Medical doctor, oncologist, surgeon, university professor. He was the Head Physician of the National Institute of Oncology between 1998 and 2018, since 2018 he has been Minister at the Ministry of Human Capacities. He is the author or editor of 455 medical, historical, sociological and theological books and publications. A more detailed CV is at https://www.kormany.hu/hu/emberi-eroforrasok-miniszteriuma/a-miniszter/eletrajz
Miklós Szánthó
Miklós Szánthó
Chairman of the board, Central European Press and Media Foundation, Hungary
He is a lawyer, the director of the Center for Fundamental Rights, Hungary. He has been the curator of the Central European Press and Media Foundation since 2018 and the president (chairman of the board) since 2019. He is the author of numerous Hungarian and foreign language legal and political publications, co-author and co-editor of several books. He is married and the father of a daughter.
Obianuju Ekeocha
Obianuju Ekeocha
Expert, writer, the author of Target Africa, Nigeria
Obianuju Ekeocha is the founder of Culture of Life Africa,an organisation dedicated to the promotion of a Culture of Life in Africa through research and education. She is an internationally acclaimed pro-life strategist, speaker and author who has studied, worked and travelled extensively in Africa.
Phillip Blond
Phillip Blond
Political philosopher, Anglican theologian, director of ResPublica, United Kingdom
Phillip Blond is an internationally recognised political thinker and social and economic commentator. He bridges the gap between politics and practice, offering strategic consultation and policy formation to governments, businesses and organisations across the world. He founded ResPublica in 2009 and is an academic, journalist and author.
Dr. Péter Erdő Cardinal
Dr. Péter Erdő Cardinal
Cardinal, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Roman Catholic Church, Hungary
Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, judge of the Signatura Apostolica, member of numerous Vatican Congregation and Pontifical Councils. He was President of Hungarian Catholic Bishops Conference for ten years and President of Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe as well as Honorary Doctor of several foreign universities.
Ramona Petraviča
Ramona Petraviča
Minister, Ministry for Welfare, Republic of Latvia
Minister for Welfare of the Republic of Latvia (political party KPV LV)
Experience
2019 – Minister for Welfare
2018 – Member of Parliament (Saeima)
2017 – 2018 Saldus Municipality, Member of Municipal Council
2000 – 2018 Monēta, Ltd. (transport services and consumer goods retailing), Financial Director
Education
1986 – 1992 Riga Technical University, higher education in chemical technology of biologically active compounds
Raul Sanchez
Raul Sanchez
Secretary General, European Large Families Confederation
Executive Director of the Large Families Association of Catalonia (FANOC) and General Secretary of the European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC). Founder and first director of the Institute of Advanced Family Studies at the university UIC Barcelona and of the Observatory on Family Policies at the same university.
Sharon Slater
Sharon Slater
President, Family Watch International, United States of America
Sharon Slater is the president of Family Watch International.
Dr. Shea Garrison
Dr. Shea Garrison
Vice President for International Affairs, Concerned Women for America, United States of America
Dr. Shea Garrison is Vice President for International Affairs for Concerned Women for America (CWA) in Washington D.C., focusing on U.S. foreign policy and aid, women's economic and social empowerment, religious freedom, and human rights. She is also Affiliated Faculty and Policy Fellow at George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government.
Slomó Köves
Slomó Köves
Chief Rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation, Hungary
Slomó Köves (born in 1979, Budapest) is the Chief Rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation and the Chief Rabbi of the Hungarian Defence Forces. He completed his religious education in the most famous rabbinical schools in Israel, USA and France. He gained his PhD at the University of Debrecen. He represents the importance of openness and education for the religious development of Hungarian Jews. He initiated the reopening of the Synagogue of Óbuda, which is Budapest’s oldest synagogue, in 2010 in addition to the first Hebrew-Hungarian bilingual school, the Bét Menáchem. He is the founder of the Maimonidész Jewish Grammar School. He is married, the father of five.
