The International Day of Families is
observed on the 15th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN
General Assembly in 1993 and reflects the
importance the international community attaches to families. The International
Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families
and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting
families. In its resolution, the General Assembly also noted that the
family-related provisions of the outcomes of the major United Nations
conferences and summits of the 1990s and their follow-up processes continue to
provide policy guidance on ways to strengthen family-centred components of
policies and programmes as part of an integrated comprehensive approach to
development. The International Day of Families has inspired a series of awareness-raising
events, including national family days. In many countries, that day provides an
opportunity to highlight different areas of interest and importance to
families. Activities include workshops and conferences, radio and television
programmes, newspaper articles and cultural programmes highlighting relevant
themes.The International Day of Families in 2014 marks the twentieth
anniversary of the International Year of the Family and offers an opportunity
to refocus on the role of families in development; take stock of recent trends
in family policy development; share good practices in family policy making;
review challenges faced by families worldwide and recommend solutions.
How do you celebrate this day?
