Leo van Doesburg

  Today is the European Day on the Protectionof Children   against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, an initiative by the Council of Europe. This year’s European Day focuses on preventing risky behaviour by children through child self-generated sexual images and/or videos. The COVID crisis has unfortunately exacerbated the problem of child sexual abuse, as the "EU Strategy for a Most Effective Fight Against Child Sex Abuse" highlighted.   Children are spending more time than before online, possibly unsupervised. While this has allowed them to continue their studies and not fall behind in the education process, there are signs that they are at an increased risk of encountering predators.   Actions to address these problems are therefore needed. To that end, on the 9th of December, ECPM Member of the European Parliament Helmut Geuking , as co-chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on Demographic Challenges, Family-Work Balance and Youth Transitions, will ...

The issue of abortion came again in the forefront recently.  In the Polish Parliament, there was  a debate on a  Bill for a str icter ban on abortion. Of course, the pro-ab ortionists used this opportunity to criticize th is effort and to frame the people who want to protect the life of the unborn . I nterestingly, they are also  openly proclaiming that abortion is an EU comp etence  ne glecting the legal limitation s of the EU. One week before , ano ther meeting was org anized in the European Parliament by  the S&D Group where they discussed about what to do with  doctors or midwifes who can not perform abortions be cause of their conscience. The freedo m to choose does not seem to be valid for doctors with an other worldview.  That's why they are  p ushing them to act against  the ir conscience. The pro-abortionists or the so-called, "freedom to choose" movement showed its real face going aga inst f reedom and against democr...

The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) welcomes the 8th EU Anti-trafficking Day aimed at raising awareness of one of the most serious forms of violation of human rights and dignity of our times. Trafficking in human beings is modern day slavery and a complex form of transnational crime which can only be combated if states work together to eradicate the problem. The ECPM calls on member states which have not already done so to implement the EU Directive on combating human trafficking and cooperate with international actors in addressing this serious phenomenon.

The European Parliament; the European Commission; Brussels... What kind of thoughts cross Christians’ minds when they hear these words? Bureaucracy and costly? Unnecessary legislation that goes against freedom of religion, belief and conscience? Sometimes I wonder what has happened in Brussels over the last few decades. What has become of the Christian mindset that was so instrumental in the formation of the European Project? Where is the real problem? Maybe the problem is not with the European Union. Maybe the problem lies with the successors of the founding fathers of the EU. And how will Christian politicians be able to make their faith more visible in European politics?

Next week, Belgian House of Representatives (lower house) will vote on the euthanasia of young children. The bill which has already been supported in the Senate, allows to extend mercy-killing to children found to be terminally-ill. “This ‘symbolic dossier’ which has not been negotiated by the ruling coalition seems to be pushed through at a tremendous pace.  A great responsibility rests on the shoulders of the governmental Christian Democrat parties, which were surpassed by their governing partners in this issue of life and death”, Kris Vleugels, the chair of C'axent, the Belgian movement for more Christian values in politics and former vice-President of the ECPM, was quoted as saying. According to him, long term social commitment is rooted in deep moral convictions, while the contemporary culture is self-centred and indifferent to the principles of human dignity.' Kris Vleugels is also worried that the Belgian case might create a precedent that will be pu...

There will be terrible times in the last days.   People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy   without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. (..), always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.(..). But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance” ( 2 Timothy 3: 1-10) The year 2013 is almost finished. The year is characterized by changes. One of the most important changes I saw this year was a growing public awareness of the general public concerning the importance of protecting basic Christian-Democratic values like human dignity...

