No children, no future.
That was the message delivered by Hungarian President Katalin Novák as she addressed the opening of the UN General Assembly. Novák said that a large part of the world is facing a difficulty that is oppressing it from within.
“In Europe and in some of your countries the demographic winter has turned into an ice age,” she said. “If you do not address this issue, it will have an immeasurable impact on our economies, societies and security in the near future.”
Novák added that “little attention is paid to the real and irreversible change in the world,” suggesting the demographic ice age is a bigger threat to humanity than the so-called climate crisis.
“If there is no child there is no future,” Novák said. “What is the point of looking after the Earth if we don’t have children and grandchildren to pass it on to? If childlessness becomes widespread, if fewer children are born than those who pass away in our countries, our beloved world, which we believe to be secured, will be shattered.”
Hungary has worked to promote large families, including fiscal relief for large families and financial incentives for couples to produce more kids.
“We Hungarians see the solution to the demographic crisis in strengthening and supporting families. Our aim is to have a full and happy family life and to have all the children that young couples want,” she explained.
While some criticize the country’s pro-family efforts, Novák said strengthening families is positive in economic terms and those efforts have not destroyed the country’s economy.
In addition, the country has distanced itself from other Western European countries in regards to parental rights.
“We protect parental freedom,” Novák said. “We strongly believe that the right to raise children does not belong to the state, nor to NGOs, nor to the media, nor to the knowledge industry, but to parents.
“Anyone who has a child is ready to fight at any time to ensure that their child can live in peace and freedom. Families pass on their values from generation to generation in the face of every difficulty, every historic trauma, every challenge.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yujbJ28J3XM
