If parents fare well, children fare well, too.
What does a child need so as to develop well? This question was discussed at the invitation of Federation of Catholic Family Association in Europe (FAFCE) in the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels.
Johannes Fenz, President of the Federation of Catholic Family Association
in Europe (FAFCE), said in Brussels on 
November
29th, 2004: "If the child finds an environment, in which it can develop
freely and without restraints at social, intellectual, mental, physical,
and emotional levels, it feels well". Fenz includes participation
of both parents in the childcare into it, too. What does a child need
so as to develop well? This question was in the centre of a panel discussion
held in the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels yesterday.
The Federation and Member of European Parliament Othmar Karas invited
to discuss the question "Compatibility of Family and of Gainful Occupation
with Special Attention to Welfare of the Child" in the European Economic
and Social Committee.
With reference to the UNO Convention on Rights of Children, the FAFCE calls for general conditions facilitating partnership sharing in the family work. The FAFCE requires accordingly that men and women have the possibility to opt for a work in a family or a gainful occupation without family care of children causing an economic drawback. "The care of children represents a social value that must be remunerated", says FAFCE President Fenz. He appeals to politicians and businessmen to establish general conditions enabling families to implement their preferred models of lives. It must be practicable to attend to care of children for several years without being in danger of poverty. Just the same, it must be possible for both parents of small children to be employed without being incurred to reproaches of neglecting the welfare of a child.
The
panel discussion was part of FAFCE Presidents' Meeting in Brussels, within
the scope of which a soirée on the topic "Family package in
the European Union is a necessity" took place. According to President
Fenz, such a family package includes leaving family policies in competences
of member countries, minimum standards concerning control of Acts from
the point of view of family compatibility and the economic security of
families.
FAFCE Presidents' Meeting approved a resolution, in which the Federation puts the child's welfare into the centre of attention. All political measures taken for the better compatibility of family and gainful occupation must be focused on the well being of children.