The United Nations announced the year 1994 as the International Year of Families. The announcement was a response to changing social and economic structures, which affected, and still affect, the structure and stability of families in many regions around the world. Ever since 1994, May 15^th has been celebrated as the International Day of Families, in order to remind all individuals, businesses, and governments alike that families are the center of society and provide a supporting, stable home for people of all ages.

Here are some primary points regarding family that the United Nations Social Policy and Development Division list in their mission statement:

–       The integration of a family perspective into policy-making at the national, regional and international levels must be promoted

–       Family research and diagnostic studies need to be supported

–       There must be continuous dialogue with Governments, civil society and the private sector on family issues

–       Coordination on family policies and programmes within national governments and within the United Nations system will be encouraged and supported

Policy meetings for public officials, exhibitions and organized discussions to raise awareness of the annual theme, educational sessions for children and young people, and the launch of campaigns that support families are common activities on the International Day of Families.

Although the definition and meaning of family varies greatly from one culture to another, and from one person to the next, family is a universal unit that all of us can relate to, in one way or another. Happy International Day of Families to you all!

 

Also in May:

World No-Tobacco Day – May 31st

International Day for UN Peacekeepers – May 29th

Africa Day – May 25th

The Day of Cyrillic Alphabet – May 24th

International Day for Biological Diversity – May 22nd

Cultural Diversity Day – May 21st

Cultural Diversity Day: A Special ‘Hello!’

World Day Against Homophobia – May 17th

World Telecommunications and Information Society Day – May 17th

Mastering the Art of Cheek Kissing

World Fair Trade Day – May 12th

Red Cross Crescent Day – May 8th

Europe Day – May 9th

Wesak – May 5th

World Press Freedom Day – May 3rd

May Day – May 1st

Tags: International Day of Families, Public Policy, United Nations

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at 9:00 am and is filed under days of significance, General . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.