The 2017 observance of the International Day of Families focused on the role of families and family-oriented policies in promoting education and overall well-being of their members. In particular, the Day was to raise awareness of the role of families in promoting early childhood education and lifelong learning opportunities for children and youth.
| 2017 International Day of Families’ Theme |
| The Day highlighted the importance of all caregivers in families, be it parents, grandparents or siblings and the importance of parental education for the welfare of children. It focused on good practices for work-family balance to assist parents in their educational and caregiving roles. Good practices from the private sector in support of working parents, as well as youth and older persons in the workplace were also highlighted.The Day also aimed to discuss the importance of “knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development” (SDG4, target 4.7). |
Panel Discussion in Observance of the International Day
at the United Nations Headquarters (18 May 2017)
Moderator
Esuna Dugarova
Policy Specialist, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Families, family policies and Sustainable Development Goals
Presentations
Eduardo Garcia Rolland
Early Childhood Development Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Early childhood education
Patricia Debeljuh
Director, Research Center for Work and Family Balance, IAE Business School, Austral University
Corporate responsibility, work-family balance & Global Home Index
Diego Barroso
Director, Family Enrichment Courses Coordination and Expansion, International Federation for Family Development
Parental education and family well-being
Presentation …
Text (IFFD Paper) …
Michael Robb
Director of Research, Common Sense Media
The impact of media on children’s development and the role of media in promoting parental involvement
Some news from around the world
· Safer Internet Centres in Europe reaches out to parents and carers to help children to use the internet …
· Touchstone UK: it’s imperative that working parents don’t see their existing rights undermined following Brexit …
· Family Day will be celebrated at a day long festival in Dublin’ss Smithfield Square …
· Belize: launch of Children’s Agenda 2017 – 2030, to enhance its reputation as a family friendly tourism destination …
· Qatar: Bhavan’s Public School celebrated International Day at all three campuses …
· In 2016, SOS Children’s Villages supported 90,000 families, through family strengthening …
· Uganda: Family defines widely as a basic unit of social structure …
· The International Day of Families was observed on 15 May 2017 with the theme “Families, education and well-being” …
· Nigeria: International Day of Families and the struggle for education …
· Canada: official message to acknowledge military families for being the strength behind the uniform …
· Union Syndicale Fédérale of Europe: research on combining work and family life …
· Public Radio of Armenia: message to raise awareness about this Day …
· Ukraine: this year’s theme is: Family, education and well-being …
· South Africa: indoor activities that won’t take a lot of time to set up, but that will result in the maximum amount of fun …
· Pakistan: policies for promoting family education and lifelong learning opportunities under discussion …
· Iran: Disability Association of Tavana commemorated the International Day of Families with 52 families. …
· Gambia: this Day is meant to raise awareness on the role of families …
· Belarus: festive campaigns and events will be taking place today throughout the country …
· President Jacob Zuma wishes South Africans a happy International Day of Families …
· Ghana joined with a call for concerted efforts by governments to protect the sanctity of the family systems …
· Tanzania: families at the Heart of the Community …
· European Football for Development Network: sport can play an important role in promoting education …
· New Zealand: NZDF have created a Supporters Medallion …
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