| United Nations | A/50/370 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
6 September 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH
Fiftieth session
Item 107 of the provisional agenda*
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE
WORLD SOCIAL SITUATION AND TO YOUTH, AGEING, DISABLED
PERSONS AND THE FAMILY
Observance of the International Year of the Family
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION ........................................1 - 23
II. CONCLUSIONS .........................................3 - 93
III. BACKGROUND AND OPERATIONAL MODALITIES ...............10 -155
IV. ACTION BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL BODIES ..................16 - 276
V. RELEVANT INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCES ..............28 - 398
VI. ACTION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL ........................40 -5712
VII. MAJOR INSTRUMENTS, CAMPAIGNS AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES 58 -8016
VIII. ACTION BY THE SECRETARIAT ...........................81 -9620
IX. REGIONAL LEVEL ACTION ...............................97 -10224
________________________
* A/50/150.
95-27039 (E) 280995/...
*9527039*
CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
X. ACTION BY THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND INTER-AGENCY
COOPERATION .........................................103 - 10925
XI. ACTION BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ...........110 -11227
XII. ACTION BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ............113 -12528
XIII. ACTION BY RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS ........126 -12933
XIV. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS ............................... 13033
XV. VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE
FAMILY ..............................................131 - 13436
XVI. SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY ....................135 - 13637
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The International Year of the Family was observed in 1994, pursuant to
General Assembly resolution 44/82 of 8 December 1989 and its subsequent
resolutions 45/133 of 14 December 1990, 46/92 of 16 December 1991 and
47/237 of 20 September 1993. In its resolution 47/237, the Assembly
requested the Secretary-General to report to it, at its fiftieth session,
on the observance of the Year at the national, regional and international
levels, and to submit specific proposals on the follow-up to the Year,
including a draft plan of action, if deemed appropriate.
2. The present report is submitted pursuant to that request. It also
responds to the reporting required on the activities for an international
year, in accordance with General Assembly decision 35/424 of 5 December
1980 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on
guidelines for international years and anniversaries. The report provides
a brief global overview of the most significant aspects of the Year's
observance and contains specific proposals on its follow-up. It is beyond
the scope of this report even to list fully the broad array of activities
undertaken at different levels. Supplementary information can be found in a
series of documentation on the Year. In particular, attention is drawn to
the Secretary-General's earlier reports on the Year (A/46/362, A/48/293 and
E/CN.5/1993/3).
II. CONCLUSIONS
3. The International Year of the Family was observed at an important
juncture in the history of the United Nations, on the eve of its fiftieth
anniversary, and formed an integral element of a process of refining the
concepts and mechanisms of development and social progress. The observance
of the Year served to highlight the role of families as basic social units
and the need to pay adequate attention to the family dimensions in
development efforts.
4. The Year's observance has resulted in a significant record of
accomplishment. These include, among others: achieving the Year's
immediate goal of increasing awareness of family issues; advancing the
subject-matter of families in the context of development and in related
international dialogue; an evolution and maturation of an approach to the
family as an object and agent of social policy in many countries and
internationally; increased recognition of the importance of supporting
families and of bringing about positive changes in the family realm as an
integral part of efforts to achieve peace, human rights, democracy,
sustainable development and social progress; an ever growing conviction
that it is in the best interests of individuals and societies to promote
democratic families and family-friendly societies; a myriad of new
initiatives and long-term activities in support of families all over the
world, particularly at the local and national levels; the development or
strengthening of mechanisms devoted to family policy and research; the
mobilization of a global network of partners; and the recognition that,
despite the diversity of families, many key issues relating to families are
common across countries and regions, and that international cooperation on
family issues is valuable.
5. The success of the Year has been achieved, in particular, through a
persistent effort to focus activities at the national and local levels,
supported by selected regional and international measures. Also essential
has been the consistent promotion of a functional approach to families. A
most basic factor has been the extensive, and mutually reinforcing and
complementary, efforts of the numerous partners of the Year, as exemplified
by 157 Member States, 34 organizations and specialized agencies of the
United Nations, several intergovernmental and hundreds of non-governmental
organizations, research and academic institutions, the private sector and
families themselves.
6. The concerted effort to promote the substantive goals, as approved by
the General Assembly, was crucial. It resulted in broad support for the
Year. Subsequently, the Year has been a valuable instrument not only for
promoting support for families as basic social units, but also for
advancing human rights within the family, equal rights and responsibilities
of individual members of families, gender equality, the role of the father,
and protection and development of children. It generated greater
understanding of the situation of families and, at the same time, increased
sensitivity to problems within families, including gender and generational
inequalities, distribution of resources and violations of human rights. A
recurrent conclusion of the Year has been the need for universal
ratification and effective implementation of related basic instruments,
such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
7. Other overriding priority issues identified by the processes of the
Year included supporting the societal functions of families, particularly
with respect to nurturing and care, socialization, transmission of values
and culture, social integration, education, health and living conditions;
the negative impact of poverty and unemployment; family life education;
domestic violence; reconciling work and family responsibilities; families
as units of production and consumption as well as agents of environmental
protection; assistance to families in need, including single-parent
families, especially those headed by women, refugee families and families
in conditions of war; legislation concerning families; and national
capacities to address family issues, including research and policy
development.
8. The Year increased the understanding of the interrelationship of
families to society, including their role as providers and consumers of
services and agents of development. It underscored the need for the
formulation of appropriate and timely policies. A major outcome of the
Year, with a potentially lasting impact, is the greater awareness of the
extent and ways in which policy decisions affect families and the value of
a family-sensitive perspective in policy development and implementation.
Numerous corresponding measures have already been initiated at all levels.
9. As a major phase in a long-term process of supporting families, the
Year has succeeded in meeting its basic objectives. Its achievements
should be built upon through long-term action, including effective follow-
up at all levels. Specific proposals in this regard are contained in
section XVI below.
III. BACKGROUND AND OPERATIONAL MODALITIES
10. Whereas families had long been recognized as basic units of societies
in various international conventions and declarations, family issues have
become the object of increasing attention in the United Nations since the
early 1980s. The newly adopted international plans and programmes of action
in the social policy and development area called for increased attention to
family dimensions. Since its twenty-eighth session in 1983, the Commission
for Social Development and, subsequently, the Economic and Social Council
regularly considered family issues and adopted several resolutions on the
subject, which, inter alia, called for enhancing awareness among decision
makers and the public of family issues and ways of addressing them.
11. The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), at its twenty-fourth session in 1987,
adopted a resolution in which it approved the principle of proclaiming an
international year of the family. The Interregional Consultation on
Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes, convened by the
United Nations in 1987, covered family issues extensively and stressed the
importance of addressing them adequately. Throughout the 1980s, an
increasingly large number of Member States and non-governmental
organizations began to focus attention on the family and called for the
proclamation of an international year of the family.
12. Consequently, at its forty-second and forty-third sessions, the
General Assembly adopted resolutions 42/134 and 43/135 of 7 December 1987
and 8 December 1988, respectively, entitled "Need to enhance international
cooperation in the field of protection and assistance to the family".
Having considered the Secretary-General's reports (A/43/570 and A/44/407)
mandated by those resolutions, the Assembly, on 8 December 1989, adopted
resolution 44/82, in which it proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of
the Family, with the theme: "Family: resources and responsibilities in a
changing world".
