Belgium The League of Large and Young Families – The Bond Pluralistic and nongovernmental organization which began in 1921 Unites 300,000 families in Flanders and Brussels, representing more than 1 million men, women, and children Represents 1/6 of the Flemish population

The Aims of the Bond To promote solidarity between families To promote the interests of all families To work towards a family- and child-oriented climate in society

The Bond’s Organizational Structure The Bond is organized locally (1,100 branches), regionally (33 regions), provincially (5 provinces), and centrally All representatives are democratically elected every 6 years Efforts are supported by 14,000 volunteers Volunteer workers are supported by 120 personnel

The Bond’s Activities Political action on behalf of families Promoting social life at the local level Providing family-oriented services for member families

Successful Political Initiatives Preserving child allowances Creating a minister for “Culture, Family, and Welfare” Making family impact assessment of government policies compulsory Establishing home loans for low-income families with at least three children

Successful Political Initiatives Laying the groundwork for children to be heard in divorce proceedings Ensuring the right of grandparents to see their grandchildren Banning television advertising 5 minutes before and after children’s television programming

Methods of Accomplishing Political Objectives Organizing rallies Encouraging regional representatives to contact politicians Preparing press releases and leaflets for distribution Establishing commissions to study important aspects of family policy Launching a five-year program to follow economic and social trends in order to formulate new policies

Methods of Accomplishing Political Objectives Organizing lunch meetings with the press, politicians, and organizations to discuss family proposals Scheduling audiences with ministers to present aims and requests Representing families on advisory bodies and management committees which deal with family policy at the local and national levels

Promoting Social Life at the Local Level Offering recreational sports for young and old Providing a range of quality children’s films Organizing children’s clubs and workshops Organizing family day trips Providing educational programs for parents/grandparents

Provides Direct Services to Families Operates more than 800 baby- sitting services that provide care for the children of 175,000 families per year Provides newsletters to young parents during pregnancy and the first six years of life with costs sponsored through advertising Rents infant car seats Provide discounts of 3% to 10% in family stamps for food, shoes, toys, clothing, furniture

Provides Direct Services to Families Offer vacations at their two holiday centers including one in Austria Operate summer camps for children 6 to 15 year-olds Provide consumer advice, complaint department, and legal services Offer counseling services Provide a weekly magazine