May 15: International Day of the Family
This year's observance, the
International Day of Families, is focusing on the preparations for the
10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, which will be launched in December of 2003. Member States attending the Commission for Social Development, Forty-first Session called on governments, civil society, non-governmental organizations, research and academic institutions, to contribute to developing strategies and programmes to strengthen the livelihood of families.
Governments are being encouraged to set up national coordinating committees or similar mechanisms for the anniversary and to integrate a family perspective in the planning process. Many countries have developed national plans of action focusing on policy reform on family issues, research, reviewing existing legislation and various campaigns to raise awareness about the anniversary. Some countries will host conferences, for instance Singapore will host a regional conference on "
Family-life issues in Asia" in 2004 and in June 21-26, the World Health Organization will be sponsoring the 22nd World Congress on family violence, a multi-stakeholder event, in Prague.
In 1994, the motto of the original
International Year of the Family was "
Building the smallest democracy at the heart of society". It was recognised that the family constitutes the basic unit of society and therefore warrants special attention and that families assume diverse forms and functions within society. Whilst this situation holds true ten years on, there are new processes and pressures that are affecting family life around the world such as the impact of HIV/AIDS on the composition of families.
The UN General Assembly is also encouraging United Nations agencies and bodies, including the regional commissions, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, research and academic institutions, to work closely with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs on family-related issues by sharing experience and findings.