13. In that resolution, the General Assembly decided that the major
activities for the observance of the Year should be concentrated at the
local, regional and national levels and assisted by the United Nations and
its system of organizations, with a view to creating among Governments,
policy makers and the public a greater awareness of the family as the
natural and fundamental unit of society. It also endorsed the main
recommendations, objectives and principles for the observance of the Year,
as contained in the Secretary-General's report (A/44/407). Accordingly,
the Year's objective has been to stimulate local, national and
international actions to: increase awareness, understanding and knowledge
of family issues and processes affecting families; focus attention upon the
rights and responsibilities of family members; strengthen national
institutions and stimulate efforts to address family issues; enhance the
effectiveness of relevant local, regional and national efforts; improve
national and international collaboration; and build upon the results of
various international activities.
14. The principles established to guide the Year's preparation and
observance stipulated that the family constitutes the basic unit of society
and therefore warrants special attention; that families assume diverse
forms and functions among and within countries; that the Year should seek
to promote the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals;
that it should foster equality between women and men within families and
bring about fuller sharing of domestic responsibilities and employment
opportunities; that it should give expression to an integrated perspective
of families, their members, community and society; and that it should
constitute an event within a continuing process.
15. The General Assembly designated the Commission for Social Development
as the preparatory body and the Economic and Social Council as the
coordinating body for the Year.
IV. ACTION BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL BODIES
A. General Assembly
16. Review of the preparatory process. Subsequent to the proclamation of
the International Year of the Family, the General Assembly continued its
consideration of the Year's preparations and observance at its forty-fifth,
forty-sixth and forty-seventh sessions and adopted resolutions 45/133,
46/92 and 47/237, respectively.
17. Official launching of the Year. One plenary meeting at the forty-
eighth session of the General Assembly, on 7 December 1993, was devoted to
a formal launching of the Year, in accordance with Assembly resolution
47/237. The meeting was addressed by the President of the Assembly, the
Secretary-General and a representative of the host country, as well as by
representatives of the countries that hosted the four regional preparatory
meetings for the Year. A brief segment for non-governmental organizations
was also held.
18. International Conference on Families. In its resolution 47/237, the
General Assembly further decided to devote two plenary meetings at its
fortyninth session, in 1994, to the implementation of the follow-up to the
Year and to designate those meetings as an international conference on
families, which should take place at an appropriate global policy-making
level. Pursuant to that decision, the Assembly met on 18 and 19 October
1994, in four plenary meetings, as an International Conference on Families.
Following statements by the President of the General Assembly and the
Secretary-General, 45 delegations took the floor, including those who spoke
on behalf of the European Union, the Nordic countries and the Group of
Latin American and Caribbean States. Twenty of these delegations were
represented at the ministerial level or equivalent. A brief segment for
non-governmental organizations also took place as part of the Conference.
The Conference marked the first time that the General Assembly devoted its
plenary meetings exclusively to a discussion of the topic of families. A
brief summary of its discussions is contained in a note by the Secretary-
General. 1/
B. Economic and Social Council
19. At its regular sessions of 1991, 1993 and 1995, the Economic and
Social Council, the coordinating body for the Year, reviewed the
recommendations of the preparatory body and approved its draft resolutions.
C. Commission for Social Development
20. The Commission for Social Development, the preparatory body for the
Year, reviewed the Year's preparation, observance and follow-up at its
thirty-second, thirty-third and thirty-fourth sessions. At its thirty-
second session, it examined a draft programme for the preparation and
observance of the Year, contained in the report of the Secretary-General,
2/ and recommended to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social
Council, the adoption of draft resolution III. At its thirty-third
session, it reviewed the state of preparations for the Year, on the basis
of the report of the SecretaryGeneral, 3/ and recommended to the General
Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, the adoption of draft
resolution VI. At its thirty-fourth session, it considered the note of the
Secretary-General on the current status of implementation of Assembly
resolution 47/237 on the Year 4/ and adopted resolution 34/3, entitled
"Follow-up to the International Year of the Family".
D. Commission on the Status of Women
21. The Commission on the Status of Women, at its thirty-sixth session,
adopted resolution 36/1, entitled "Advancement of women and the family", in
which it recommended to the Commission for Social Development that it take
account of a number of elements when preparing for the Year. Pursuant to
the request of the General Assembly contained in its resolution 46/92, the
text of draft resolution VI of the Commission for Social Development,
entitled "International Year of the Family", was made available to the
Commission on the Status of Women at its thirty-seventh session.
E. Human Rights Committee
22. At its thirty-ninth session, in 1990, the Human Rights Committee
adopted general comment 19 (39), relating to article 23 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 23 of the
Covenant recognizes that the family is the natural and fundamental group
unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. In
its general comment, the Committee noted, inter alia, that the concept of
the family might differ in some respects from State to State, and even from
region to region within a State, and that it was therefore not possible to
give the concept a standard definition. The Committee emphasized, however,
that when a group of persons was regarded as a family under the legislation
and practice of a State, it must be given the protection referred to in
article 23.
F. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women
23. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
considered the International Year of the Family at its eleventh to
thirteenth sessions. At its twelfth session, the Committee was briefed by
the Coordinator for the Year. Pursuant to its earlier decision that its
contribution to the Year would be a general recommendation on article 16
and related articles 9 and 15 of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Committee, at its thirteenth
session, adopted General Recommendation No. 21 on equality in marriage and
family relations.
G. Committee on the Rights of the Child
24. At its seventh session, in 1994, the Committee on the Rights of the
Child held a general discussion on the role of the family in the promotion
of the rights of the child. The Coordinator for the Year addressed the
Committee.
H. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
25. At its forty-seventh session, in 1991, the Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) adopted resolution 47/13,
entitled "International Year of the Family". The Commission urged all
members and associate members to take prompt action to establish national
coordinating mechanisms for the Year, and requested the Executive Secretary
of the Commission to undertake several specific measures, including the
convening of a regional intergovernmental preparatory meeting and the
initiation of a series of country studies on the role of the family in
development.
I. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
26. At its sixteenth session, in 1992, the Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (ESCWA) adopted resolution 189 (XVI), entitled
"Preparation for the International Year of the Family". The Commission
appealed to its member States to exert all possible efforts to promote
awareness of the role of the family as a fundamental unit of society in
furthering economic and social development in the region.
J. World Health Assembly
27. The World Health Assembly, at its forty-sixth session, adopted a
resolution on the International Year of the Family, in which it urged all
Member States to give effect to the objectives of the Year in the health
sector and urged the Director-General of the World Health Organization to
take several specific measures.
V. RELEVANT INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCES
28. The observance of the Year coincided with, and formed part of, a
process of refining the basic concepts of development. The global
conferences of the 1990s provided vital conceptual and policy direction in
this regard. Peace, economy, the environment, social justice and democracy
are now viewed as integral components of development. At their centre is
the human person. Families, as agents and beneficiaries of development,
and as basic social units capable of promoting democratic, just and stable
societies, provide for a human-centred link among the various elements of
development, particularly in its social dimension. The International Year
of the Family served to highlight this important social component of the
global initiatives in pursuit of peoplecentred sustainable development.
Its preparations and observances were guided by that perspective.
Conversely, family issues were extensively covered by the global
conferences and the agendas, plans and programmes of action emanating from
them.