Stéphane Buffetaut
Stéphane Buffetaut
Former Member of the European Parliament, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee, Board member of Thomas More Institute
He is a former MEP and former deputy mayor of Versailles. Presently he is member of the European Economic and Social Committee, chairman of the EU/ Russia Follow-up Committee and special adviser of an important social housing network. He was rapporteur of two EESC opinions on demographic and family policies on the demand of the German and of the Hungarian presidencies of the EU.
Dr. Tamás Fabiny
Dr. Tamás Fabiny
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Church, Hungary
Tamás Fabiny was born in Budapest in 1959. Following his pastor inauguration in 1982 he served in several congregations. Since 1990 he was a guest lecturer, since 1999 a main lecturer at the Evangelical Theological University. He has been a university professor since 2005. He gained his phd in theology form the University of Erlangen. Between 1996 and 2006 he was the editor of religious programmes on Duna Television. Since 2005 he is the bishop of the Northern Evangelical Church while since 2018 he is the head bishop of the Evangelical Church, Hungary responsible for media and international affairs. He is the vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation and the executive chairman of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
Tamás Schanda
Tamás Schanda
Under-Secretary at the Ministry for Innovation and Technology, Deputy Minister
He is a qualified political scientist and economist. From 2014 he was Deputy Secretary of State in the Ministry of Human Capacities responsible for Youth policy and creating opportunities, from 2016 Minister of State for European Development policy. From the summer of 2018 to the autumn of 2019 he has been Minister of State for European Union Development Project at the Ministry for Innovation and Technology. He is married and the father of a half-year old daughter.
Tony Abbott
Tony Abbott
Former Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia
Was elected prime minister by the australian people on september 7, 2013, and served for two years. In his time as PM, the carbon tax and mining tax were repealed, free trade agreements were finalised with China, Japan and Korea; the people smuggling trade from Indonesia to Australia was halted; Australia became the second largest military contributor to the US-led campaign against Islamic State in Iraq; the biggest federally-funded infrastructure program in Australian history commenced; and Australia hosted the G20 meeting of global leaders in Brisbane in November 2014.
He is the author of three books: The Minimal Monarchy (1995), How to Win the Constitutional War (1997), and Battlelines (2009).
He is married to Margaret and they are the parents of three daughters – Louise, Frances and Bridget
Toufic Baaklini
Toufic Baaklini
President, In Defense of Christians (IDC), United States of America
Toufic Baaklini, President of In Defense of Christians, was born in Dhour El Choueir and now a proud American citizen who has devoted much of his life to giving back to both Lebanon and the United States. He has committed years of service to preserving the historic Christian communities of the Middle East.
Tünde Bartha
Tünde Bartha
Chief of the Section of the Office of the Prime Minister and Acting Head of the Office of the Government, Czech Republic
Tünde Bartha, Chief of the Section of the Office of the Prime Minister and Acting Head of the Office of the Government, Czech Republic.
Tünde Fűrész
Tünde Fűrész
(mod.) President, Maria Kopp Institute for Demography and Families, Hungary
President, Mária Kopp Institute for Demography and Families
Economist with legal specification, married with three daughters
Tünde Fűrész has been actively shaping Hungarian family policy since 2010, at the beginning she served as head of department, subsequently as Deputy State Secretary for Family and Population Affairs. As ministerial commissioner, she has been responsible for the reform of the Hungarian nursery system. Since December 2017 she is the President of Mária Kopp Institute for Demography and Families.
Urszula Rusecka
Urszula Rusecka
Member of the Sejm, President of the Social and Family Policy Committee of Sejm, Republic of Poland
Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland of 7th and 8th term. Chairwoman of the Sejm Social Policy and Family Committee. Member of the Parliamentary Commitee for Education, Science and Youth.
Valerie Huber
Valerie Huber
Senior Advisor, Department for Health and Human Services (HHS), United States of America
Valerie Huber is Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Global Affairs for Health, within the Office of Secretary at the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Today, she is here representing the work of HHS in both the domestic and international space.
Viktor Orbán
Viktor Orbán
Prime Minister of Hungary
56 years of age, a lawyer who graduated from Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest.
He studied Political Philosophy at Oxford. President of Fidesz, Vice-President of the Centrist Democratic International. Married to Anikó Lévai, they have five children: Ráhel, Gáspár, Sára, Róza, and Flóra.
