International Day of Families - 15 May.

International Day of Families is celebrated on May 15 to raise awareness of the importance of families and their role in society. The day focuses on the important role that families play in our society while also highlighting the issues faced by them. The International Day of Families is a global observance that is celebrated by countries around the world. In the United States, the day is celebrated by a variety of organizations, including the National Council on Family Relations, the Family Resource Coalition of America, and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

History

During the 1980's, the United Nations began focusing attention on issues related to the family. In 1983, based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development in its resolution on the Role of the family in the development process (1983/23) requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family, as well as of effective ways of meeting those needs.

In its resolution 1985/29 of 29 May 1985, the Council invited the General Assembly to consider the possibility of including in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session an item entitled “Families in the development process”, with a view to consider a request to the Secretary-General to initiate a process of development of global awareness of the issues involved, directed towards Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and public opinion.

Later, based on the recommendations of the Commission for Social Development, formulated in its 30th round of sessions, The Assembly invited all States to make their views known concerning the possible proclamation of an international year of the family and to offer their comments and proposals.

The Council also requested the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a comprehensive report, based on the comments and proposals of Member States on the possible proclamation of such a year and other ways and means to improve the position and well-being of the family and intensify international co-operation as part of global efforts to advance social progress and development.

In its resolution 44/82 of 9 December 1989, The General Assembly proclaimed The International Year of the Family.

In 1993, the General Assembly decided in a resolution (A/RES/47/237) that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

On 25 September 2015, the 193 member states of the United Nations unanimously adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 goals aiming to eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths, address environmental destruction, and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere. Families and family-oriented policies and programmes are vital for the achievement of many of these goals.

The 2023 International Day of Families observance is to raise awareness of the impact of demographic trends on families. The event will include:

• Launch of the Background Paper on “The Impact of Demographic Trends on Families”
• Presentation of the World Social Report 2023 “Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World”
• Presentation on intergenerational equity and solidarity
• An overview of recommendations of policies in response to demographic trends Presentation of civil society initiatives for IYF+30
• Interactive discussion with audience participation

 2023 Theme: "Demographic Trends and Families".

Source: www.un.org

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