Communique Regarding the Lisbon Declaration on Youth

Communique Regarding the Lisbon Declaration on Youth

Despite our best joint efforts and intentions, the road map for youth we are thus far presenting in the Lisbon Declaration continues to fail to take into account the vital role which parents must play in fulfilling their responsibilities towards their progeny. Thus it cannot and will not escape notice that the word "parents" does not appear once in the draft Lisbon Declaration.

The Holy See has repeatedly sought to introduce the concept of parents' rights, duties and responsibilities to provide appropriate direction and guidance to young people, in a manner consistent with their evolving capacities—a right which is enshrined in the most significant international documents of this century. These include the Declaration on Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and as mirrored from these documents, the Platforms for Action of the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development and the Fourth International Women's Conference of Beijing amongst others.

The Holy See has similarly sought to introduce language to prepare youth for their most important future role—as parents themselves. While there is language to provide preparation for young people to become skilled workers, there is no language currently in the draft Lisbon Declaration regarding marriage and the creation of the family.

As is well known, Pope John Paul II has called young people to prepare for their future roles as parents and has initiated international meetings of youth which most recently attracted over one million youth to Paris.

Thus, the Holy See does not and cannot take lightly the obligation incumbent on this body to forge a document which will reflect the fact that most young men and women will themselves marry.

The Holy See would thus appeal to all of the participating delegations to revisit this issue and provide the leadership needed.