Unofficial translation of the letter sent by MARGARITA ZAVALA GOMEZ DEL CAMPO, First Lady of Mexico, to World Congress of Families IV.

May 8th 2007

Dear Participants:

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address you during the World Congress of Families IV.

I would have liked to have been with you in Warsaw, but was unable to attend for reasons beyond my control. I would like to share with you that Poland has been very significant for me during my life. My mother used to tell me that many Polish families came to Mexico in exile during World War II. I also read many books and articles about the brave Poles who risked their lives to save others who were being discriminated and persecuted against. I got to know Poland through the books and tales that were being written in Mexico. Moreover Pope John Paul II was another reason for Mexico to become closer to Poland.

I want to tell you as well that I attended World Congress of Families III in Mexico City in 2004 and I was witness to the professionalism of the speeches and panels during the Congress.

The family is without a doubt one of the fundamental issues of human life. For this reason, in the history of all peoples there have always been families noted for their outstanding contribution to the culture and values of their country.

Today more than ever the whole world needs to reflect on the role of the family because when the family is looked after, society and nations are looked after. In spite of the transformation given to this institution with the term “the universality of the family”, it is still valid today with its threats and challenges.

The subject is transcendental because it is in the family where the values of solidarity, respect, responsibility, love, forgiveness, among others, so necessary in the world today are learned. It is in the family where human rights are better learned to be respected, where the right to a safer environment, to progress and peace among peoples are better understood and learned. It is a great tool for the world of today and the world of tomorrow.

For those of us who value this, we can only thank the men and women who made this Congress possible.

With sincere gratitude,

Margarita Zavala.