Zahid Maleque
Zahid Maleque
Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
H. E. Mr. Zahid Maleque, a Member of Bangladesh National Parliament since 2008, has been serving as the Minister for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh since 7 January 2019. He is actively involved in various social welfare services, and has established a number of educational and social development institutions in the country.
Zsolt Semjén
Zsolt Semjén
Is a theologist, sociologist, General Deputy Prime Minister, Minister without portfolio responsible for National Policy, Church Affairs and Nationalities. He is the leader of the Christian Democratic People’s Party and Member of Parliament.
Zsolt Spéder
Zsolt Spéder
Demographer, Director, Hungarian Demographic Research Institute, Professor, University of Pécs, Hungary
Zsolt Spéder is a sociologist, demographist, director, honorary president of the European Association for Population Studies. He has publications on reproduction behaviour in prestigious national (Turning points of our Lives, Kohorsz’ 18) and international periodicals (Population Studies, Demographic Research), initiator and member of international research programs (GGP).
Timeline
Imants Parādnieks
Dr. Maria Rita Testa
Dr. George Blair-West
Dr. Gabriella Vukovich
Tünde Bartha
Gaila Matulyte
Lea Danilson-Järg
Ivica Bošnjak
Schedule
5 September 2019, Thursday
Registration
Sand animation
applied graphic artist and animation film director, Hungary
Inaugural
Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Blessings
Cardinal, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Roman Catholic Church, Hungary
József Steinbach
Bishop, Transdanubian District of the Reformed Church, Hungary
Dr. Tamás Fabiny
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Church, Hungary
Slomó Köves
Chief Rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation, Hungary
Topic review
Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Dr. Péter Erdő
Cardinal, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Roman Catholic Church, Hungary
Aleksandar Vučić
President, Republic of Serbia
Andrej Babiš
Prime Minister, Czech Republic
Tony Abbott
Former Prime Minister, Commonwealth of Australia
Viktor Orbán
Prime Minister, Hungary
Cultural program
Lunch
Cultural program
one of Hungary’s most popular authentic gypsy band from Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County
Topic review
Jaime Mayor Oreja
Former Minister of the Interior and Former Member of the European Parliament, President of One of Us Federation, Kingdom of Spain
Mariyana Nikolova
Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Bulgaria
Damares Regina Alves
Minister, Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights, Federative Republic of Brazil
Bożena Borys-Szopa
Minister, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Republic of Poland
Zahid Maleque
Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Maritza Rosabal
Minister, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Family and Social Inclusion, Republic of Cabo Verde
Ramona Petraviča
Minister, Ministry for Welfare, Republic of Latvia
Prof. Dr. Miklós Kásler
Minister, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Topic review
László Kövér
Speaker, National Assembly, Hungary
Johannes Singhammer
former Vice-President of the Bundestag
Andy Harris
Congressman, United States of America
Kevin Andrews
Member of the House of Representatives, Former Minister, Commonwealth of Australia
Urszula Rusecka
Member of the Sejm, President of the Social and Family Policy Committee of Sejm, Republic of Poland
Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah
Executive director, National Population Council, Republic of Ghana
Kinga Gál
Member of the European Parliament, Hungary
Valerie Huber
Senior Advisor, Department for Health and Human Services (HHS), United States of America
Coffee break
Cultural program
Bolyki Brothers
an acapella jazz formation that consists of four brothers and one guest musician
Topic review
Mihály Varga
Minister, Ministry of Finance, Hungary
Phillip Blond
Political philosopher, Anglican theologian, director of ResPublica, United Kingdom
Obianuju Ekeocha
Expert, writer, the author of Target Africa, Nigeria
Frank Füredi
Professor Emeritus of Sociology, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Senior Research Fellow, XXI Century Institute, Budapest
Zsolt Spéder
Demographer, Director, Hungarian Demographic Research Institute, Professor, University of Pécs, Hungary
Topic review
László Palkovics
Minister, Ministry for Innovation and Technology, Hungary
Panel discussion
Imants Parādnieks Advisor of the Prime Minister, Republic of Latvia
Dr. Maria Rita Testa Senior Researcher, Vienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria
Dr. George Blair-West Psychiatrist, physician, writer, Australia
Dr. Gabriella Vukovich President, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Hungary
