The state is aiming to create a culture that is more welcoming of families. It first tried to do this by enshrining certain pro-family and pro-life values in law.
Hungary was historically a Christian country since its first King Stephen, Novák said, and the state's pro-family policies are meant to be a reflection of that in establishing a "strong identity."
"Without a strong identity, you cannot take responsibility for others," she told CNA.
In 2011, the Hungarian Parliament adopted its Fundamental Law that recognized the nation's Christian roots and affirmed "inviolable" human dignity, the "right to life" of everyone and the protection of life from "the moment of conception," marriage as the voluntary union of one man and one woman, the "family as the basis of the survival of the nation," and the protection of persons with disabilities, Novák said.
In addition, the state is now issuing public messages that "life is a gift" and that having children is a "lifelong adventure."
"Do you really acknowledge those who are taking care of children? Do you really value that stay-at-home mom who is taking care of five, six, seven children and is not playing an active role in the labor market?" Novák asked. "Do we really value them? Do we acknowledge them? Do we protect them?"
Hungary also sees part of its Christian identity in helping Christian victims of persecution in other countries. In Iraq, the government helped resettle Christian genocide victims through its aid program Hungary Helps, providing more than $3 million for the effort.
"For that reason, we see that we have the responsibility to provide help for the brothers and sisters who suffer from persecution anywhere in the world," Novák said. "It's not through international aid organizations with a lot of administration and a lot of costs," she said, but rather "is really direct help, which is addressed to the persecuted ones"
The right to life from the moment of conception is a fundamental part of this identity. While the country's abortion rate is at its lowest-recorded level, more work must be done, Novák said. "Nothing above zero is a good number."
The approach the state is taking to advance the pro-life cause is to "acknowledge the life of the unborn," she said, "by providing family benefits." By the second trimester of pregnancy, women are already eligible for family benefits.
The state also acknowledges the importance of a "family-friendly workplace," she said, and is trying to reward employers with generous family policies.
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While other countries might see immigration as a demographic solution to a declining population, Novák warned against viewing it as a long-term support for the country's future. Orban's seven-point family plan was also rolled out as an alternative to immigration being a solution for the country's future.
Hungary has received international criticism for its strict immigration policies. The UN's human rights chief said its 2018 law criminalizing the assistance of asylum seekers was "blatantly xenophobic." As of early 2018, the UN's refugee agency said Hungary was only admitting around two asylum seekers per day through its transit zones.
The UN's Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, who recently visited the country, said that "migrants are portrayed as dangerous enemies in both official and public discourses."
Novák said that Hungary does not "see immigration as a solution to our demographic problem," and is willing to assist with resettling refugees but is not prioritizing the acceptance of economic migrants seeking a "better life."
"We are, in the first place, responsible for our own people. And if they need more help in order to be able to raise more children and have a family, then we have to provide this help," she said.
Countries with a high outflow of economic migrants won't be helped in the long run, she said.