International Day of Families 2014, May 15.

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day of Families 2014.

As we commemorate this year’s International Day of Families, we recognize the meaningful contributions that families make to advancing the mission of the United Nations.
By providing economic and emotional sustenance to their members, families can raise productive, caring citizens committed to the common good. Strong, well-functioning families, whatever form they may take, can help reduce poverty, improve the wellbeing of mothers, promote gender equality and uphold human rights.
Support for families is crucial to realizing their full potential.  That means factoring their needs into development policies, considering their circumstances in addressing conflicts, and advocating for the equal treatment of all families, regardless of their structure. As we strive to usher in a more sustainable future, achieve the Millennium Development Goals, shape a new development agenda and combat climate change, let us mobilize the world’s families.

On this International Day of Families, let us strive to strengthen these small but critical units found in every society so that we may advance as one human family toward greater progress.

Ban Ki-moon

The theme for the International Day of Families 2014: Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals; International Year of the Family + 20

Día Internacional de la Familia,15 de mayo, 2014 : «Las familias son importantes para el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo; Año Internacional de la Familia + 20»

Journée internationale des familles, 15 mai . Thème 2014 : « Les familles comptent pour la réalisation des objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement; Année internationale de la famille + 20 »

رسالة من الأمين العام بمناسبة اليوم الدولي للأسرالخميس 15 أيار/مايو 

Международный день семей,15 мая- 2014 год: ключевая роль семей в деле достижения Целей развития; Международный год семьи+20

国际家庭日, 5月15日 - 2014 年主题：家庭对实现千年发展目标的贡献暨国际家庭年设立二十周年

 

 

Twentieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family 2014

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 with resolution A/RES/47/237 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.