Europe is still seen as having a Christian heritage that weights heavy on its citizen’s way of thinking and acting. In politics, some decades ago, we could hear great politicians speaking out from their Christian beliefs without fear of being politically incorrect. Their actions were inspired by their faith. They believed that the Christian values were beneficial in the public life not only in private.  However, in the 21st century the deafening voice is that the Christian values are to be followed in the private life. This ubiquitous view destroys the foundation that created the European Union in the first place and on the 3rd of December ECPM organized a conference in which this issue was approached, entitled “The impact of Christian thinking on European project: Past, Present and Future”. Main aim is to reflect to the origins of the European project and how Christian faith and values played a role at the European founding fathers. In the afternoon session we build furthe...

 On Friday, 28 June 2013, the 2nd International Conference on Human Dignity, which this year will be held at the home of the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences, at the Casina Pio IV, in the serene grounds of the Vatican City State. If you are interested, you can register you can register here The title of the Conference, which is being generously supported by the ECPM and the Novae Terrae Foundation, is: “Squeezed between European and national legal orders: Is there room for Christianity?”   The conference programme you can find The conference programme you can find here   It is important to note, because of the security demands regarding the venue, all participants must register in advance. We are expecting an important attendance with politicians, NGOs, clergy and academics from all over Europe already confirmed.

On the 10th October 2012, the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development organized a meeting entitled "Anti-Choice Opposition in Europe: Recent trends in the global war on women on the European front". This Forum presents itself as a network of MPs from across Europe who are interested in protecting women's sexual and reproductive rights, supporting the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development. During this meeting, a list with the "Top 27 European Anti-choice Personalities" was presented and spread. I was classified as no 15 on this Top 27.  Read my reaction here

From the 3rd of October in the evening, until the 6th of October, the ECPM (European Christian Political Movement) in collaboration with the Ecumenical Prayer Group from the Romanian Parliament will organize the Romanian Prayer Breakfast with as theme: "Common mission for combating poverty" hosted by the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, Mr. Valeriu Ştefan Zgonea. The event will start with a cocktail on the 3rd in the evening, followed by the Romanian Prayer Breakfast in the morning and by a debate on the 4th. On the 5th and 6th of October (optional) a special excursion to the Danube Delta will be organized. The Prayerbreakfast will take place in the Romanian Parliament (the Parliamental Palace). For more information, please visit the link on the website of the ECPM

The ECPM urges Dutch Christian voters to vote tomorrow (12 September) for a Christian party in order to preserve the freedom of faith & conscience in a more and more aggressive-secular environment. Please read the statement here.    Remarkably, the party leader of one of the Christian parties, the ChristianUnion got also support of the British Prime Minister Cameron yesterday. Cameron explained: , ,My Party works hand in hand with the ChristianUnion in the European Parliament to achieve a more efficient, less interfering Europe that is committed to peace, security and trade. Arie Slob has shown a real determination to play a key part in leading the Netherlands through the current crisis. Like him, I want a strong society in which families, associations and faith-based communities can show what people can achieve when they work together to build a better country. He has a great contribution to make."    Tomorrow, 12 September, t...

On the 28th of August, the 1st Moldovan Parliamentarian Prayer Breakfast took place. In total, 10 Members of the Parliament of Moldova from 3 different parties participated (the Moldovan parliament has 101 MPs) as well as an MP from Canada and representatives from the Canadian Christian Embassy. I addressed the participants on be half of the ECPM and expressed the importance of parliamentary prayer groups all over Europe (see my message here ) and read a message from the Ecumenical Prayer Group from the Romanian Parliament addressed to the participants of the 1st Moldovan Prayer Group. It was a good and friendly atmosphere with personal messages based on the love of Jesus and the Holy Scriptures. It was encouraging to see the open and personal message also of the participants and to see that the principles of Jesus unites politicians of different parties. I was impressed by MP Valeriu Ghilețchi (Moldovan MP and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) who organ...

