 - The chairwoman thanks Eusebio Nasarre for the reception
 - The participants before the visit to the parliament
 - The group on Plaza Mayor
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The European Women’s Circle organised its 2011 traditional, annual international politico-cultural tour in the early summer. This year, the 22 participants headed for Spain to gain insight into the history, the current political situation, and the arts and culture of this EU member state.
In Madrid, the European Women’s Circle was received in the national parliament, the “Congreso de los Diputados”.
After a detailed tour of the parliament buildings, including a visit to the impressive hall of the members of congress, the participants enjoyed an in-depth talk with MP Eusebio Nasarre of the conservative party “Partido Popular”, who has played a major role in Spanish educational politics for many years.
Family policy and women’s policy were a central topic of this talk.
The social change in Spain becomes apparent when the employment rate is considered. While the rate for women 50 years and older is about 15% less than that for men in this age group, the difference drops to 4% for women who are around 40 years of age. The traditional family model, in which women tended to stay at home to look after the children and the household, was deeply rooted in Spanish society. The current decline of this model brings with it a crisis in terms of demographic development in modern-day Spain. A birth rate of 1.4, including 20% of children born to immigrants, puts Spain at the lower end of the European spectrum.
One of the reasons for this is an unemployment rate of 21% and the consequent economic insecurity, but the crisis of family values resulting from cultural changes contributes as well. Family policy is strongly affected by the current financial crisis. Only people in extreme need receive baby and child financial aid any more, and maternity leave has been reduced to five months.
Unlike in Germany, parents of babies 6 months and older have a right to daycare for their child. Also, a kindergarten spot exists for 50% of children under the age of three and 95% of children three years and older attend preschool.
According to MP Eusebio Nasarre, whose party is in the opposition, family policy needs to catch up to the changes in Spain. Cultural and political efforts should be made to push for equal opportunities for women with families, and larger families, i.e. those with three or more children, should receive special support.
Madrid, since 1561 capital of the kings in whose realm the sun never set, presented itself as a true cultural metropolis during the following days.
The comprehensive cultural program included the royal residence and monastery complex El Escorial, the palace, which is the seat of king Juan Carlos and queen Sophia in Madrid, Almudena cathedral, the basilica of San Francisco, the world-renowned Prado, the new and excellent museum Thyssen-Bornemisza, the many different parts of the old town, and the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by many buildings from the renaissance period.
The tour’s participants also enjoyed the exquisite Spanish cuisine in several typical restaurants.
After these informative days full of cultural experiences everybody is looking forward to the next politico-cultural tour organised by the European Women’s Circle.
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 - Spain
 - the Spanish parliament
 - Almudena cathedral
 - Madrid’s city hall
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