There are significant demographic differences in family size in Europe and Africa.
A 2010 USAID report on the number of children desired by people in various parts of the world, showed that the desired number of children is highest among people in western and middle Africa, ranging from 4.8 in Ghana to 9.1 in Niger and 9.2 in Chad, with an average of 6.1 children for the region.
In the European Union, 47 percent of households with any children only have one child, only thirteen percent have three or more children, according to 2017 data.
While the differences between Europe and Africa could provide helpful lessons, Fuanya noted that the synod was about seeking a universal perspective.
"It is not like Africa has come to help Europe solve their youth problem, it is the Church that has come together to see how to solve the problem of the youth," Fuanya said.
"When we are looking at things in the synod, we are not solving problems of particular continents or particular local churches. We are looking at the Church from a global point of view."
"We reflect on the empty churches, but at the same time we reflect on the poverty situation. We reflection on migration. We reflect on all those things that show the Church from a holistic point of view," Fuanya said.
For Cardinal Marx, one global issue that needs to be addressed is the sexual abuse crisis.
"The discussion on sexual abuses in the past few months … drew global attention. I believe it is an important global matter that needs to be discussed," Marx said in German.
"It is the Church that needs to change … the youth have said this," he continued. "We need to do this together in the theme of accompaniment."
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.