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International Families Day 2024: The International Day of Families is an annual observance that takes place on May 15th to celebrate the importance of families and their role in society.
The UN adopted it as a resolution in 1994 to raise awareness about the significance of families, highlight the challenges they face, promote the ideals of togetherness, and showcase the efforts that strengthen family units worldwide.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of International Family Day this year in 2024, here is all you need to know about the day, its origin, significance, and more.
In May 2024, the United Nations will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family on Wednesday, May 15th, focusing on the theme ‘Families and Climate Change.‘
The goal is to increase awareness regarding the effects of climate change on families and encourage them to take action to mitigate these impacts. Family and community initiatives play a vital role in climate action by providing education, information access, training, and community participation.
Empowering families is crucial for meaningful and effective climate action. By instilling sustainable habits and climate awareness in families, we can drive the transition to a circular economy.
In 1983, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission for Social Development recommended that the United Nations focus on family issues. The UN recognised that changing economic and social structures were affecting family units worldwide. Therefore, in 1993, it officially declared May 15th as the International Day of Families.
The day aims to promote awareness of family issues, increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families, and celebrate all types of families while acknowledging their diversity and promoting inclusivity. It is also an opportunity to emphasise the importance of maintaining strong relationships with relatives, thereby benefiting both individual families and society as a whole.
In 2024, the International Year of the Family will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the observance event will feature presentations on the outcomes of major regional IYF+30 preparatory activities, civil society initiatives, recommendations on family policies for climate action, and an interactive discussion. The event will also unveil two publications titled “Climate Change and Families” and “Home, Family, and Climate Change.”.