Organised and chaired by Hon. Mariateresa Vivaldini, MEP for the ECR Group, and mayor of Pavone del Mella (Brescia, Italy), the event “took place on 22 April at the European Parliament
Giovanni Marseguerra and Mario Taccolini – professors of economic history at the Catholic University in Brescia, presented the study “Brescia DNA Futuro”. The demographic, economic and digital challenges experienced in Brescia – one of the most industrious and productive city in Italy and Europe- gave the opportunity to the speakers to talk about the reasons and the solutions of the birth rate decline and shrinking population that are growing concern for politicians and businesses.
Speakers at the event included Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Paolo Inselvini, Chair of the European Parliamentary Intergroup on Demography.
A family-friendly way
Representing the families’ perspective was Regina Maroncelli, vice-president of the European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC), who highlighted the associations’ commitment to denouncing the lack of support and family policies which, over the years, has led to a reduction in the number of families with children in Europe to a mere 23.4% (3% of those with three or more children).
From large families – a litmus test of demographic trends in Italy and Europe – “come, however, ideas and projects to make society ‘family- and child-friendly’, such as the Network of Family-Friendly Municipalities and the Network of ‘Family-Friendly’ Companies: we hope that local authorities and companies, together with families and associations, will find a “family friendly” way to shape the future for everyone,” said Regina Maroncelli.
The young people
“Talk to us, not about us” was the invitation extended by the conference’s final speaker, Maja Jésmanowicz, a daughter from a large family, former intern in ELFAC, and an activist with the Polish Association of Large Families, who, in a very incisive and well-received speech, listed what young people ‘need’ to realise their life plans. “In reality, young people want to have children, and studies and surveys confirm this: stop saying we don’t want them and start listening to what we have to say.”
You can read here ithe full text of Maja’s speech, an illuminating summary of the sentiments of young Europeans.