 News and good practices
  Contest in Catalonia and Balearic Islands - 05/02/2014
Within the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, Intress has organized a pictures contest, ‘1000 families, 1000 different ways’.
Foster Care Center - 05/02/2014
Staff at the Foster Care Center ‘Los Pinos’ in Molina de Segura (Spain) have developed an annual program with twenty educational and leisure activities for the children they work with, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
In Raphoe (Ireland) - 05/02/2014
To celebrate International Day of the Family and the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family on Thursday 15th May Raphoe Family Resource Centre (Ireland) is hosting a day long programme of events for families.
Barcelona es familia - 05/02/2014
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Municipality of Barcelona has organized different activities that can be seen at the website ‘Barcelona es familia’.
Conference in Cordoba (Spain) - 05/02/2014
The Cordoba Diputation (Spain) has organized a Conference on April 26 with the Large Family Association to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Seminar in The Hague - 04/21/2014
The next 15th May, 20th anniversary of the International Year of the family, the Together4Change Alliance hosts a seminar in The Hague to shape thoughts around the role of parenting in the international development agenda.
Declaration of the World Youth Alliance - 04/21/2014
The World Youth Alliance have issued a Declaration on Family and Economic Development on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
New report on Intergenerational Family Connections - 04/21/2014
Generations United and the Alliance for Children & Families will release the new report ‘Intergenerational Family Connections: The Relationships that Support a Strong America’ on May 13 in Washington, D.C. and in honor of the 20th anniversary of the United Nations’ International Year of the Family.
‘Digital Family Meeting’ - 04/11/2014
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the families Hotel Royal Son Bou in Menorca (Spain) has organized on May, 17 the ‘Digital Family Meeting’, an event about the role of the family in the use of technologies.
Year of Family Tourism in Catalonia - 04/11/2014
The Tourism Agency of Catalonia is promoting the Year of Family Tourism in the annual fair, as an initiative to strengthen that region as the best destination for families with children, dring this 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Conference in Madrid - 04/11/2014
The ‘Colegio de Politólogos y Sociólogos de España’, together with the Ministry and other entities, have organized a conference in Madrid on May, 23, about what Families supply to the needs of support and wellbeing, during which the Anniversary of the International Year of the Family will be treated.
Supporting Immigrant Families in Canada - 04/05/2014
On the United Nations International Year of the Family, the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences of the University of Guelph (Canada) holds an event on 15 April about ‘Supporting Muslim Immigrant Families’.
Requesting American Families - 04/05/2014
Generations United (American NGO based in Washington D.C.) is seeking families to profile for a report in partnership with the Alliance for Children and Families which will be presented to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family at an event on May 13.
Conference in Brussels - 03/29/2014
The International Commission on Couple and Family Relations has organized a Conference in Brussels (12-15 May 2014) to address the challenges facing families around the world twenty years after the United Nations’ International Year of the Family celebrations.
Meeting of families with the Pope - 03/29/2014
The Catholic Church has announced the 8th World Meeting for Families, in Philadelphia, September 2015, coinciding with the process undertaken by the United Nations to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Meeting in the Senate of Argentina - 03/19/2014
The IAE of Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires has organized a meeting to launch the International Year of the Family in Argentina. It takes place the 27 March in the Senate.
Round table in The Cape Town - 03/19/2014
The Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office in South Africa, together with the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders and the Western Cape Department of Social Development, organized on February 28th a round table entitled the ‘The State of the Family in South Africa.’
Hong-Kong stamps - 03/19/2014
As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, Hongkong Post issues a set of special stamps on the International Day of Families to advocate the importance of upholding family values.
Meeting in Sao Paulo - 03/15/2014
The IFFD (International Federation for Family Development) and the Instituto Brasileiro da Família, in coordination with UN DESA, have organized a Meeting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in Sao Paulo next 24 March.
Conference on Family Values and Human Trafficking - 03/15/2014
The European Christian Political Movement, the Group for Combating Trafficking in Persons of the Parliament of Romania, the Ecumenical Prayer Group of the Romanian Parliament and the Federation of Catholic Family Organizations in Europe have organized a Conference on Family Values and Human Trafficking in in Bucharest, 2 April.
Conference on Positive Parenting - 03/15/2014
During the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, UNAF has organized in Santander (Spain) a Technical Conference on Positive Parenting , 26 March.
Messy Church - 03/14/2014
Messy Church, the Christian-based organization of the British based charity Barnardo’s, has published a document with some ideas to live the Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
More activities in Singapore - 03/14/2014
SAFRA, an organization founded to aid the Singapore Armed Forces enhance camaraderie and boost morale, is organizing different activities to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Symposium of the Pentecostal European Fellowship - 03/11/2014
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Pentecostal European Fellowship held for the very first time a Symposium on the Family and Marriage in Hannover (Germany) on March 7.
Photography Competition in Qatar - 03/11/2014
The Doha International Family Institute has opened the ‘Your Family, Your Lens’ photography competition in collaboration with the Qatar Photographic Society as part of celebrating the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Family, Upbringing and Early Care - 03/08/2014
In spain, the ‘Seminario de Intervención y Políticas Sociales’ has organized on April, 1 a conference about ‘Family, Upbringing and Early Care’, to mark the Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Salesians in South Asia. - 03/08/2014
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, 35 delegates belonging to different Salesian family branches of the South Asian region was held on 7-9 February 2014 in Hyderabad (India).
Bridge of Love - 03/08/2014
Bridge of Love, a Barnardos Australia project initiated in 1994, is having a new edition this year for country music to make a new effort to help kids in crisis.
The Civil Society Declaration in Romania. - 03/08/2014
Pakiv, the romanian organization specialized in activities with the Roma minority, praises de Civil Society Declaration on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in its website.
Families in Sub-Saharan Africa - 03/08/2014
As part of the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, Family Impact (Zimbabwe) is producing a report about the state of family in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Doha Briefing - 02/28/2014
