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Mothers and Families
Challenges in a Changing World
The United Nations International Day of Families is an annual event held on May 15th each year at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The “International Day of Families” grew out of “International Year of the Family” that was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 44/82 of 9 December 1989 and celebrated in 1994. The motto of the year, and the annual celebrations that followed, has always been about the family as the “smallest democracy at the heart of society.” The General Assembly decided that the major activities for its observance should be more than an event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and thus it encourages events at the local, regional, and national levels, assisted by the United Nations system. The Division for Social Policy and Development supports the worldwide observance of the International Day of Families by preparing background information on the family for use by Governments, the UN system, including the regional commissions, and UN Information Centres, and NGOs. An annual message of the Secretary-General is prepared for wide distribution and is included in this booklet. The Universal Peace Federation, as an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council, is pleased to support the International Day of Families each year. The UPF also commemorates other important dates in the UN’s calendar, including the International Day of Peace (September 21) and UN Day (October 24). This year’s focus was "Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World," following up on last year’s related topic, "Fathers and Families: Responsibilities and Challenges." In 2007 the theme was "Families and Persons with Disabilities." Viewpoints: Building Strong Marriage and Families Burundi "Harmonious Families as Pillars of Peace," by Hermenegilde Rwantabagu, Academic Affairs Leader, University of Burundi Croatia
"Promoting Marriage and Family in Croatia," by Darka and Marijo Živković, Family Center, Zagreb, Croatia Estonia
"The Importance of Family," by Dr. Ruta Pels, Chair, People to People, Estonia Malaysia
"The Root of Peace Is the Family," by Tan Sri Datin Paduka Zaleha Ismail, Chair, National Population and Family Development Board, Malaysia Micronesia "A New Perspective on the Family," by Iso Iriarte, Senior Advisor, Pohnpei Council of Chiefs, Micronesia Russia
"Peace in the Family," by Galina A. Kharitonova, President, Life NGO, Russia United Kingdom "Ways Municipal Councils Can Promote Marriage," by Nick Gulliford, FOCCUS Scoring Centre, UK
"Address to Focus Group on Marriage and Family," by Edward Hartley, Chairman, UPF-UK Marriage and Family Initiative United States
"The Family: Crucible of Character," by June Saunders, author and researcher
"Sexual Purity and Strong Marriage as Bases for Peace," by Lynn R. Walsh, Chair, Women for Peace
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