International Day of Families, 15 May 2016

21 March 2016

Theme: Families, healthy lives and sustainable future The central goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focus on ending poverty, promoting shared economic prosperity, social development and people’s well-being while  protecting the environment. Families remain at the centre of social life ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socializing children and youth and caring for young and old. From a policy perspective, taking families into account in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals has a potential to speed up the achievements of many targets relating to individuals’ well-being. A number of family policies, such as those supporting the caregiving role of families, work-family balance for parents, empowering families to support their individual members’ health, education and well-being, have been found to contribute to overall development goals. 

In particular, family-oriented policies can contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 1 to 5 relating to doing away with poverty and hunger; ensuring healthy lives and promoting of well-being for all ages; ensuring educational opportunities throughout the lifespan and achieving gender equality. The theme of this year’s observance of the International Day of Families focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Learn more about the 2016 International Day of Families.

News | 19 November 2024
An informal briefing for stakeholders on the preparations for the “World Social Summit” in 2025 under the title “the Second World Summit on Social Development” will be convened by H.E. Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to…
News | 18 November 2024
The United Nations General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/79/L.10 on ‘Sport as an Enabler of Sustainable Development’ by consensus on 12 November 2024. The draft resolution was co-facilitated by Monaco and Qatar, and co-sponsored by Armenia and…
News | 13 November 2024
Registration is now open for the Expert Group Meeting. Every year, the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch within the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes an international expert…