The Doha International Family Institute in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations organized the Doha Briefing in New York to celebrate the International Year of the Family anniversary.
In the European Parliament - 02/28/2014
The first deaf person to become member of the European Parliament, Ádám Kósa, has published an article on this anniversary, titled ‘EU must “rethink” its family-oriented policies’.
Barcelona is family - 02/28/2014
The second edition of the Barcelona Awards Ceremony for the Innovative Business in Balancing Work with Family Life 2014, held at the City Hall’s Saló de Cent, signalled the official opening of the International Year of the Family, which the city is participating in.
Growing in my family - 02/28/2014
On the occassion of the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, PTA of Álamos School (Querétaro, Mexico) has organized a contest named ‘Growing in my family’ to share the moments that enrich and promote living together and communicating within the family.
School Awards - 02/28/2014
The Spanish Foundation Paz y Cooperación has presented in UN Headquarters the annual edition of their School Awards, around the topic of the family, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
A Tales Contest - 02/24/2014
In the environment of the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Spanish Federation of Large Familia has convened a National Tales Contest, under the title of ‘Stories of my family’ and for 10-14 yo.
Holistic Development of the Family in Mexico - 02/24/2014
Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (Mexico) has encouraged social, cultural, educational, environmental and sportive institutions to promote policies and programs on intergenerational solidarity during this observance of the 20th Anniversary.
Home Economics in Australia - 02/24/2014
On the occassion of this Anniversary, the Home Economics Institute of Australia will held a conference on ‘Empowering Individuals, Families and Communities through Home Economics’ on 22 March.
Educating children through family - 02/20/2014
The Association for Childhood Education International (Washington D.C., USA) has issued a call to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
In Ontario (Canada) - 02/20/2014
As Family Day 2014 was celebrated across Ontario (Canada)on February 17. At the same time, Our Kids Network launched a call to follow the UN’s global message to celebrate and learn about families during the 20th Anniversary of IYF.
Panel discussion in the Commission for Social Development - 02/20/2014
The critical role of families in meeting sustainable development objectives was the focus of a panel discussion in the Commission for Social Development and in observance of the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Family in EU - 02/20/2014
At the United Nations 52nd Session of the Commission for Social Development, the European Union has delivered a Statement on family issues, among others.
In United Nations - 02/15/2014
The Doha International Family Institute has organized a Side Event during the UN Commission for Social Development in New York City to conmemorate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family, with the participation of the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar, the executive director of the Institute; the UN Focal Point on the Family, the Secretary-General Envoy on Youth and the Director General of The Family Watch.
Conference in London - 02/08/2014
Family Links is holding a conference on Friday 11th July 2014 at the Royal Society of Medicine, London. We will be celebrating the United Nations 20th International Year of the Family, which recognises and supports the development of parenting programmes, quality family relationships and the psychological wellbeing of children and youth.
Public funding for 2014 Family Week - 02/08/2014
The City of Melville is offering up to $1,000 to local community groups and associations in support of events and initiatives that celebrate National Families Week, which takes place across Australia from 15 May to 21 May, with the theme for this year, the 20 year anniversary of the International Year of the Family, being ‘Stronger Families Stronger Communities’.
In UN Commision for Social Development - 01/27/2014
On the 13th February, UN Commision for Social Development will celebrate a High-level Panel discussion on the Family in Observance of the Twentieth Anniversary.
In the Senate of the Philippines - 01/27/2014
On January 20, Phillipines’ Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay has proposed a Resolution joining the other Member States in the Celebration of the 20th Anniversary.
The Family Council of Hong Kong - 01/19/2014
The Family Council of Hong Kong, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will organise during 2014 a series of territory-wide publicity programmes to underline the importance of family, Family Symposiums to raise public awareness. They will also produce family education packages to address the needs of young families and New Arrival families.
A week to celebrate - 01/14/2014
Families Australia includes 600 member organisations in that country and has organized a National Families Week (15 - 21 May 2014) as a time to celebrate, make contact with the extended family and friends and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community.
Cornerstone of our society - 01/06/2014
Humberto Belli Pereira, sociologist and former minister of Education of Nicaragua, published an article on the local press about the importance of families for societies, taking the occasion of this year’s anniversary.
Government of Trinidad and Tobago - 01/06/2014
In a special message after the Cabinet’s first meeting of the year, the Minister Clinton De Coteau explains the Government’s initiative to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family and says that “it is time to revisit our family values” and announces the contents of the ‘Strengthening Our Families’ new program.
Singapore’s Government - 01/02/2014
In his New Year Message, Primer Minister of Signapore Lee Hsien Loong has mentioned the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family and the activities that will be organized, such as “Family Days, Children’s Day celebrations and inter-generational events for grandparents and grandchildren,” telling everyone to “join in them, and make a special effort to spend more time together as a family,” and also to “invite friends, colleagues and neighbours who are away from their own families to join you.”
One Family - 01/01/2014
Besides signing the Declaration of the Civil Society and founding a campaigning national coalition called ‘All Families Matter’, One Family (Ireland) also plans to highlight the year with a number of other smaller events which will be kicked off by a radio documentary on the founding of our organisation over 40 years ago..

DPI/NGO Briefing in partnerhip with DESA/DSPD
A special observance of the International Day of Families will be hold next 15 May in UN Headquarters. This event commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and will feature a panel discussion on ‘Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals.’ A landmark, fully illustrated, commemorative publication by Tudor Rose ‘Family Futures’ will be presented and a copy offered to participants. It is open to the public and will be followed by light lunch (If you need a pass to enter the UN premises, please open the flyer below and click on RSVP link at the bottom). It will also be webcast at UN Web TV.
Secretary-General’s Message...
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