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The Dubrovnik Congress and the Vision of the Italian Representatives
The Family Congress, held in Dubrovnik under the aegis of the Ecr (European Conservatives and Reformists) party, has drawn a precise line for the future of Europe, placing the family as a fundamental pillar of the continent’s social and economic policies. The event, which saw the participation of leading figures in European politics, gave ample space to reflection on the role of birth rates and family values as tools for addressing contemporary challenges, with a particular focus on the interventions of the Italian representatives.
Among the Italian protagonists, several politicians stand out who, with their interventions, have outlined proposals and visions for bringing the family back to the centre of the European political agenda. Antonio Giordano, general secretary of the Ecr party and deputy of Fratelli d’Italia (FdI), moderated the final panel of the congress, introducing crucial issues and creating a connection between the international representatives present and the specific needs of Italy. During the event, Giordano emphasized the urgency of policies that support the birth rate and enhance the role of families in the European context, underlining the need to address the demographic challenge with concrete and targeted measures.
Speech by Eugenia Roccella: The Demographic Challenge
Among the most significant speeches was that of the Italian Minister for the Family, Eugenia Roccella, who participated via link from Rome. Roccella emphasized the demographic crisis that Italy and Europe are facing, expressing concern about the inadequacy of current policies in promoting the birth rate. She stated: “We have paid attention to the green transition, but not to the demographic one. It is time for a change”. This statement reflects her belief that Europe must rebalance its political priorities, putting the birth rate and support for families at the centre of the debate. Roccella urged European governments to promote policies that incentivize families to have children, offering concrete support to parents, both through economic subsidies and adequate social services. Roccella’s proposal was met with strong consensus, a sign that the issue of birth rate is a central issue for the future of Europe.
Antonella Sberna: Politics and Family Must Walk Together
MEP Antonella Sberna, vice-president of the European Parliament and representative of Fratelli d’Italia, brought a personal and direct approach to the stage, recounting her experience as a mother and politician. On stage with her three daughters, Sberna underlined the importance of policies that facilitate the reconciliation of family and professional life, especially for women. “Europe must understand that focusing on the family means focusing on the future. It is not just a private issue, but an economic and social one,” she said. This speech opened a discussion on how family support policies can become central in the fight against the low birth rate, promoting the role of families in small European communities. Sberna underlined that the family must not be seen as an obstacle, but as a resource. Indeed, it highlighted the need for policies that support large families, such as tax incentives, facilitation of access to educational services and the adoption of welfare models that recognize the essential contribution of families to social and economic cohesion.
Fabio Rampelli and the Digital Challenge
Another notable speech was given by the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, Fabio Rampelli, who addressed one of the most current challenges for families: the impact of technology and social media on family dynamics. Rampelli highlighted how the digital revolution is transforming human relationships, distancing people from traditional values. “The digital revolution has made human beings lose their points of reference,” he said. His speech drew attention to the need to regulate and monitor digital platforms, in order to protect families and especially young people from the negative influences of technology.
Rampelli clarified that this is not a battle against modernity, but a call to ensure that technology remains a tool at the service of human beings, and not the other way around. This call for digital regulation was also echoed in other speeches, underlining how the protection of the family must also pass through policies that preserve the centrality of human relationships in today’s hyper-connected world.
Lavinia Mennuni and Youth Policies
Senator Lavinia Mennuni also made a significant contribution to the discussion, focusing on the importance of creating regulations that protect children and young people, especially in relation to the use of social media. Mennuni highlighted the alarming data on the demographic crisis in Italy, with a balance sheet that sees 700,000 retirements per year and only 300,000 births. “A nation that does not have children is a nation that does not grow. And we want to grow,” she stated emphatically, reiterating the need for fiscal and social policies that encourage birth rates. Her proposal focused on a package of reforms that includes structural support for families, such as tax incentives for those who have children, easier access to childcare services and education programs that promote the importance of the family.
The Dubrovnik Family Congress highlighted how the family has returned to the centre of the European political debate, with a growing awareness of the importance of addressing the demographic crisis and digital challenges through targeted policies. The interventions of the Italian representatives, from Eugenia Roccella to Antonella Sberna, from Fabio Rampelli to Lavinia Mennuni, demonstrated a concrete commitment to promoting a vision of the family as the foundation for the economic and social future of Europe. The challenges are many, but the cross-party consensus that emerged during the congress is a positive sign: supporting birth rates and strengthening the role of the family are now shared priorities, and the Italian proposals could provide a valuable guide for a new model of family policies at European level.
Alessandro Fiorentino