International Day of Families 2024- History, Theme, Significance

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International Day of Families

International Day of Families is an annually observed event, celebrated on May 15. This day is dedicated to recognize and acknowledge the importance of families in our lives and society. No matter how complex and diverse they are, families are critically important. Whether a family is defined as a group of individuals into which a person is born or as something gained along the way, this day recognises the value of having a “tribe” of people with whom to go through life! The United Nations focuses on issues vital to the well-being of families globally, such as health, education, children’s rights, gender equality, work-family balance, and social inclusion.

Name of the dayInternational Day of Families
Observed onMay 15th
Reason To honour families as an integral part of society and our lives. 
Theme 2024Not announced yet

History of International Day of Families

  • International Family Day, also known as International Day of Families, is an annual celebration established by the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) in 1993.
  • The first commemoration of the day occurred in 1994.
  • The United Nations stated the goal of establishing this day regarding families was to raise awareness of family issues and expand knowledge of the processes that affect families, including social, demographic, and economic variables.
  • Every year, the celebration of International Family Day brings a slew of new possibilities and ways to raise awareness about the day.
  • The goal is to promote the well-being and care of families all across the world.

Also Read: Global Day of Parents: Theme, Importance, Celebration

Timeline of Events

1. In the United States, National Family Week is established. (1972)

National Family Week was declared in the United States by US President Richard Nixon to be the week after Thanksgiving.

2. The United Nations has declared 2018 the International Year of the Family. (1989) 

After focusing emphasis on family concerns for several years, the United Nations has declared this year the Year of the Family.

3. The first International Family Day is observed. (1994)

The United Nations (UN) established and celebrates the first International Family Day. 

4. The show Modern Family makes its debut. (2009)

This popular American television sitcom appears and has become a fan favourite for more than a decade. 

5. International Family Day has a family and technology emphasis. (2022)

Families and New Technologies is the topic of this year’s International Family Day ceremony.

Source: Calli Art Drawing

What is the Theme of International Day of Families 2024?

The theme of International Day of Families 2024 is, “Families and Climate Change”. It highlights the drawbacks of climate change for our planet as well as for us. It is continuously warming our planet’s temperature and impacting natural phenomena such as rainfall patterns, storms, tornados, etc. Therefore, this theme aims to highlight the importance of education and changing consumption habits to suppress the effects of climate change. 

Previous International Family Day themes have included:

  • 2023 — Families and Demographic Change
  • 2022 — Families and Urbanization
  • 2021 — Families and New Technologies
  • 2020 — Families in Development
  • 2019 — Families and Climate Action: Focus on SDG13

Must Read: Universities in the UK launch ‘bring your family’ campaigns for its international students

How to Celebrate International Day of Families?

Here are some ways to celebrate the International Day of Families:

  • Volunteer as a Family- Participate in the global celebration by collaborating with your family on a community service project. Do you require a recommendation? Consider Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that builds houses for individuals in need. Construct a home for a family while bonding with your own.
  • Make a family tree- Every member of the family can contribute to the creation of your family tree, which you can retain for generations! Inviting grandparents and elder generations to offer useful information about relatives you may not have met is a great way to start. They will welcome being asked about your family history and will enjoy telling anecdotes about each member of the family. There are numerous online tools for capturing your family tree data, as well as firms like ancestry.com that may assist you in finding long-lost relatives.
  • Plan a community family picnic- There may be many families in your neighbourhood that would like to get to know one another but haven’t found out how. A picnic is an excellent way to bring people together! Plan icebreaker games to let everyone get to know one another better, followed by a delicious potluck supper.
Source: Keshavlal Vora

Also Read: International Day of Charity

What is the Importance of the International Day of Families?

The International Day of Families is important for many reasons. Some of them are listed below: 

  • It emphasizes the value of family in society- We will have stronger schools and communities if our families are stronger. Each member of a strong family unit can feel more fulfilled and better about themselves and the world. It also shows how the human family can work together to make the world a better place.
  • It serves as a reminder that no two families are alike- Every family is unique—family can be defined in a variety of ways, as the International Day of Families recognizes. Some families have children, while others do not. Some have only one parent, while others have more than one. International Day of Families is about recognizing all of the individuals you care about, not just those who share your DNA.
  • It’s an opportunity to conduct important discussions- The International Day of Families is a moment for celebration, but it’s also a time for serious discussions about some of the issues that families throughout the world confront. Poverty, a lack of health care, employment, and child-rearing are all difficulties that many families face. And now, we work to raise awareness and understanding of some of these issues. Which one will you discuss with your family today?
World Peace And Understanding DayNational Parent’s Day
Grandparent’s DayInternational Day for Older Persons
World Heritage DayNational Productivity Day

FAQs

Why do we celebrate International Day of Families?

The primary purpose of commemorating International Day of Families is to increase awareness of the value and importance of family. It is also critical to raise attention to the hardships that families face all across the world.

Who started the International Day of Families?

International Family Day, also known as International Day of Families, is an annual celebration established by the United Nations General Assembly (UN-GA) in 1993. The first commemoration of the day occurred in 1994.

What to do on International Day of Families?

The UN organises and promotes a variety of activities, workshops, newspaper articles, and media content on this unique day. Schools and educational institutions are also urged to participate in commemorating International Day of Families.

For more information about such informative articles, check the trending events page of Leverage Edu.

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