Integrating social and family policy for the 90's - opening address [by C. Lalumière]

Abstract

The Council of Europe, the organization which I have the honour to represent and which groups together the twenty-three democracies of Western Europe, has made the family one of its main concerns. Family matters are dealt with in many of its conventions, recommendations and resolutions. Why has it shown so much interest in the family? Quite simply, because the Council of Europe has responsibilities and does not shirk them. It has responsibilities in the sphere of the rights of man, that is to say human rights, and in that sphere it has concerned itself not only with citizens' rights - what are called political and civil rights - but also with social rights. It has for example produced a Social Charter, as part of its contribution to family policy. The Council of Europe is therefore qualified to deal with the big problems of society, including the family.