A. World Summit for Children
29. The World Summit for Children adopted the World Declaration on the
Survival, Protection and Development of Children and the Plan of Action for
implementing the Declaration in the 1990s. The Declaration and the Plan of
Action enunciate the importance of the family as the fundamental group of
society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all
its members, particularly children. The Declaration calls for protection
and assistance to families, and giving children the chance to find their
identity and realize their worth in a safe and supportive environment,
through families and other care-givers committed to their welfare. The
Plan of Action recognizes that the family has the primary responsibility
for the nurturing and protection of children from infancy to adolescence,
and that introduction of children to the culture, values and norms of their
society begins in the family. It calls for respect and support for the
efforts of parents and other care-givers to nurture and care for children
in a family environment. It further encourages families to play an active
role in support of the goals of the Plan of Action and calls for the
marshalling of all forms of social mobilization to convey to all families
the knowledge and skills required for improving the situation of children.
B. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
30. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development served
notice that environment permeates all aspects of development; that for
sustainable development to succeed, it must become the concern and
commitment of all segments of society, including families; and that in
order to secure the future of the planet, all actors, including households,
must change the way they behave. In addressing unsustainable patterns of
consumption, Agenda 21, adopted by the Conference, stressed the role of
households as consumers. In the context of addressing demographic dynamics
and sustainability, it made a number of proposals relating to family
welfare, family credit schemes, the responsible planning of family size and
responsible parenthood.
C. World Conference on Human Rights
31. The World Conference on Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action adopted by the Conference stress the need to ensure the
protection of individual's rights in the context of family relationships
and to address discrimination, the denial of equal rights of family
members, particularly women, domestic violence and abuse or neglect of
children. The Conference also pointed out the positive role that families
could play in promoting respect for and the learning and exercise of basic
human rights, and thereby the actual enjoyment of those rights.
D. International Conference on Population and Development
32. The International Conference on Population and Development addressed
family issues extensively. Principle 9 of the Programme of Action adopted
by the Conference states that: "The family is the basic unit of society
and as such should be strengthened. It is entitled to receive
comprehensive protection and support. In different cultural, political and
social systems, various forms of the family exist. Marriage must be
entered into with the free consent of the intending spouses, and husband
and wife should be equal partners." 5/
33. The Programme contains a chapter on "The family, its roles, rights,
composition and structure", wherein objectives and actions are identified
regarding the diversity of family structure and composition, and socio-
economic support to the family. The objectives are: to develop policies
and laws that better support the family, contribute to its stability and
take into account its plurality of forms, particularly the growing number
of single-parent families; to establish social security measures that
address the social, cultural and economic factors behind the increasing
costs of child-rearing; to promote equality of opportunity for family
members, especially the rights of women and children in the family; and to
ensure that all social and economic development policies are fully
responsive to the diverse and changing needs and the rights of families and
their individual members, and provide necessary support and protection,
particularly to the most vulnerable families and the most vulnerable family
members. Several actions are recommended to achieve these objectives.
34. The Programme's chapter on "Gender equality, equity and empowerment of
women" identifies objectives and actions of direct relevance to the family,
such as those related to improving women's access to employment and
educational opportunities, eliminating discriminatory practices against
women, enabling women to combine the roles of child bearing, breast-feeding
and child rearing with participation in the workforce, eliminating violence
against women, equal treatment of girls and boys, equal participation of
women and men in all areas of family and household responsibilities, men's
shared responsibility and active involvement in responsible parenthood, and
child-support laws.
E. World Summit for Social Development
35. Family issues were addressed by the World Summit for Social
Development and are incorporated in the Copenhagen Declaration and the
Programme of Action, 6/ adopted by the Summit.
36. The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development acknowledges that
"societies must respond more effectively to the material and spiritual
needs of individuals, their families and the communities in which they
live". It states that "the goals and objectives of social development
require continuous efforts to reduce and eliminate major sources of social
distress and instability for the family and for society". The
Declaration's principles and goals "recognize the family as the basic unit
of society and acknowledge that it plays a key role in social development
and as such should be strengthened, with attention to the rights,
capabilities and responsibilities of its members. In different cultural,
political and social systems various forms of family exist. It is entitled
to receive comprehensive protection and support". In commitment 4 of the
Declaration, Summit participants resolved to "strengthen institutions that
enhance social integration, recognizing the central role of the family and
providing it with an environment that assures its protection and support".
In commitment 5 they resolved to "promote changes in attitudes, structures,
policies, laws and practices in order to eliminate all obstacles to human
dignity, equality and equity in the family and in society," and "promote
equal partnership between women and men in family and community life and
society, emphasize the shared responsibility of men and women in the care
of children and support for older family members, and emphasize men's
shared responsibility and promote their active involvement in responsible
parenthood and responsible sexual and reproductive behaviour". 7/
37. In accordance with the principles, goals and commitments of the
Copenhagen Declaration as well as those of the International Conference on
Population and Development, the Programme of Action of the World Summit for
Social Development contains numerous specific elements regarding the
family, as they relate, inter alia, to promoting an enabling environment
based on a people-centred approach to sustainable development, eradication
of poverty, expansion of productive employment and the reduction of
unemployment, and social integration. In particular, social integration
should involve encouraging social and economic policies that are designed
to meet the needs of families and their individual members, especially the
most disadvantaged and vulnerable members, with particular attention to the
care of children; ensuring opportunities for family members to understand
and meet their social responsibilities; promoting mutual respect, tolerance
and cooperation within the family and within society; and promoting equal
partnership between women and men in the family.
F. Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality,
Development and Peace
38. The draft Platform of Action considered by the Commission on the
Status of Women for transmission to the Fourth World Conference on Women
reflected family aspects as they relate to gender perspectives in people-
oriented development and advancement of women. The draft Platform defined
five strategic goals to deal with critical areas of concern. One of the
key goals is to "inspire a new generation of women and men working together
for equality". Other areas of concern are the growing burden of poverty on
women, inequality in access to education and health, violence against
women, effects of armed conflicts on women, inequality in access to
economic structures and resources and decisionmaking processes at all
levels, women's human rights, stereotyping of women in the mass media, and
women and the environment. All these areas have special relevance to
equality in the family.
G. Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements
(Habitat II)
39. Two main themes identified by the preparatory process for the Second
United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) are adequate
shelter for all and sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world.
These are crucial to the situation of families. It is expected that the
global plan of action to be adopted by the Conference will contain specific
provisions relating to families. Also, the informal drafting group has
proposed that the statement of principles should make specific reference to
families.
VI. ACTION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
40. Measures were taken in 157 countries for the observance of the Year,
according to the latest information available to the secretariat for the
Year.
41. In order to promote effective national action, three specific
organizational measures were suggested to Governments: designating a
national focal point; establishing a national coordination mechanism; and
formulating a national programme of action to observe the Year. In most of
the countries that took action for the Year, all three suggested
organizational measures were taken, while others undertook the Year's
observances within the context of relevant existing policies and
programmes.
42. The extensive and varying measures taken have been described in the
two editions of the Inventory of National Action. Pertinent information is
also contained in the Secretary-General's earlier reports on the Year
(A/46/362, A/48/293 and E/CN.5/1993/3). A brief analysis is presented
below of the salient features of national action, centred around the three
major organizational measures undertaken, the national priorities
identified and corresponding programme and policy initiatives to address
them, as well as a preliminary assessment of the impact of the Year.
43. The national focal points for the Year served as an invaluable conduit
for information and inquiries, facilitated contact with the secretariat for
the Year, performed diverse other functions and served as members of
national coordination mechanisms. In particular, in the early phases of
the preparations for the Year, they functioned as an important medium for
information sharing and for establishing arrangements at the national
level.
