The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 15 May of every year shall be observed as the International Day of Families. The day reflects the importance that the international community attaches to families as basic units of society as well as its concern regarding their situation around the world. You can find more background on the UN’s International Day of Families web pages.

Why is today important

1. One reason the UN began the International Day of Families is that families and their needs and challenges continue to change dramatically over time, and as a society, we need to do better to acknowledge these issues as they come, and remember that our families are instrumental to a thriving community.
2. “The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic brings into sharp focus the importance of investing in social policies protecting the most vulnerable individuals and families. It is the families who bear the brunt of the crisis, sheltering their members from harm, caring for out-of-school children and at the same time continuing their work responsibilities,” the United Nations explains.

How to observe International Day of Families

Tip:

As we mark this, let’s focus on a fact:

• • The national family day has a lot of interesting components, one of them being a symbol or a logo. The official symbol of International Day of Families is a green circle, and in the middle of that circle, there is a red drawing that looks like a heart beneath a roof. This is to symbolize that family is the center of society and a stable and loving home is pivotal to everything else we do.

In order to celebrate today effectively, here is a list of resources you can use to make the day special – or to plan ahead 

1. Why do we celebrate this day?
2. International Day of Families

Reference Sites

• UN and other international NGO
• Non-Profits website for the observance
• University of the People