Dear Colleague,

One year ago, the U.S. and over thirty other countries signed the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which reiterates that there is no international right to abortion and that the family is entitled to support as the natural and fundamental group unit of society.  Since that time, the U.S. withdrew from the agreement, and the international pro-abortion lobby hoped it would just be forgotten.

Instead, two more countries have signed the declaration, and it continues to be an important tool helping pro-life and pro-family countries to organize their efforts.  This month's Definitions examines the significance of the Geneva Consensus Declaration in the context of the increasingly contentious debates over social issues in international institutions.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Oas, Ph.D.
Director of Research

In October 2020, “ministers and high representatives” of 34 countries signed a document called the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health and Strengthening the Family (GCD). The declaration prioritized the promotion of good health policies for women. It also affirmed that there is no international human right to abortion and emphasized the centrality of the family as foundational to society, citing internationally agreed documents. The project was spearheaded by the United States under former President Donald Trump, and shortly after taking office, President Joe Biden removed the U.S. from the declaration. Nevertheless, one year after the declaration was first launched, two additional countries signed it, indicating that the GCD initiative remains alive and well, even with a hostile United States. This Definitions considers the importance of the Geneva Consensus Declaration in the context of the ongoing debates about social issues in the international context. Read more >>>