44. National coordination mechanisms for the Year were mostly established
by the Head of State or Government, or through parliamentary action. In
many instances they were headed by or under the patronage of the Head of
State or Government, or the first lady of the country; were established at
the senior governmental level; and often involved several national
ministries, with the ministry or authority devoted to family issues, where
it existed, usually assuming the lead role. They generally enjoyed the
active participation and support of non-governmental organizations,
research institutions, the academic community, the private sector,
religious groups, the media and prominent personalities. Country/regional
offices of the organizations and agencies of the United Nations system were
also often requested to participate. In some countries, the coordination
mechanism had a two-tiered structure consisting of a higher-level honorary
committee, broadly representative of the society, and a working-level
committee for implementation. In many instances national coordinating
bodies established working groups on sectoral issues or programmatic
priorities. In several countries, coordination structures were also set up
at sub-national levels. Local authorities undertook activities at the
community and municipal levels, thus extending the network of coordinating
structures.
45. The functions of national mechanisms routinely involved elaborating
and implementing a national plan; disseminating information; achieving the
involvement of all sectors of the society; undertaking measures to raise
public awareness of family issues and promoting appreciation of the role of
families; and identifying priority issues and concrete actions. In several
instances their functions have been prolonged beyond the Year and
institutionalized, as either special ministries or similar bodies.
46. National plans or programmes for the observance of the Year usually
included the following main features: (a) a research component, involving
activities such as specific studies, surveys, national reports, special
publications, expert meetings, funding for research, publicizing existing
research resources and refinement of data in official statistics; (b) a
legislative component, involving review, reform and enactment of
legislation; publicizing provisions related to families; and special
parliamentary and other debates; (c) support for local initiatives through
facilitative services; (d) specific measures for special needs groups, such
as information materials in Braille and audiotape form or in minority
languages; (e) a private-sector component, involving resource mobilization;
publicizing existing corporate policies benefiting families; promoting
policy-building on issues relating to family and work; promoting corporate
plans for observance of the Year; and use of private-sector information
services to disseminate information; (f) public education components; (g)
promotional and awareness-raising components, incorporating numerous
elements such as extensive activities to observe the International Day of
Families, posters and information material based on the logo of the Year,
campaign mottos or themes, special media events, concerts, sporting
competitions, observances of family days or weeks, special postage stamps,
commemorative coins, publications, contests, artistic exhibits and
competitions, folkloric demonstrations, support of public figures or
celebrities, special theme songs, including the official theme song for the
Year, public announcements from the Head of State or Government, and
opening and closing events for the Year; (h) professional development
aspects, often geared to groups with a direct helping role for families;
and (i) a policy component, involving policy reviews, publicizing existing
policies and programmes, establishing mechanisms for greater inter-sectoral
collaboration, identification of policy "gaps", adoption of new policies,
bilateral assistance and international sharing of experiences on policy
issues, etc.
47. National priorities established for the Year included those associated
with: employment of family members; reconciliation of work and family
responsibilities; family, maternity and paternity leave; domestic violence;
gender equality in families and before the law; demographic change;
displaced persons and refugees; family reunification; migration; poverty;
child care; family-based foster care; adoption; street children; children's
rights in the family and in society; exploitation of children; breast-
feeding, maternal and child health and mortality; fertility; abortion;
adolescent pregnancy; family life education; responsible parenthood;
parenting skills; the role of men in families and the role of fathers; the
girl child; impact and use of media; numerous issues related to marriage
and divorce; families as sources of joy, security, love and caring;
changing family forms, notably the growing number of single-parent female-
headed households; disability; socialization and social integration of
youth; intergenerational relations and issues; rights and responsibilities
of and in families; education within and supported by families; democracy
and tolerance; literacy, particularly of women; immunization and
preventative public health; family health care; nutrition; safe water
supply; housing and shelter issues; unpaid domestic work; rural families;
families as micro-support units; rural development and subsistence
agriculture; family-based enterprise; consumption practices; erosion of
family ties and weakening of familial support systems; ethics and moral
education in families; transmission of values, culture and traditions;
juvenile crime; prisoners; drug abuse; HIV/AIDS prevention and care; social
security; environmental protection; recreation; families in transitional
economies; large families; issues related to multicultural and multilingual
families; ethnic minority families; families in conditions of war; etc.
48. Approaches to address these priority issues included correspondingly
diverse programme initiatives: introduction of income supports, such as
parenting allowance and home child-care allowance; tax and credit reliefs;
elaboration of training courses for families or family members on a broad
range of issues; family mediation services; numerous initiatives concerning
balancing work and family responsibilities; employee assistance programmes
and parental leave schemes; counselling centres and employment agencies;
integrated professional centres providing comprehensive services to
multiple-need, at-risk families; outreach programmes, including
decentralization of services for families; support for preschool children
of low-income families; earlyintervention programmes for child health,
domestic violence and other issues; national prevention strategies for
child abuse and neglect; crisis centres for victims of domestic violence;
establishment of schools, housing facilities, feeding programmes and other
services for street children and abandoned children; training and support
programmes for family-based carers; family reunification programmes for
displaced, refugee or migrating persons; training of health-care
professionals; food and medicine distribution programmes; prenatal
nutrition programmes; introduction of family studies in the school
curriculum; teacher sensitization training; programmes to promote
educational roles of parents; early childhood and family education
programmes; family court systems; family consultation and other services in
criminal justice systems; training programmes for juvenile court judges;
funding programmes for communitybased projects and services for families;
construction of housing units; lowincome housing strategies; initiatives to
strengthen families as units of production and self-sufficiency; programmes
for substance-abusing parents and others dealing with addicts and their
families; parenting skills projects and services; etc. Most of these
initiatives have been intended to become part of ongoing programmes.
49. Attention was also focused on policy issues as they related to
families in the national context and resulted in a broad array of policy
initiatives. These included or addressed: large-scale decentralization
initiatives, introducing new frameworks for policy development and
implementation; entitlements and leave provisions enabling parents to be
more active in children's education; mechanisms to permit a fuller
reconciliation of employment and family responsibilities; incentives for
the greater involvement of men in domestic responsibilities; mechanisms and
responsibilities for the protection of children in families; support for
families with children; national plans to eradicate domestic violence;
efforts to eliminate occupational and income discrimination against women;
paternity, maternity and family leave policies; numerous tax-system based
provisions or reforms; removing gender bias from policies dealing with
family issues; gender equality in respect of marital property and
responsibilities in alimony; building mediation processes into formal
divorce proceedings; inclusion of a family focus in small enterprise
development strategies; establishing equality or equity between different
family types, notably in respect of access to programmes, benefits and
services; programmes that increase and foster the self-sufficiency of
families and their capacity to contribute to personal development and to
communities; affirmative action programmes for vulnerable family members or
families in need, such as singleparent families; assistance programmes for
families in poverty; etc.
50. In several countries, an outcome of the Year was the development of
policy discussion papers and specific recommendations for consideration by
national Governments. Many new policy developments or refinements included
an assessment of policies for their congruence with internationally adopted
standards or initiatives. Policy recognition and support of families was
also introduced or strengthened in existing broad national strategies, such
as multi-year development plans.
51. In many countries the Year was seen as an opportunity to update,
refine or develop legislation concerning families and on a broad spectrum
of familyrelated priority issues. In particular, it served as an occasion
to identify legislative and other measures required to implement
international conventions, notably the Convention on the Rights of the
Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women.
52. The Year had an important impact on the structure and functioning of
institutions whose work related to families, by serving as an opportunity
to set up or strengthen them and establish or expand services. These
included national research institutions devoted to family issues; national
observatories on family policies; ministries with a mandate for a new or
existing family policy; and working groups or special task forces on family
issues.
