A Memorable Evening in Brussels to Honor the 2024 European Family Values Award Recipients

On May 15, 2024, the international community celebrated the International Day of Families. To mark the occasion, the European Union & International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognized outstanding individuals who have dedicated significant efforts to strengthening families across Europe. This year’s recipients of the European Family Values Award were the Fundación Madrina, represented by its director, Conrado Giménez, and Dr. Michael Blume, a religious scholar and an interfaith harmony advocate.

“Through this award, our office wants to honor the Church’s commitment to strengthen and protect families in the European Union by recognizing those individuals and institutions that, through their work, are making a positive impact on society,” said Francesco Di Lillo, director of the Church office in Brussels.

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The ceremony was attended by various diplomatic and religious representatives, civil society members, and local Latter-day Saint leaders who are committed to the well-being of families.

During the evening, attendees thoroughly enjoyed an outstanding and moving performance by internationally renowned violinists and Grammy Award winners Igor and Vesna Gruppman. They were accompanied by Sander Sittig, a pianist who has garnered numerous awards in international competitions around the world.  

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The most tender moments of the evening were undoubtedly the presentation of the awards to this year's recipients.

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The first of the awardees, Fundación Madrina, founded in 2001, is a public service organization based in Spain. Its mission is to fight against poverty, especially among mothers and children. They provide housing solutions in urban areas and rehousing resources in rural areas, as well as initiatives aimed at empowering families through education and employment.

"We have worked tirelessly to protect children, ensure their access to education and health, and promote values such as responsibility, solidarity and respect," said Conrado Giménez, director of the Fundación Madrina, upon accepting the award. "This award is not only a recognition of our work, but also a tribute to all the families who have trusted us and who, with their courage and determination, have fought to move forward. It is a reminder that family is the foundation of society, and that its strengthening is essential to build a more just and equitable world."

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Former General Relief Society President of the Church, Jean Bingham, currently serving as Government Relations Representative for the EU & International Affairs Office, was delighted to speak with guests from a variety of organizations and faiths who share common values about the family.

“It was heartwarming to meet many who understand the importance of the family and encourage its development," she said. "We know strong families are vital for healthy communities and stable nations.”

The other recipient, Dr. Michael Blume, has taken remarkable actions in protecting vulnerable groups, such as leading a project that rescued about 1,000 Yazidi women and children from ISIS terrorists. He has also been a strong advocate for the fight against antisemitism in Europe. Additionally, Dr. Blume's interfaith marriage has served as an example of understanding and tolerance for many families. Although Dr. Blume could not attend the ceremony in person, he accepted this award with the following words:

“Wise people have taught us that love never stays with[in] itself but always consists in the appreciation of diversity. The greatest traditions see this as the secret of creation itself. Every union that leads to children brings forth uniquely new things from the combination of multiples. And each of you who has ever participated in an inter-religious dialogue with the heart, just like us, will have experienced the changes that arise from mutual recognition. We thank your church for its diverse, democratic works."

Dr. Blume will receive his award at a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, in October 2024.

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Among the guests was Rick Larsen, CEO of the Sutherland Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, which collaborated with the EU & Int’l Affairs Office on a recent webinar series focused on strengthening the family. In addition, the two entities are planning a family policy exchange in Utah in November 2024.

In his remarks, Mr. Larsen expressed appreciation for this transatlantic partnership and shared, “Sutherland Institute has been working to protect the family through principled public policy that supports families, communities of faith and the pursuit of personal achievement. We see these areas of policy as related, and among the three – it all begins with families. Let us remember that the most influential and consequential institution is the family.”

The European Family Values Award is a stained-glass piece representing a tree. It was created specifically by Holdman Studios in Provo, Utah. Tom Holdman’s masterful stained-glass artwork is found throughout the world, from a massive 200-foot stained-glass wall at a Utah university, to glorious features in the Manhattan, New York; Paris, France; and Laie, Hawaii Latter-day Saint temples, as well as the temple visitors’ center in Rome, Italy.

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“A family, like a stained-glass artwork, is a beautiful assembly of unique individuals,” said Francesco Di Lillo in explaining the choice of the award’s theme. “The tree, with its deep roots and strong branches, is a fitting symbol for the family, representing strength, growth, and resilience. A family, like a strong tree or a stained-glass window, stands as a testament to love, unity, and their shared growth experiences. Today we gratefully celebrated the efforts of those who have demonstrated untiring support to strengthening families.”

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