The role of replacing the generations, solidarity between them, raising and educating children, handing down values, a refuge, somewhere to relax,… is of such human, individual and societal importance as to be quite simply irreplaceable.

The proof of this is that family forms may change, but the family goes on. Women and men, adults and children all need a family of some kind. Here, a home is divided against itself; next door, a new one blossoms… With all its flaws, sorrows and joys, the family is part and parcel of the human condition.

It is quite clear that politics at any level cannot disregard this aspect that is part of the nature of being human. And were it to do so, family organisations are on hand to call it to order. That is what COFACE does towards the EU.