International Day of Families

Next International Day of Families Wednesday, 15 May 2024

International Day of Families is an annual observance celebrated on May 15. It is organized by the United Nations and aims to raise awareness about the economic, social, and demographic issues that affect families all around the world. It highlights how important families are in the fabric of international communities and the foundation of society.

In recent years, the International Day of Families has commemorated all families, both traditional and non-traditional, to enforce the fact that there is no blueprint for what a family is meant to be. A family is simply a group of people who love and support each other and are connected by a strong bond.

History of International Day of Families

In 1983 the Economic and Social Council of the UN highlighted to the Secretary-General the importance of drawing attention to the problems and needs of families around the world. Two years later the UN was asked to consider starting a global campaign aimed at Governments and other organizations, as well as the public, to focus on the issue of "Families in the development process".

Eventually, in 1989, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming that year as The International Year of the Family. This inspired the United Nations to establish the International Day of Families in 1993, and it has been observed every year since. ]

Since International Day of Families began, many family-oriented policies and programs have been organized by the UN. helping to achieve their goals of ending the demographic, social, and economic issues that affect international families.

Every year, a different theme is chosen for International Day of Families, to highlight some of the issues at hand that are the focus of that particular year. Some past International Day of Families themes have included:

1996 - "Families: First Victims of Poverty and Homelessness"
2006 - "Changing Families: Challenges and Opportunities"
2010 - "The impact of migration on families around the world"
2015 - "Men in charge? Gender equality and children's rights in contemporary families"
2018 - "Families and inclusive societies"
2017 - "Families, education and well-being"

How to Celebrate International Day of Families

This day is all about family, and how important families are in society and for individual development too.

Organize some fun activities with your family. Reach out to family members who you haven't seen in a while and get the whole extended family together for a family or a picnic. Or, if you have a special family tradition that you share with each other, reminisce about how that tradition started and make a point to continue carrying it through the years.

Another good thing to do on this day is order one of those popular ancestry tests for the whole family, try to find out more about your ancestors, and build a family tree.

While our own family is very important, International Day of Families is about supporting families in need too. Consider volunteering at or donating to a local organization that helps families in your community, such as a shelter for displaced families, or a food bank that helps low-income families have all the basic necessities.