Just over six months after resigning as President of the Republic, Katalin Novák is taking on new responsibilities. In early September, the former Hungarian head of state announced that she has co-founded and assumed the role of CEO at XY Worldwide, a non-profit organization established in collaboration with internationally renowned demographer and documentary filmmaker Stephen J Shaw. The organization’s goal is to find new solutions to the global demographic crisis and offer consulting services to governments in addressing these issues. This mission closely aligns with Novák’s previous roles, as she formerly served as Secretary of State for Family and Youth Affairs, as well as Minister without Portfolio for Families. During her presidency, she also made addressing the demographic crisis, which is severely affecting Europe, a central priority.
‘It is an honor to work alongside former President Katalin Novák of Hungary at X·Y Worldwide as my co-CEO in tackling the global birthrate crisis. We look forward to sharing more as we embark on this journey. Our focus will be awareness, awareness & awareness,’ Shaw wrote on X following the announcement.
It is an honor to work alongside former President Katalin Novák of Hungary at X·Y Worldwide as my co-CEO in tackling the global birthrate crisis.
— Stephen J Shaw (@StephenJShaw) September 9, 2024
We look forward to sharing more as we embark on this journey. Our focus will be awareness, awareness & awareness. @KatalinNovak_HU pic.twitter.com/LXgVVlUOMC
Novák has been actively engaged as co-CEO of the new organization. The former president of the Republic recently shared a photo on X with Elon Musk, owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. ‘Only children can save the world,’ Novák wrote in her post. Both Musk and Meloni are prominent advocates in the fight against the demographic crisis, and Novák has maintained particularly strong relationships with both throughout her political career. An exclusive article by Mandiner also shed light on the discussions that took place between the parties.
Only children can save the World @elonmusk @GiorgiaMeloni @XYWorldwide pic.twitter.com/H12NaU0jso
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovak_HU) September 24, 2024
According to the article, the photo was taken at the Global Citizen Awards hosted by the Atlantic Council, a prestigious U.S. foreign policy think tank. At the event, Giorgia Meloni was honoured for her role in strengthening transatlantic relations.
According to Mandiner’s information, Novák, Meloni, and Musk discussed the possibility of the American billionaire becoming a financial supporter of XY Worldwide. The article also highlighted that Katalin Novák attended the event as an invited guest of Meloni and that she personally financed this trip, along with her working visits to Korea and Japan. This directly refutes the allegations in the Hungarian media suggesting that the former president had used state funds for her travels.
Since launching the initiative with Stephen J Shaw, Novák has visited both South Korea and Japan—two countries struggling with falling birth rates and the challenges of an ageing population. Following her meeting with the Mayor of Seoul, Novák wrote in her X post: ‘In order for a country to successfully tackle the crisis caused by declining birth rates, the support of all stakeholders is essential.’
Seoul is one of the cities with the lowest birth rates in the world, with a Total Fertility Rate of 0.55.❗️
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovak_HU) September 14, 2024
That is why Mr. Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul asked me to actively get involved in the management of birthrate crisis in the city. 🤝
In order for a country to… pic.twitter.com/gp3iZsI5CO
As highlighted in the Mandiner article, Katalin Novák’s visit to East Asia attracted significant local and international media attention, greatly enhancing Hungary’s image in South Korea. This is largely due to Hungary’s success in addressing low fertility rates, as reflected in data from the 2010s. Through XY Worldwide’s advisory work with governments seeking to achieve their demographic goals, Hungary’s family policy is gradually becoming a sought-after export and a key component of Hungarian soft power.
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