15 May 2018: International Day of Families

The United Nations (UN) International Day of Families is celebrated annually on 15 May.

The theme for the 2018 International Day of Families is “Families and Inclusive Societies.” This year’s observance will explore the role of families and family policies in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goal, Number 16 - promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Although families all over the world have transformed greatly over the past decades in terms of their structure and as a result of global trends and demographic changes, the United Nations continues to recognize the family as the basic unit of society.

The International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting them.

The International Day of Families has inspired a series of awareness-raising events, including national family days. In many countries, this day is an opportunity to highlight different areas of interest and importance to families. Activities include workshops and conferences, radio and television programmes, newspaper articles and cultural programmes highlighting relevant themes.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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