Closing of the day
Katalin Novák
Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
September 6, 2019, Friday
Registration
Cultural program
Ferenc Snétberger and his students Kossuth and Liszt Ferenc Prize winner guitar artist, founder of the Snétberger Music Talent Center, Hungary
Greeting and topic review
Katalin Novák
Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Csaba Dömötör
Deputy Minister, Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister, Hungary
Dr. Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen
Hungary’s Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta
Erzsébet Schäffer
Pulitzer Prize winner journalist, Hungary
Miklós Szánthó
Chairman of the board, Central European Press and Media Foundation, Hungary
Dwight Stitt
Founder of the Nonprofit Organization ’Fathers fighting for Their Children’s hearts’, United States of America
Csaba Azurák
communications expert, journalist, Hungary
Topic review
Tamás Schanda
Deputy Minister, Ministry for Innovation and Technology, Hungary
Stéphane Buffetaut
Former Member of the European Parliament, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee, Board member of Thomas More Institute
Toufic Baaklini
President, In Defense of Christians (IDC), United States of America
Slomó Köves
Chief Rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation, Hungary
Prof. Dr. József Mészáros
President, Hungarian State Treasury, Hungary
Dr. Marie-Theres Thiell
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Innogy Hungária Ltd.
Topic review
Panel discussion
Tünde Bartha Chief of the Section of the Office of the Prime Minister and Acting Head of the Office of the Government, Czech Republic
Gaila Matulyte Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Social Security and Labour, Republic of Lithuania
Lea Danilson-Järg Head of Department, Family Policy and Population Department, Ministry of the Interior, Republic of Estonia
Ivica Bošnjak Deputy Minister of State, Ministry of Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy, Republic of Croatia
Lunch
Cultural program
Hungarian Heritage and Prima Primissima Award winner Hungarian folk dance band
Topic review
Emilie Kao
Director, DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society of Heritage Foundation, United States of America
Csaba Böjte
Franciscan friar, Founder of the Saint Francis Foundation of Deva
Katalin Kardosné Gyurkó
President, National Association of Large Families, Hungary
Leonids Mucenieks
Chairman, Union of Latvian Large Families Associations
Maria Regina Maroncelli
President, European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC)
Coffee break
Béla Kató
Bishop, Transylvanian District of the Reformed Church
Antoine Renard
President, Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe
Raul Sanchez
Secretary General, European Large Families Confederation
Sharon Slater
President, Family Watch International, United States of America
Dr. Shea Garrison
Vice President for International Affairs, Concerned Women for America, United States of America
Anna Nagy
President, Single Parents Center, Hungary
Imre Bedő
President, Men’s Club, Hungary
Cultural program
Ferenc Snétberger and his students
Kossuth and Liszt Ferenc Prize winner guitar artist, founder of the Snétberger Music Talent Center, Hungary
Pro Familiis Award Ceremony
Bence Rétvári
Deputy Minister, Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary
Zsolt Semjén
Deputy Prime Minister for National Policy, Church Affairs and Nationalities, Hungary
Gallery - 5th September
Gallery - 6th September
Family attraction videos
History of the event
The Hungarian Ministry of Human Capacities first organized the Budapest Demographic Forum in 2015, hosted by Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs Mrs Katalin Novák. The two-day conference was held on 5-6 November, followed by a family day.
The Forum was opened by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who emphasized that our future relies on families, and strengthening our internal resources rather than external ones is our most important task.
At the Forum, demographic and family politicy measures were presented, and it also served as a platform to exchange experience on international best practices. European politicians, stakeholders, church leaders and experts attended the conference, such as: Algimanta Pabedinskiené, Minister of Social Security and Labour of Lithuania at the time, Michael Farrugia, Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity of Malta, Pál Demény, Senior Counsellor of Population Council, Vincenzo Paglia, archbishop, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, Professor of Claremont Graduate University, Jan Fígel, Chairman of the Christian Democratic Movement at the time, former European Union Commissioner, Luca Volontè, Director General (CEO) of Novae Terrae (Italy).