Novák Katalin, the former president of Hungary, emphasized the vital role of family in child upbringing and education during her speech at the ARC (Action, Research and Collaboration) conference held on Tuesday in London.

Speaking before a large audience at the ExCeL London venue, she articulated her views on the foundational contributions of families compared to state institutions in nurturing children and the elderly.

In her remarks, Novák claimed that children learn more when they engage with their families in nature than during formal biology lessons.

She suggested that while the state has essential responsibilities in health, social services, and education, it cannot replace the familial support that is critical to development.

“While the state plays an important role, it will never be able to substitute for the care given by families,” Novák stated.

She shared personal anecdotes, including her experience as a mother to her 16-year-old daughter who is managing diabetes.

She underscored that despite the availability of excellent medical care in Hungary, it is her presence as a mother that provides her daughter with a sense of calm and security.

Novák's address highlighted three primary objectives for future policy considerations: advocating for a minimal government intervention model, promoting leaders who prioritize family values, and striking a balance in the portrayal of family life.

Interestingly, during her speech, Novák did not reference the Hungarian government's family policy initiatives, despite her previous prominent role in those efforts.

She instead praised Jordan Peterson, a psychologist and public figure who is also a founding member of the conference, for his insights on the importance of stable, family-oriented marriages as a cornerstone of civilization.

Peterson lauded the significant financial commitments made by the Hungarian government towards family support.

The conference, which included notable figures from the global right, also witnessed discussions on other contentious subjects.

Peterson and Nigel Farage, a British politician, critiqued contemporary climate change initiatives, arguing for the importance of utilizing all available energy resources, regardless of their environmental impact.

Farage suggested that human activity is not the primary cause of climate change, while Peterson described environmentalism as a deceitful concept that he claims threatens humanity.

This year’s conference marks the second edition of the ARC event, which seeks to gather leaders and thinkers from across the right-wing spectrum to discuss contemporary socio-political issues.

The conference was financially backed by prominent figures including Paul Marshall, owner of the GB News channel, and the Dubai-based investment group Legatum.

According to Hungary's Central Statistical Office, this is occurring during a notable period where birth rates have declined, with 2024 projected to see the lowest number of births recorded since statistics began being tracked in 1949.