53. National measures for the observance of the Year also contained
provisions for international cooperation and experience sharing. This
included bilateral cooperation and development assistance as well as
national initiatives to promote regional and international cooperation on
family issues, some of which are listed in section VII below. Proposals
have also been made for a centre on family studies, by the Republic of
Korea; and for observatories on family policy issues in the Mediterranean,
by Malta, and in the Maghreb, by Tunisia.
54. National measures for the Year have been successful in raising public
awareness of family issues, including increased knowledge of the economic,
social, demographic, cultural and other factors affecting families and
their members. Major factors that contributed to this outcome included:
explicit recognition of awareness-raising as a national goal for the Year;
broad dissemination of information; promotion of research on family issues;
concerted efforts to focus on key issues that were identified through
public discussions, which were complementary to national development
objectives; a process of extensive consultations; and intensive involvement
and interest at the grassroots level in the underlying substantive issues
and their relevance to diverse professional and other groups. Several
countries reported hundreds of events, projects and initiatives, with broad
popular participation.
55. Among the most common concerns addressed in the context of the Year
was the relationship between work and family life. The double burden of
domestic and paid work by women was a major issue. In developed countries,
emphasis was placed on the roles and responsibilities of employers in
achieving a balance between work and family life, as well as on the role of
men, particularly fathers, in family responsibilities and domestic work.
Promoting gender equality in society and in family life was another common
basic concern. Related specific issues included the situation of the girl
child; access of women to education, training and services; property
rights; domestic violence; women's legal protection concerning marriage and
divorce; and increasing numbers of single-parent families headed by women.
The need for continuing efforts to promote gender equality in families and
the role that families can play in achieving gender equality in the greater
society was widely recognized.
56. National observances of the Year were mostly organized around a
functionalist perspective on families, focusing on their real or potential
contributions to development and on the problems within or external to
families which undermined constructive family functioning. This approach
generally proved very useful as a basis for consensus building and joint
action, although a number of issues still remained divisive. A critical
outcome of the Year at the national level was the recognition that much
existing policy and practice could be improved.
57. The intense involvement of the non-governmental sector at the national
level was perceived as an important element for the successful outcome of
the Year.
VII. MAJOR INSTRUMENTS, CAMPAIGNS AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES
58. In addition to measures already described, numerous other special
initiatives, campaigns and projects for the Year were undertaken by several
actors. To the extent possible, these are mentioned in the relevant
publications of the secretariat for the Year, including the calendar of
events. The secretariat played a catalytic, facilitative and/or
implementing role for many of them. Some of the major initiatives and
projects are briefly described below.
59. Official emblem. An official emblem for the Year was chosen in 1990.
Guidelines on its use, in the six official languages, and camera-ready
copies were widely distributed.
60. Booklet on the Year. A booklet on the Year, containing detailed basic
information on its substantive and organizational aspects, was published as
early as 1990 in English, and subsequently in French and Spanish.
Approximately 110,000 copies were distributed. The booklet was translated
into the national languages in several countries.
61. Theme song. A theme song for the Year, entitled "The family", was
selected in 1992. Its lyrics and music were widely distributed; its use
was promoted and national language versions were sung in several countries.
62. "Testimonials of IYF patrons". As a means of promoting action for the
Year and recognizing outstanding contributions, testimonials designating
their recipients as the Year's patrons were established by the Coordinator
for the Year in 1992. Since then, almost 500 testimonials have been
awarded to individuals, governmental institutions, national coordinating
committees, intergovernmental and voluntary organizations, research and
academic institutions, and private firms from around the world.
63. Bulletin on the Year. The secretariat for the Year published,
quarterly, "The family: bulletin on the International Year of the Family",
in English, French and Spanish; its 18 issues between 1991 and 1995 had an
average distribution of 12,000 copies each.
64. IYF Occasional Papers Series. In 1992, the secretariat initiated the
IYF Occasional Papers Series, as a vehicle for reportage on the state of
current thinking on some of the pivotal issues concerning families.
Seventeen issues have been published in English, and three issues are
scheduled for publication in 1995. An average of 3,000 copies of each
issue were distributed.
65. "First Ladies for the Family". In 1991, the then First Lady of Costa
Rica, Madame Gloria de Calderon-Fournier, launched a campaign among the
First Ladies of the world to support the Year, with the theme "First Ladies
for the Family". As part of this campaign, in September 1993, the First
Ladies of Latin America and the Caribbean adopted the Declaration of Costa
Rica in support of the Year.
66. "North Americans for IYF". "North Americans for IYF" has been an
ongoing regional voluntary initiative in support of the Year, begun in
early 1992 and organized in cooperation with the San Diego Chapter of the
United Nations Association of the United States of America. The initiative
continues to carry out a major information campaign focusing on local
activities and strengthening networks of people and organizations
interested in family issues.
67. Ad hoc inter-agency meetings on the Year. In order to achieve a
harmonized and coordinated approach and action by the organizations and
agencies of the United Nations system, ad hoc inter-agency meetings on the
Year were instituted by the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC).
These meetings were organized annually from 1991 to 1995.
68. Regional and interregional preparatory meetings for the Year. In
order to provide impetus and support for national and local activities,
four regional and interregional preparatory meetings for the Year were held
in 1993, attended by representatives of a total of 110 countries, some of
which attended more than one meeting:
(a) United Nations Africa and Western Asia Preparatory Meeting for the
International Year of the Family, held from 29 March to 2 April 1993 at
Tunis, organized by the secretariat for the Year in cooperation with the
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (ESCWA), at the invitation of the Government of Tunisia;
(b) United Nations Europe and North America Preparatory Meeting for the
International Year of the Family, held from 26 to 30 April 1993 at
Valletta, organized by the secretariat for the Year in cooperation with the
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), at the invitation of the Government
of Malta;
(c) United Nations Asia and Pacific Preparatory Meeting for the
International Year of the Family, held from 24 to 28 May 1993 at Beijing,
organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP) in cooperation with the secretariat for the Year, at the invitation
of the Government of the People's Republic of China;
(d) United Nations Latin America and Caribbean Preparatory Meeting for
the International Year of the Family, held from 9 to 13 August 1993 at
Cartagena de Indias, organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in cooperation with the secretariat for the Year,
at the invitation of the Government of Colombia.
69. The meetings adopted specific recommendations and political statements
of support for the Year: the Declaration of Tunis, the Valletta
Declaration, the Beijing Declaration on the Family in Asia and the Pacific,
and the Cartagena Declaration, respectively. Further details on the
meetings are contained in the Secretary-General's report on the Year to the
General Assembly at its fortyeighth session (A/48/293).
70. World Non-Governmental Organizations Forum Launching the Year. The
World Non-Governmental Organizations Forum Launching the International Year
of the Family was held from 28 November to 2 December 1993 at Valletta,
with the theme "Promoting families for the well-being of individuals and
societies". It was organized by the Non-Governmental Organizations
Committee on the Family at Vienna, in cooperation with other non-
governmental organization (NGO) committees and the secretariat for the
Year, at the invitation of the Government of Malta. Attended by more than
1,000 participants from over 100 countries, the Forum was the first such
gathering of NGOs working on family issues. It highlighted the involvement
of the NGOs in the Year and provided a unique impetus for local action all
over the world, especially by providing a platform for networking,
information exchange and fostering ideas. The Forum endorsed the Malta
Statement of the World NGO Forum.
