About the WFO

The World Family Organization, formerly known as the International Union of Family Organization, was founded in Europe in 1947 and headquartered in France’s Paris. It’s an international non-governmental organization and has a consultative position in the UN ECOSOC and other UN specialized agencies. It is committed to maintaining the family’s role and welfare in society, boosting family happiness, and strengthening connection and unity of family organizations in various countries. The organization has a total of 27 institutions, and members include more than 100 government agencies and non-governmental organizations in more than 60 countries. The organization has a total of six regional offices in Europe, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific and Arab regions.

After 50 years of effort, the organization has carried out a great deal of work in maintaining family interests, boosting family development, and strengthening unity of family organizations all around the world. They’re committed to studying family welfare, organizing international conferences, exchanging experiences, and promoting international cooperation and exchange among family organizations worldwide.

About the 11th World Family Summit

Approved by the State Council, the NHFPC and the WFO will jointly host the 11th World Family Summit in Guangdong's Zhuhai city from Dec 2-4. The theme of the summit is “Families in Balance: Building the Future We Want”. Liu Yandong, vice-premier of the State Council, will attend the summit and deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.

At present, the summit has invited and confirmed 190 foreign politicians and representatives of WFO members, including 13 foreign ministers, five vice-ministers, UN Undersecretary-General Babatunde Osotimehin, secretary-general of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and executive director of the Partners in Population and Development. In addition, more than 60 Chinese representatives from the State Council's ministries and commissions, the Guangdong and Zhuhai governments, and experts and scholars will be present.

Main content of the summit

2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the International Year of the Family and the 10th anniversary of the World Family Summit. Therefore, the 11th World Family Summit is of great importance, receiving attention from the WFO and the international community. The three-day summit will consist of an opening ceremony; minister, local government and non-government organization round-table conferences; two plenary sessions; and a site inspection. It will focus on discussion of the Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 development agenda, as well as how to help the family play an important role in boosting international development.

The Zhuhai Declaration is a major achievement of the summit and will offer proposals on the UN Millennium Development Goals, post-2015 global development agenda, family role and contribution, government and family relations, influence of social development on family, and family development promotion.