More Than 300 Leaders Supporting The Madrid Commitment

Over 300 political and civic leaders from 45 countries across Europe, America, and Africa have pledged to advance freedom, family values, and a culture of life through a ten-year action plan known as the Madrid Commitment. This global alliance was unveiled during the VI Transatlantic Summit, organized by the Political Network for Values (PNfV), held at the Spanish Senate on December 1-2.

The newly elected PNfV president, Croatian MEP Stephen Bartulica, described the summit as a call to action rather than just a meeting. Bartulica emphasized the need for global, coordinated efforts to ensure respect for human dignity at all stages of life. He urged participants to remain steadfast in defending fundamental values, stating that although political victories are important, culture will ultimately determine the future of nations. Winning the hearts and minds of the next generation, he argued, is essential for lasting change.

The Five-Point Agenda of the Madrid Commitment

A group of young leaders presented the Madrid Commitment, outlining a five-point agenda to guide efforts over the next decade:

1. Defending Human Dignity and Freedom: Ensuring that laws and governments respect the right to life from conception to natural death and protect the freedom to peacefully express personal convictions.
2. Supporting Families: Promoting legislation and public policies that create an environment conducive to family formation and stability, enabling individuals to freely marry, establish families, and educate their children.
3. Celebrating Life and Freedom: Fostering a culture that values life, appreciates family, and affirms the responsible exercise of individual freedoms.
4. Advancing the Geneva Consensus Declaration: Encouraging governments to adopt and uphold the declaration, which focuses on women’s health, respect for unborn life, and national sovereignty.
5. Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Continuing efforts initiated by the New York Declaration to ensure the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is interpreted in alignment with its original meaning.

This document is viewed as a powerful tool to unify political and civic leaders worldwide, broadening advocacy efforts and amplifying the impact of their shared goals.

Global Representation and Welcoming Delegations

The Madrid Commitment was embraced by delegations from numerous countries, including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, and Venezuela, among others.

Leadership Transition in PNfV

The summit also marked a leadership change within the PNfV. Croatian MEP Stephen Bartulica succeeded José Antonio Kast, who served as president for two and a half years. Velarde, a representative of the Network, praised Kast’s tenure, citing his vision, integrity, and leadership as instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission.

Bartulica, 54, brings extensive academic and political experience to his new role. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Croatian parents, he holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri and a PhD in Political Philosophy and Ethics from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He is an associate professor at the Catholic University of Croatia and the founder of the think tank Center for Renewal of Culture. Bartulica has served in Croatia’s Parliament and is currently a member of the European Parliament, representing the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).

Under Bartulica’s leadership, the PNfV aims to further expand its influence and strengthen its commitment to freedom, family, and life on a global scale.

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