NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES TO BE MARKED AT UNITED NATIONS ON 15 MAY
Press Release
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES TO BE MARKED AT UNITED NATIONS ON 15 MAY
19960513 Theme for Third Annual Observance is 'Victims of Poverty and Homelessness'The International Day of Families is being observed globally for the third time on Wednesday, 15 May. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 47/237 of 20 September 1993, the annual event reflects the importance which the international community attaches to families as basic units of societies, as well as its concern regarding their situation around the world.
The observance provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families, as well as to promote appropriate action, and can become a powerful mobilizing factor on behalf of families in all countries which avail themselves of the opportunity and demonstrate support of family issues appropriate to each society.
The international theme this year -- "Families - Victims of Poverty and Homelessness" -- was suggested by an inter-agency meeting on the International Year of the Family. It associates the observance with the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996), and with the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, next month.
A number of countries and non-governmental organizations have indicated their intention to observe the International Day at the national and local levels. A message of the Secretary-General is also expected, and programmes for the Day have also been initiated by organizations and agencies of the United Nations system.
A panel discussion on the chosen theme will be held at United Nations Headquarters, in Conference Room 4 of the General Assembly Building, on Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, the New York NGO Committee on the Family, and the New York NGO Committee on Southern Africa.
- 2 - Note No. 5338 13 May 1996
The keynote speaker will be Ambassador Clovis Maksoud, Director of the Centre for the Study of the Global South at American University. On the panel will be: David Tobis, of the Center for Family Studies at Hunter College; Meg Gardinier, Executive Director, International Catholic Child Bureau, North America, Inc.; Vinie Burrows, International Democratic Federation, Chair of NGO Committee on Southern Africa; Father Dolan, Special Adviser, Temple of Understanding, St. Emerics Church; and Lydia Gonzalez, Director, Brooklyn Haitian, Ralph and Good Shepherd.
Coordinators for the event are Amr Ghaleb, Officer-in-Charge, Subprogramme on Family, of the United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development in the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development; and Jenny Field, of Baha'i International and Chair of NGO Committee on the Family.
For further information, please contact: Division for Social Policy and Development, Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development, Room DC-1302, United Nations Headquarters, New York, N.Y. 10017; tel: 212-963-3238.
* *** *