71. International Day of Families. In its resolution 47/237, the General
Assembly decided that, beginning in 1994, 15 May of every year shall be
observed as the International Day of Families. The secretariat for the
Year promoted the observance of the Day in 1994 and 1995 and distributed
suggestions for activities. In 1994, the Day was observed under the theme
of the Year - "Family: resources and responsibilities in a changing
world". The theme for the Day in 1995 was "Tolerance begins in the
family", in view of the observance of 1995 as the United Nations Year for
Tolerance. The Fifth Ad Hoc Inter-Agency Meeting on the Year recommended
the following themes for the Day's observances in the forthcoming years -
1996: "Families - victims of poverty and homelessness"; 1997: "Building
families on equality and equity"; 1998: "Family -source of education for
human rights"; 1999: "Families for all ages"; and 2000: "Families -
agents of development and social progress".
72. Family themes for observance of international days in 1994. In 1994,
family-specific themes were adopted for the observance of international
days other than the International Day of Families: World Environment Day,
5 June, under the theme "One earth, one family"; World Habitat Day, 3
October, with the theme "Home and the family"; and World AIDS Day, 1
December, under the theme "Families take care".
73. International conference: "Today's families: a bridge to the
future", and the International Family Policy Forum. An international
conference of governmental and non-governmental sectors, entitled "Today's
families: a bridge to the future", was held at Montreal from 12 to 15
October 1994. It was organized by the International Conferences on Social
Development in cooperation with the secretariat for the Year and the
Canadian Committee for the Year. The Conference was attended by over 500
participants from more than 55 countries, and adopted the Montreal
Statement. Discussions held in the context of the Conference led to the
launching of an International Family Policy Forum, which is expected to
become operational in Montreal in 1995. The Forum's objective is to
support policy-making at all levels by promoting and providing
partnerships, information, expertise and a developmental approach to
emerging policy issues as well as international dialogue.
74. United Nations Interregional Meeting of National Coordinators/Focal
Points for the International Year of the Family. The United Nations
Interregional Meeting of National Coordinators/Focal Points for the Year
was convened from 4 to 9 February 1995 at Bratislava by the secretariat for
the Year, in collaboration with the Bratislava International Centre for
Family Studies and at the invitation of the Government of Slovakia. It was
attended by representatives of 73 countries and observers from concerned
organizations. The meeting reviewed the global observances of the Year and
their implications for national social policies in the process of
sustainable development; considered concepts and forms of international
cooperation on family issues, with particular emphasis on assistance to
developing countries; and identified strategies and recommendations
regarding national, regional and international follow-up to the Year.
75. IYF Patron Cities Program and World Conference of Mayors, Local
Government and Private Sector Partners. The IYF Patron Cities Program was
initiated in 1993 by Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, with the
objective of promoting active participation of cities, local government and
private-sector partners in the Year and stimulating specific action by them
on behalf of families. The programme organized a World Conference of
Mayors, Local Government and Private Sector Partners, from 16 to 19 March
1995 at Salt Lake City, in cooperation with the secretariat of the Year and
hosted by Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County. It was attended by some 500
participants from more than 50 countries. It adopted the Salt Lake City
Declaration on Family-friendly Communities and initiated a network of
cities, local governments and private-sector corporations and businesses on
families.
76. Bratislava International Centre for Family Studies. The Bratislava
International Centre for Family Studies was established by the Government
of Slovakia in September 1993. It serves as a national centrepiece for
Slovakia on family issues and as an international platform for promoting
global cooperation in family research, training and exchange. Its
affiliation with the United Nations has been proposed by the Government.
In its resolution 47/237, the General Assembly noted with interest "the
proposal by the Government of Slovakia that the Bratislava International
Centre for Family Studies be affiliated with the United Nations".
77. Center for Family-friendly Cities. The Center for Family-friendly
Cities was established in 1994 at the University of Akron, Ohio, United
States. The Center will serve as an international resource for cities,
public and privatesector organizations, educational institutions and
businesses that work on urban matters. It has established a communications
network that is designed to search, retrieve and store information on
family-friendly programmes in urban settings.
78. Australian Institute for Family Studies' research network on family
issues. The Australian Institute for Family Studies, with the support of
the secretariat for the Year, published the International Directory of IYF
Research Activities and has initiated an interactive international research
network on family issues.
79. The Austrian Institute for Family Research. The Austrian Institute
for Family Research was established by the Austrian Federal Ministry of
Youth and Family. The Institute's objectives are to improve conditions of
family life for the general welfare of families and to promote a network
for cooperation in national and international research on families.
80. Austrian Visitors' Programme for Studying Exemplary Family Benefits
and Family Services. The Visitors' Programme was also initiated by the
Austrian Federal Ministry of Youth and Family as an incentive for
international cooperation and exchange of information on family issues. It
offers an opportunity to representatives of developing countries to study
family issues and programmes in Austria.
VIII. ACTION BY THE SECRETARIAT
81. In June 1990, the Secretary-General designated the Director of the
Social Development Division as Coordinator for the International Year of
the Family. A small organizational secretariat for the Year was also
established. In the context of the restructuring of the economic and
social sectors of the United Nations Secretariat in 1993, the Coordinator
and the secretariat remained at Vienna, as part of the Department for
Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development.
82. The Secretary-General, in addition to addressing the relevant plenary
meetings of the General Assembly, issued 11 messages in connection with the
Year.
83. A priority task of the secretariat for the Year, which served as a
catalyst, facilitator and coordinator of action, was mobilizing and
assisting the numerous potential actors to undertake effective measures for
the Year. Other priorities included substantive servicing of
intergovernmental bodies and meetings; promoting and anchoring the Year's
substantive orientation and objectives; initiating and conducting an
intense promotional and information campaign; and resource mobilization.
84. Based on an assumption that the subject of the family lends itself to
a cross-sectoral approach in social policy and offers a unique convergence
and comprehensiveness of issues, efforts were made to promote coverage of a
broad spectrum of substantive issues, while maintaining the focus on the
Year's basic objectives. This proved effective and instrumental in
achieving broad support for the Year and in alleviating any initial
concerns.
85. The secretariat maintained close contacts with the Year's major actors
throughout the process. A series of discussions was held with numerous
high-level government officials and policy makers, heads of organizations,
leaders of research and academic institutions as well as the private
sector. In response to requests, advisory services were provided to
Governments, national coordination mechanisms and the non-governmental
community. Substantive contributions to and participation in a series of
special events were made. Numerous articles and introductory statements for
publications were provided. Valuable resources were mobilized for the Year
from the public and private sectors, including the business community, in
both cash contributions to the Voluntary Fund for the Year, totalling more
than $2 million, and numerous in-kind contributions to the secretariat for
the Year.
86. Concerted efforts were made, and harmonized approaches adopted, to
highlight and promote the family-related aspects of the major United
Nations conferences and international years. The secretariat worked in
close cooperation with the secretariat units responsible for servicing
those events. A memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the
collaborative arrangements between the secretariat for the Year and the
International Olympic Committee, the Bureau of Coordination of the
International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal, 1994.
87. The secretariat for the Year prepared reports and provided substantive
services to the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the
Commission for Social Development in their deliberations relating to the
Year and family issues. This included organizational support for the
meetings of the General Assembly for the official launching of the Year and
for the International Conference on Families.
