16/06/2009 Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Strasbourg, 16.06.2009 - “The family should be seen as one of the essential resources for kick-starting the economic system. In that respect, legislators are able to steer social and family policies towards strengthening family cohesion while enabling families to face the challenges raised by the crisis,” Luca Volontè (Italy, EPP/CD) emphasised today at the opening of a Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Family Affairs, organised in conjunction with the Austrian Ministry of the Economy, Family and Youth.
“The Parliamentary Assembly can be a useful partner in developing standards for family policies, through its ability to enhance inter-parliamentary collaboration in the matter and to engage in dialogue with the grassroots, civil society, experts and governments,” he added. Mr Volontè is currently preparing a report on family cohesion as a development factor in time of crisis.