Welcome - European Network on Family Group Conference

A friend, speaking from personal experience, advises her to seek guidance from a ‘Future Conference/FGC’. She decides to do so, yet hesitates until the very last moment, wondering if she shouldn’t just skip it after all. Should she really put herself in the spotlight like this? Ask for help? Should she, can she? Someone who has always presented herself to others as a strong and active woman, really open up now and show weakness? Admit that she doesn’t know what to do next?

She envisions a group of twelve people for her Future Conference, the number symbolizing perfection and order. In the end, only six end up participating. And once again, she is torn: with such a small group, wouldn’t it be better to just call the whole thing off?

“I’m incredibly glad I went through with the conference,” she says, visibly moved. “Just the fact that it took place, that a group of people took the time to really engage with me and address my problems, was an incredibly powerful experience.” She realized that there are people out there who care about her. “Everyone was fully present and deeply committed. I heard things I hadn’t realized at all, and got to know myself from a different perspective.”

The advice gives her a boost. The feeling of loneliness is gone. But the feedback from the participants, who spent seven long hours grappling with Marion’s questions, is also interesting: I am at a point in my life where it is important and helpful to broaden my perspective. What should I do next? What paths could I take? What should I learn? What should I let go of? How can I create a life plan that will allow me to live a fulfilling life on a very small pension?

In fact, a lot has changed for them as well. “I realized that these questions will eventually come up for me, too. For me, the conference was therefore also an opportunity to reflect on my own life, something that’s been on my mind a lot lately,” said one participant, echoing the sentiments of many others.

The specific plan agreed upon by the group includes tasks for each individual to tackle together with Marion over the coming weeks and months, ranging from drawing up a financial plan to helping her liquidate a theater prop collection she has built up over the years and which is very dear to her heart.

Marion’s personal takeaway: “In the end, the actual plan isn’t what matters most, I realized that pretty quickly. The best part is the conference itself and the preparation leading up to it. I hope that everyone has the opportunity to experience a Future Conference and ideally, more than once in their lifetime! To experience, with such intensity, a circle of people forming around you who are interested in taking action on your behalf and supporting you is simply wonderful. The Council has given me new courage to look ahead, and the strength to shape the next and final chapter of my life.”