Here is a special opportunity for family advocates living in Australia and New Zealand -- and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region: the next World Congress of Families is to be held in Sydney in May 2013. Although WCF congresses have been held in cities from Amsterdam to Mexico City, next year’s gathering in Sydney will be the first for the Southern Hemisphere.

Under the banner “Happy Families, Healthy Economy: A New Vision for National Prosperity and Social Progress” the three-day congress will explore how business, government, education, law healthcare and the media can strengthen families for the benefit of society.

Top researchers and speakers from around the world will address these themes and everyone is invited to reflect on questions such as: What makes a happy family? What can I do to make family life better?

Chairperson of the organising committee Mary-Louise Fowler is inviting expressions of interest from organisations that may wish to send delegates, contribute speakers or showcase their activities at the congress Expo. She says:

This World Congress of Families is the first to be hosted as a joint venture between two countries – Australia and New Zealand – and the first in this region of the world, and so we particularly encourage our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific Region to come and take advantage of having the Congress so close to home.

Founded in 1997 by Dr Allan Carlson of the Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society, the World Congress of Families seeks to restore the natural family as the fundamental social unit and the seedbed of civil society. It attracts between 1000 and 3000 participants and a broad range of speakers.

To register interest and for further information go to: http://wcfsydney2013.org.au/