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December,No.17

December,No.17

Family Matters

Circular No. 17 Follow-up to the International Year of the Family

December 1998

The Family Unit

The Follow up to the International Year of the Family is the responsibility of the Division for Social Policy and Development within the Department for Economic and Social Affairs. The follow-up activities to the International Year of the Family are in accordance with intergovernmental mandates e.g. General Assembly resolution 50/142 of 21 December 1995 and 52/81 of 12 December 1997 respectively.

Overview of the Actions Taken by the Family Unit in 1998

The Family Unit is a facilitator for global efforts on behalf of families, and promotes regional and international exchange of experiences in addressing family issues. The Family Unit is committed to keep in train the positive outcomes of the International Year of the Family (IYF).

The following outcomes were achieved in 1998:

  • The UN Workshop on Technology and Families, held in Dublin from 6-10 October 1998 addressed the nature, forms and extent of technological change and its impact on the family;
  • A Survey was conducted on an important issue confronting family policy makers B the balance between work and family responsibilities and the need to advance family friendly policies in the workplace. The countries are: Argentina, Egypt, India and Korea;
  • Selected Country Profiles of Family Sensitive Policies. A survey of national actions on family related issues in Belarus, Benin, Canada, Cameroon, Jamaica and Korea. Was initiated;
  1. The International Day of Families [15 May];
  2. Ongoing consultations with Governments, the UN system, including the regional commissions and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on follow up to the International Year of the Family;
  3. Supporting networks among non-governmental organization committees related to families; and
  4. Mobilizing resources through the UN Trust Fund on Family Activities to support salient national and regional initiatives.

Future Activities: and Envisaged Activities for 1999-2001

A major activity has been, and will continue to be, substantive servicing of inter-governmental meetings as they relate to family issues. Such actions are intended to inform Governments on the progress achieved in the implementation of IYF objectives and to address its mandates pursuant to GA resolution 50/142 and 52/81.

The Family Unit will identify and exchange international Ahow-to@ approaches to developing productive and sustainable frameworks of family policy development.

An Interregional Expert Group Meeting on the identification of Indicators Relating to the Situation of Families is planned. The aim is to support the development and refinement of concepts and indicators concerning the social situation of families, in order to strengthen the ability of Member States to gather data about trends and issues relating to the family.

In the area of research, the Family Unit will undertake research on AEmployment and Family-Supportive Environments in Selected Countries@. The aim will be to identify relevant policies in the area of employment and work family supportive environments.

In addition, there will be a follow up to the UN Workshop on Technology and Families, which was held in Dublin from 6-10 October 1998. In this regard, it is to be noted that the Workshop also requested the United Nations, in partnership with Governments and the NGO sector to promote and conduct qualitative and quantitative research (i) on how technological change affects the

family unit in the performance of its central functions; and (ii) how technological change affects relationships among family members.

The Family Unit will continue to promote the annual observance of the International Day of Families to encourage the active follow up to the IYF at the national and local levels. Within the context of the International Year of the Older Persons, current demographic changes, the recognized contribution of older persons to families, and the mandate of the World Summit for Social Development to strengthen family support to protect older persons, the theme selected in 1999 is: AFamilies for all Ages@.

Finally, the UN Trust Fund on Family Activities will continue to support salient national and regional initiatives. The aim is to increase family specific pilot research activities, programmes and policy development in least developed and developing countries; and countries with economies in transition.

Available documents

Secretary General=s Reports

  • A/50/370 Observance of the International Year of the family
  • A/52/57 Follow-up to the International Year of the Family

General Assembly Resolutions

  • A/RES/50/142 (on the report of the Third Committee A/50/628) B Follow up to the International Year of the Family.
  • A/RES/52/81 Follow-up to the International Year of the Family

Others

  • Families: Victims of Poverty and Homelessness, May 1996
  • Building Families Based on Partnership, May 1997.
  • Families: Educators and Providers of Human Rights, DPI, April 1998.
  • UN Trust Fund on Family Activities. Guidelines for a Project Proposal.
  • Family Matters. Bimonthly circular letter, first issue, July 1996.