International Day of Families 2023: History, Theme and Quotes, Quiz

International Day of Families is an initiative by the United Nations to raise awareness on the different kinds of struggles that may impact the basic family structure anywhere in the world. It is observed globally on May 15th every year and helps to highlight the important affairs central to the welfare of families, such as health, education, gender equality, rights for children etc.

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Significance of International Day of Families

This day helps to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge regarding the social, economic, and demographic problems creating an effect on families. The UN has adopted Sustainable Development Goals for the welfare of families and it formulates policies which are important for the achievement of these goals.

History of International Day of Families

The timeline of the history of international day of families is as follows.

• During 1980’s, the United Nations initiated their attention on problems pertaining to the family.
• In 1983, In the resolution on the role of the family in the development process (1983/23), the Commission for Social Development requested the Secretary-General to address  problems and needs of the family.
• On 9 May 1985,  In the resolution 1985/29, the Council invited the General Assembly to consider the possibility of including in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session an item entitled “Families in the development process”.
• On 9 December 1989, the General Assembly proclaimed The International Year of the Family, in its resolution 44/82.
• in 1993 . the General Assembly decided that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families in a resolution (A/RES/47/237). This day provides an platform to the society to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to gain knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
• On 25th September 2015, the member states of UN adopted a set of 17 goals, named the  Sustainable Development Goals, to eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths, address environmental destruction, and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere.

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International Day of Families 2023 Theme 

The United Nations comes up with a new theme every year to highlight important issues that may affect the family structure, and to address different social, economical or demographic factors currently impacting it. The theme for this year is “Families and Urbanization”. Through this, the UN aims to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable, family-friendly urban policies. Urbanization is one of the most important megatrends shaping our world and the life and wellbeing of families worldwide.

Through this theme, UN Sustainable urbanization is related to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, such as eradication of poverty, good health and well-being, to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and to reduce inequality within and among countries. These SDGs and their targets depend on how well urbanization is managed towards benefitting families and enhancing the well-being of all generations living in cities.

International Day of Families 2023 Symbol

The symbol of the International Day of Families consists of a solid green circle with an image in red. The image is a simple drawing of a heart and a house. This indicates that families are the center of society and provide a stable and supporting home for people of all ages.

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Different ways to celebrate International Day of Families

Ensuring the well-being of the family is the duty of every single human being. There can be different methods that can be adopted on day to day basis to check for the physical, mental and social dimensions of health of the family members. When one of the family member is low the others needs to work on uplifting the mood of the family. Hence it is not an assigned job for one member of the family to take care of the rest. It is a mutual understanding that has to be considered by all the members of the family.

International Day of Families 2023: Activities

• Discuss what family means to you and your children.
• Make a family tree – it’s a great way to learn about your family and how everyone relates to each other.
• Play ‘guess who’ – Allocate everyone a family member and ask them to describe them in detail. Others will have to guess who the family member is from the description.
• Encourage kids to read and write stories about families.
• Keep a gratitude jar so that every family member can write down what made them happy that day. It can be read on weekly basis. Being grateful helps in being positive and enhances positive mental well-being.
• Make it a point to call and reach the elders of the family and check for their physical and mental well-being regularly.
• Fix a no electronic gadget time for the family. It can be a no internet dinner as well, where in the family members will talk to each other rather than sticking to the electronic gadgets like always. Make it a point to talk, share and create memories.
• Organize small picnics to nearby calm areas. Invite friends and families and communicate and share joys and sorrows. This way social health can be taken care of well.
• Engage in family meditation.
• Students at school should be given activities that will help them understand the importance of family members and also help them appreciate the efforts of parents.
• Families can plan a volunteering activity and take part in it together along with the society.

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International Day of Families 2023: Quotes

• “Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” – Lisa Weed
•  “The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, lies in its loyalty to each other.” – Mario Puzo
• “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” –Michael J. Fox
•  “Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry
• “So much of what is best in us is bound up in our love of family, that it remains the measure of our stability because it measures our sense of loyalty.” — Haniel Long
• “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” — Mother Teresa
•  “Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.” –John C. Maxwell
• “Family is the most important thing in the world.” — Princess Diana