International Day of Families is celebrated on May 15 of every year. International Day of Families reflects the importance that the international community attaches to families. The International Day of Families gives an excellent opportunity to promote awareness about the issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families.

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” – Earl Nightingale

History of International Day of Families

In 1994, United Nations proclaimed this day in response to the changing social and economic structures which affect the structure and stability of family units in many regions of the world. The day is an occasion to reflect on the work started in 1994 and to celebrate the importance of people, families, societies, and cultures around the world. Since 1995, the International Day of Families has been celebrated every year. The symbol of the International Day of Families contains a solid green circle with an image in red. The symbol includes simplistic drawings of elements of a heart and house. It indicates that families are the center of society and they will provide a stable and supportive home for people of all ages. International Day of Families is a day of global observance and not a public holiday.

International Day of Families

Themes of International Day of Families

  • 1996 – “Families: First Victims of Poverty and Homelessness.”
  • 1997 – “Building Families Based on Partnership.”
  • 1998 – “Families: Educators and Providers of Human Rights.”
  • 1999 – “Families of all ages.”
  • 2000 – “Families: Agents and Beneficiaries of Development.”
  • 2001 – “Families and Volunteers: Building Social Cohesion “
  • 2002 – “Families and Ageing: Opportunities and Challenges.”
  • 2003 – “Preparations for the observance of the Tenth Anniversary of the International spacerYear spacer of the Family in 2004.”
  • 2004 – “The Tenth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family: A Framework space for Action.”
  • 2005 – “HIV/AIDS and Family Well-being.”
  • 2006 – “Changing Families: Challenges and Opportunities.”
  • 2007 – “Families and Persons with Disabilities.”
  • 2008 – “Fathers and Families: Responsibilities and Challenges.”
  • 2009 – “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World.”
  • 2010 – “The impact of migration on families around the world.”
  • 2011 – “Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion.”
  • 2012 – “Ensuring work-family balance.”
  • 2013 – “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.”
  • 2014 – “Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals; International Year of the Family + 20.”
  • 2015 – “Men in charge? Gender equality and children’s rights in contemporary families.”
  • 2016 – “Families, healthy lives, and sustainable future.”
  • 2017 – “Families, education, and well-being.”
  • 2018 – “Families and inclusive societies.”
  • 2019 – “Families and Climate Action: Focus on SDG 13.”
  • 2020 – “Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing + 25”
  • 2021 – Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all.
  • 2022 – “Families and Urbanization.”
  • 2023 – “Demographic Trends and Families.”

Other Celebrations on May 15

May 15 is also celebrated as

How to celebrate International Day of Families

A wide range of events like workshops and seminars will be conducted at local, national, and international levels. The main aim of the activities is to increase the awareness of the seasonal theme. It includes educational sessions for children and young people to strengthen and support the family units. Toolkits will be created to help people organize celebrations that are aimed at a particular section of the population, like school children or young adults. You can use the hashtag #InternationalDayofFamilies to post on social media.

Thank you for reading the post. Celebrate every day with Happydays365.org and Happy International Day of Families 2023.