88. A priority concern was to mobilize and assist Member States in
preparing for and observing the Year. Suggested guidelines on the
establishment of national coordination mechanisms were made available in
1991. A Guide for a National Action Programme on the Year was issued in
1992. The national coordinating mechanisms and focal points were kept
abreast of developments through circular letters and periodic mailings of
materials. Regular reports and updated lists were widely circulated on the
formation of national coordinating mechanisms, the designation of national
focal points and on emerging national plans, to encourage and facilitate
such developments in other countries. Two editions of an Inventory of
National Action were published, the first in 1992 and the second in 1994.
Four regional and interregional preparatory meetings were undertaken. The
United Nations Interregional Meeting of National Coordinators/Focal Points
for the International Year of the Family was held. An Interregional
Meeting on the Role of the Family in the Socialization of Youth was
organized. Moreover, throughout the process, extensive documentation and
material to launch promotional and information activities was provided.
89. The secretariat also paid special attention to mobilizing other
partners, assisting them in their efforts and collaborating closely with
them. It provided substantive support for the activities of the
organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, promoted inter-
agency collaboration, organized and followed up on five annual ad hoc
inter-agency meetings on the Year and took the lead role in implementing
their recommendations. It published a compilation of the family-related
mandates and activities of the concerned entities of the United Nations
system, entitled "United Nations System and the IYF".
90. The secretariat maintained an extensive network of cooperation and
support with several other intergovernmental organizations and a large
number of international, regional and national non-governmental
organizations. During the early preparatory stages, three informal
consultative meetings of representatives of non-governmental organizations
committees and groups on the family were held to explore ways of effective
and advance cooperation. Particularly noteworthy was the secretariat's
close cooperation with the Non-Governmental Organizations Committees on the
Family at Vienna, New York and Paris. They were invited to participate, in
an observer capacity, in the ad hoc inter-agency meetings on the Year. The
secretariat provided extensive organizational and substantive support for
holding the World Non-Governmental Organizations Forum Launching the Year.
91. The secretariat worked closely with numerous academic and research
institutes, encouraged research on family issues and promoted collaboration
among family-related research institutes. More than 200 institutions,
working in family-related areas in 116 countries, were contacted. The
secretariat signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian
Institute for Family Studies and closely cooperated with it.
92. The secretariat initiated, implemented and/or provided support for
numerous special undertakings for the Year, as described in section VII
above. Substantive and promotional support was also provided to a wide
range of other meetings, events and initiatives, including through
participation, messages and provision of material. Several of these were
held in cooperation with the secretariat.
93. The secretariat was responsible for the substantive management of the
Voluntary Fund for the International Year of the Family. It carried out
work for the allocation of the Fund's resources, reviewed numerous requests
for funding, processed grants for projects and monitored their
implementation. It published a Project Catalogue, containing information
on projects supported by the Fund and on those identified for consideration
by donors.
94. The secretariat conducted a substantive publications programme and
supported publications on family issues. Several of its publications are
mentioned above. Seventeen issues of the IYF Occasional Papers Series have
been published, on the following topics: Family matters; Family: forms
and functions; Family and crime; Older persons in the family: facets of
empowerment; Family as an environment: an ecosystem perspective on family
life; Partnership families: building the smallest democracy at the heart
of society; Family leave: changing needs of the world's workers; Family
enrichment: programmes to foster healthy family development; The
intersection of family, gender and economy in the developing world;
Families and disability; The family and youth: issues, problems and
opportunities; Migration and the family; The elderly and the family in
developing countries; Reinventing fatherhood; The concept of family health;
Families: agents and beneficiaries of social development; and Families in
exile: reflections from the experience of UNHCR. Three closing issues are
scheduled, on: Families and education; Families function; and Empowering
families. In cooperation with the secretariat, United Nations Publications
is finalizing a book containing the first 15 papers of this series. The
secretariat is also finalizing an indicative guide for action on family
issues, to serve as a stimulus for long-term follow-up action to the Year.
Also planned for publication is a compilation of the Secretary-General's
statements and messages in connection with the Year.
95. The secretariat carried out an extensive public information and
promotional campaign in close cooperation with the Department of Public
Information of the United Nations Secretariat and promoted the active
involvement of the mass media and the private sector. In addition to a
basic booklet, the official emblem and a theme song, numerous other
materials were developed and widely disseminated from an early stage
onwards. These included two introductory posters, published in 1990 and
1991, and a major campaign poster in the six official languages, published
in 1992; a press kit, three public television announcements and two
documentary films on single-parent families and on the family and ageing,
produced by the Department of Public Information; a regularly updated
calendar of events related to the Year; stickers on the Year and the
International Day of Families.
96. As part of its promotional and information campaign, the secretariat
initiated and supported the implementation of numerous projects. This
included world-wide information campaigns specifically addressed to
television and radio networks, newspapers, magazines and airlines to
encourage topical coverage and promotion; numerous gift and commemorative
items displaying the logo of the Year, such as timepieces, cloth emblems,
T-shirts, keychains, calendars, umbrellas, earrings, balloons, brooches,
pins, etc; souvenir items by the United Nations Sales Section and the
UNICEF Greeting Card Operation; a special series of commemorative IYF
stamps by the United Nations Postal Administration and some 60 national
postal administrations; art and photo exhibitions and competitions;
promotional publications; and concerts devoted to the Year.
IX. REGIONAL LEVEL ACTION
97. A wide array of activities was undertaken at the regional level,
including four regional preparatory meetings, with the objective of
supporting and supplementing national and local efforts. The regional
commissions of the United Nations played a leading role in this regard, in
close cooperation with the secretariat for the Year and in harmony with
regional intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as well as
the regional offices and affiliates of concerned international
organizations. Several of these measures were described in the Secretary-
General's earlier reports as well as in the secretariat's publication
entitled United Nations System and the IYF. Mentioned below are indicative
features and examples of major activities of the regional commissions of
the United Nations.
98. The activities of ECE included studies on family change and policies;
a project entitled "Promotion of fertility and family surveys in developing
ECE countries"; the convening of the European Population Conference, which
had fertility and family as one of its themes; and sensitizing non-
governmental organizations about the Year and promoting their
participation.
99. The pivotal role of the family in development is recognized in the
Social Development Strategy for the ESCAP Region Towards the Year 2000 and
Beyond, adopted by the Fourth Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on
Social Welfare and Social Development, held in October 1991. Issues
relating to the family are an important element of the Strategy. ESCAP
published studies on the changing role of the family as a social
institution in development in the Asian-Pacific region, on national
policies and programmes for the family in Asia and the Pacific and on the
role of the family in development. The Commission also enhanced public
awareness of family issues in the region through a special issue of the
Social Development Newsletter, which focused on the family and development.
100. ECLAC promoted national efforts and helped to improve the
coordination of regional efforts of the United Nations agencies; provided
information and analysis of the current situation of families; conducted
policy-oriented studies; and elaborated proposals for governmental action.
ECLAC's publication entitled Social Panorama included studies on the
conditions under which families may hinder the educational achievement of
children and youth. The Commission convened meetings and workshops, which
addressed: a regional diagnosis of the situation of families; data
collection techniques and methodologies for the improvement of the
statistical visibility of family issues; family, development and population
dynamics in Latin America and the Caribbean; and information requirements
for the design of social policies on family issues.
101. ECA focused on analysing and promoting accurate knowledge on the
impact of socio-economic changes and developments on the family. The Third
African Population Conference was convened by ECA at Dakar in December
1992; its agenda included the topic "African family systems in the context
of socio-economic development". ECA organized an expert group meeting on
the impact of economic and social changes on the African family.