Update 26 July, 2012 - The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) expresses its concern regarding the current political situation in Romania. The present crisis shows, in the view of ECPM, that there are some fundamental problems in the Romanian political landscape. Although the road towards EU integration brought Romania many positive changes, different governments have still not succeeded to achieve the necessary reforms in order to protect the separation of powers, to guarantee the Rule of Law and to create a democratic culture representing the Romanian people in its entirety. We understand all calls for deeper reform and as well as those who expressed their worries regarding the rapid institutional changes of the last few weeks. These institutional changes reveal, in our opinion, the existence of an underlying need for stronger institutions that must become independent from political party influences. Recent developments are worrying and show the need for deeper refor...

D on't forget to register for the ECPM symposium on 'EU relations with Israel' and the ECPM 8th annual General Assembly that will take place in Hotel Martin's Central Park (Boulevard Charlemagne 80) in Brussels, 8 June, starting at 10:00 hrs am . During this symposium various speakers like Sari Essayah (MEP, Christian Democrats Finland), Joshua Reinstein (Director of Knesset Christian Allies Caucus) and Peter Dixon (Chief Executive Concordis International) address the audience. After the lunch the ECPM General Assembly will take place. T his is a good opportunity to learn more about the ECPM, its work, meet other people involved in the work of the ECPM and the discuss about the EU relations with Israel! More information about the program (see below) or click here Please register here   More information about the hotel where the event will take place

Dear friends, dear readers I am pleased to announce that the European Christian Political Foundation (ECPF) and the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) will hold their annual congresses in Brussels, 7 and 8 June respectively.  The theme of this year’s ECPF Congress is 'Values; Foundations for Europe's economy' and will take place in the European Parliament 7June 2012. Speakers will include Tomáš Sedláček (adviser to Vaclav Havel and the current Czech government, writer of Economics of Good & Evil ), Philip Blond (adviser to PM David Cameron and writer of Red Tory ), Michael Schluter (Director of 'Relationships Global'), Dr. Luigino Bruni (adviser to the Holy See), Peter Briscoe (founder of Crown Europe) and Dutch Senator Dr. Peter Ester. The following day, on June 8, a symposium on ‘EU relations with Israel’ and the 8th Annual ECPM General Assembly will be organized by ECPM at Martin’s Central Park, Boulevard Charlemagne 80, in Brussels....

The ECPM rejects a recent action taken by the Dutch ‘Party for freedom’ (PVV) against workers from new EU member-states. The PVV recently created a hotline for Dutch people to report behavior by workers from these states that ‘does not fit in Dutch culture’ and also to report so-called ‘job-stealing’ by mentioned workers. We call on the Dutch government to distance itself from this action in clear terms. This is even more necessary considering the fact that this initiative is taken by a party that gives parliamentary support to the Dutch government.

Some time ago, I announced this conference about "Beyond individualism: why Civil Society needs Christian Political Engagement" that will take place on Friday 25 & Saturday 26 November in London, United Kingdom. I received good news from the ECPM office. New speakers have been added recently to the packed program. Many speakers from several political organisations and different denominational backgrounds will contribute to the colloquium & conference, making Beyond Individualism the Christian political event of the year in Britain! Also there is a large response! More than 130 attendants already have registered for this conference. So if you want to participate too, please register soon!! Places are becoming scare so we urge you to book as soon as possible on the Beyond Individualism website . I will of course also be there, so maybe see you in London??  More information about the speakers see also below

As a following up of the Balkan trip Auke Minnema and me went to Croatia to train the people of the initiative group there. After this we plan to go to Slovenia, the country we unfortunately could not visit the last time during our Balkantrip.

As a reaction on the Green Paper of the European Commission concerning the automatic recognition of civil status documents (see the article on " Will the EU define marriage "), the European Humanist Federation did not comment to the questions asked by the Commission. Instead, the Federation is attacking the ECPM, CARE, Human Dignity Watch, the World Youth Alliance, and Salt and Light. Calling us: "efficiently organised and well financed but unrepresentative minority religious pressure groups whose aim appears to be to stifle the initiative at birth." And further: " It is our opinion that they are not representative even of most Christians in Europe. " Their reaction on the green paper you find here