Report on the II. International Conference on Security of Cities and Families - 17th November 2007, Szirák / Hungary

Report on the II. International Conference
on Security of Cities and Families

17th November 2007, Szirák / Hungary

The 2nd international conference on family and urban security was held at the Szirák Castle on the 17th November with the participation of numerous international organisations. Dr. Katalin SZILI – President of the Hungarian Parliament sent a Greeting letter to the attendants of this international conference.

MAIN PATRONS:
Dr. Katalin SZILI – President of the Hungarian Parliament
H.E. Prince Sir José M. COSMELLI – President of the State of “Sovereign Order of Saint John
of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories”

Prof. George POPPER – President of IBSSA, President of the General Council of CIP-UIOF, and Minister of the International Parliament for Safety and Peace (IPSP) welcomed the participants, guests and introduced the patrons, supporters of the conference.

After the official opening Dr. László BARÁTH and Prof. George POPPER reported briefly about the activities of the past year, what happened since the first conference.

Dr. József GEDEI, major of Jászberény city, member of the Parliament, member of the European Council welcomed all participants of the conference as Honorary Guest of the event.

Continuing the thoughts of Dr. Gedei, Prof. George Popper – in his commencing speech – emphasized the importance of new associations, which were established worldwide in order to assure the security of cities and families. In Latvia the „Parents Association” was created, while in the Netherlands the „Federation for Violence Aid Care Services”. Reserve forces were set up with the aim of anti-drug protection. In Abu-Dhabi the World Family Forum was founded, etc.
These matters were also items on the agenda of the XII. Congress of IBSSA in Belgrade – Serbia.

Then Prof. Popper called upon the presenters – one after the other – to make their speeches:

H.E. Prince Sir José M. COSMELLI (Portugal) – Grand Master – Regent of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, F.A.P.
- accentuated that in the past hundred years the concept of security had changed
- criminality spreads with dramatic rapidity and police forces are unable to prevent crimes
- a solution could be to eliminate root causes, notably to put an end to poverty

Dr. Gábor GULYÁS (Hungary) – gave thorough report about the activities and plans of the Budapest office of EFUS (European Forum for Urban Safety) and informed the participants that this European organisation has already 300 members (local authorities of different cities in Europe)

Ms. Éva REICHENBERGER (Hungary) – was introducing the family- and childcare program of “ANKH” Church of Eternal Life.

Dr. Fritz WENDLAND (Germany) – Honorary Founding President of WKC drew our attention to the possibilities of child-crime prevention, the popularisation of sports, and the more effective roll back of drugs.

Dr. Eric Van de WALL (Netherlands) – Founding President of the Federation for Violence Aid Care Services - reported about “family defence” and the experiences in the fight against harmful addictions - gave short info about the activities and mission of IBSSA International Sport Federation – including the role of sports in preventing the spread of drugs

Dr. László BARÁTH (Hungary) – Chief of the Conference Organising Committee reported thoroughly about the national conferences on urban security. He also mentioned that in the city of Jászberény the activities and work of the city-guards is effective and successful.

Dr. Eriks GRINBERGS (Latvia) – in his speech emphasized the responsibility of parents. If the parents do not care for their children, then it can happen that those children may come under the influence of drug-distributors, and by this time it is too late to interpose! The most convincing when children themselves are talking about how bad and evil is to take to cigarettes, and to drugs. In Latvia the attempt of using new methods in upbringing and pedagogy is very successful.

Dr. Nicholas KOSZTA (Hungary) – President of the European Narcotic Enforcement and Drug Prevention Centre (EDDKE) reported shortly about the goals and mission of the newly established centre. He informed the participants about their plans how to defend students from drug abuse, and the way this centre intends to support and help the activities of other different organisations and experts.

Members of EDDKE are professionals from law enforcement agencies; European INEOA members and also have leaders and representatives of non-governmental organisations. The work is focused on training and education, and also coordination of the activities of European INEOA members.

Mr. Paolo CUPIDO (Italy) – reported about the “family-defence” experiences of an Italian foundation, then Dr. Anna POPPER (Hungary) – General Secretary of International Federation of Family Organisations (IFFO) informed all participants about the discussions and decisions of the World Family Forum, which was held in Abu-Dhabi in June 2007. Dr. Popper also mentioned that parallel to this conference the 2nd Substantive Session of the International Founding Committee Meeting of Abu-Dhabi World Family Forum is being held in Rabat, Morocco the same weekend. Dr. Anna POPPER, one of the 8 founding members of AWFF, represents IBSSA and IFFO during the yearly meetings.
Dr. Popper presented the respects and kind regards of H.E. Lady Maria Teresa da Costa MACEDO (Portugal) – President of IFFO, President of “Mission Europa”, and former State Secretary in Family Affairs of the Portugal Government, who was participating that day at the 2nd Substantive Session of the International Founding Committee Meeting in Rabat.

Dr. Tiberiu DEKANY (Romania) – deputy mayor of Arad – emphasized the importance of urban security, and also reported about the intention of the city of Arad on joining EFUS (European Forum for Urban Safety) with pleasure.


H.E. Prof. George Popper – President of IBSSA, President of the General Council of CIP-UIOF summarised the speeches, gave a brief conclusion and officially closed the conference.


30th November 2007