102. ESCWA focused on reviewing and analysing the impact of socio-economic
changes on the Arab family, harmonizing the role of women within and
outside the family, assessing the needs of the family in terms of shelter,
and surveying families in war-torn areas. It prepared a regional study on
the impact of social and economic changes on the Arab family; organized a
regional seminar on the role of the family in integrating disabled women
into society; and convened an expert group meeting on the Arab family.
Studies were also carried out on family planning, health and family well-
being; the role of the informal sector, particularly the family, in
providing support and services to the elderly in the ESCWA region; the
situation of families in Western Asia; and an assessment of the situation
of Arab women returnees and their families as a result of the Gulf war.
X. ACTION BY THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND INTER-AGENCY
COOPERATION
103. The General Assembly, in its resolutions 44/82, 45/133, 46/92 and
47/237, invited the specialized agencies and organizations to exert all
possible efforts in the preparation for and observance of the Year and to
cooperate with the Secretary-General in achieving its objectives. A total
of 34 concerned entities of the United Nations system, including the
regional commissions, undertook numerous and diverse specific measures.
Within the United Nations Secretariat, the following offices were involved
in activities for the Year: Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development (the secretariat for the International Year of the
Family, Division for Social Policy and Development and the Division for the
Advancement of Women), Department for Economic and Social Information and
Policy Analysis (Population Division and Statistical Office), Department of
Administration and Management (Conference Services), Department of Public
Information, ECE, ESCAP, ECLAC, ECA, ESCWA, United Nations Office at Vienna
(Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch), United Nations Centre for
Human Rights, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and
United Nations Environment Programme. The United Nations bodies concerned
included: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations
Development Fund for Women, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations International Drug
Control Programme (UNDCP), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and United Nations University.
Research institutes included: United Nations Interregional Crime and
Justice Research Institute, United Nations Research Institute for Social
Development and International Research and Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women. Two joint bodies were involved: the World Food
Council and the World Food Programme. The specialized agencies included:
International Labour Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank,
Universal Postal Union, World Meteorological Organization and International
Fund for Agricultural Development.
104. A detailed description of each entity's activities and the measures
for inter-agency cooperation and coordination is contained in the
SecretaryGeneral's earlier reports and in the secretariat's publication
entitled "United Nations System and the IYF".
105. At an early stage of preparation, the concerned entities of the
United Nations system designated a focal point for the Year, in order to
facilitate and coordinate contributions. They also undertook a review of
their respective family-related mandates and programmes and identified
priorities as well as venues for involvement. Whereas activities for the
Year were generally undertaken within the context of ongoing programmes, a
number of new projects were also initiated. Efforts were made to
reformulate and reorient programmes, so as to reflect the Year's
objectives, incorporate and highlight familyspecific elements and provide
more emphasis on different aspects of the functioning of families.
106. The Year also led to the adoption of a family-centred or family-
oriented approach in programme implementation and service delivery,
strengthening of programme elements relating to the family and specific new
mandates for familyrelated work from intergovernmental bodies, such as the
World Health Assembly. Specific activities undertaken included substantive
studies, technical and statistical publications, seminars and expert group
meetings, research and the promotion of research, data collection,
formulation of policy and programme recommendations, provision of technical
assistance and advisory services to Governments and organizations,
implementation of family-oriented projects, collaboration with and
provision of technical and financial support for the non-governmental
sector, promotion of family-dimensions in various contexts and
participation in the work of the ad hoc inter-agency meetings on the Year.
Issues covered included: gender equality and advancement of women; social
integration and issues relating to young persons, persons with disability
and the elderly; children's rights; role of families in education and
cultural development; crime prevention and criminal justice; drug abuse;
human rights within the family and the role of the family in promotion of
the individual's rights; living conditions of families; the role of
families in environmental protection; poverty alleviation; family
reunification, refugee families and Palestinian refugee families;
population and development; socio-economic development activities;
employment promotion and protection of workers with family
responsibilities; agricultural and rural development; food security; and
family and health.
107. The organizations and agencies also served as a valuable channel for
the promotion and dissemination of information. Their communication
channels and substantive contacts were effectively utilized to raise
awareness. Several of them also conducted targeted promotional and
information campaigns.
108. Several organizations and agencies functioned as effective catalysts
for generating activities at the national and local levels, particularly
through their regional and field offices, by disseminating material,
providing technical support, organizing activities and participating in the
work of national coordination mechanisms for the Year. In particular, the
United Nations information centres and the country and regional offices of
UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO were effectively involved at the
national and local levels.
109. The ad hoc inter-agency meetings on the Year were instrumental in
refining and sustaining a jointly elaborated substantive direction for the
Year and on numerous important projects. They imparted and demonstrated
the endorsement of the Year's objectives by numerous entities of the system
and helped to achieve coherence of approaches regarding the complex issues,
thus helping to dispel initial concerns regarding the Year. They provided
an effective platform for the entities of the United Nations system to
coordinate their efforts; ensured a continuous and vitally important flow
of information and exchange; and were instrumental in achieving a
significantly increased level of participation of the various entities.
Projects undertaken included a joint statement on the Year, a long-term
inter-agency project on support for capacity-building and empowering
families, numerous substantive papers, a manual on provisions relating to
the family contained in United Nations conventions and other instruments,
and a series of promotional activities. A significant feature of the
meetings was the consistent effort to reinforce the substantive linkages
between the Year and relevant major events and conferences. The meetings
also served as a forum for partnership building with the non-governmental
community.
XI. ACTION BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
110. Several intergovernmental organizations, including those in which
families do not figure prominently as a focus of activities, participated
in the observance of the Year. In particular, they disseminated
information, organized or sponsored meetings and seminars, conducted or
promoted research, provided assistance and guidance in policy development
and strengthened the focus on the family in ongoing activities. Several of
them identified a focal point for the Year. Statements and decisions of
governing bodies were adopted, expressing support for the Year and calling
for specific action. Through their work in related areas,
intergovernmental organizations played an important supportive role for
national action. They provided financial and other support for national
projects and involved their networks of organizations, affiliates and
national contacts in activities for the Year.
111. Intergovernmental organizations that participated in the observance
of the Year included: African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank,
Association of South East Asian Nations, Caribbean Community, Colombo Plan
for Cooperative and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific,
Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Europe, Economic Community of West
African States, Commission of the European Union, European Economic
Community, League of Arab States, Fund for International Development of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization of African
Unity, Organization of American States, Southern African Development
Coordination Conference and South Pacific Commission. A few examples of
their activities are described below.
112. The African Development Bank centred its activities for the Year on
the theme "Food resources: production, distribution, availability and
preparation and family income". The Organization of African Unity adopted
a resolution in support of the Year and collaborated with ECA in holding an
expert group meeting on the impact of social and economic changes on the
African family. The Asian Development Bank contributed to the Year through
its programmes of support for economic and social development, as they
related to household income, welfare of children and the social and
economic status of women. The Committee on Social Development of the
Association of South East Asian Nations decided that its Plan of Action on
Social Development should include strengthening the role of the family as
one of its major strategic thrusts and that existing programmes should be
strengthened and new cooperative programmes developed on families. The
Association is also undertaking a feasibility study on the establishment of
a regional centre/network for family and child development. The
Commonwealth Secretariat utilized its network to disseminate information.
The Fund for International Development of the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries supported numerous projects, including special measures
to promote family welfare, through loans and grants. Major features of the
activities of the Caribbean Community included the consideration of the
Year by the fifth meeting of ministers responsible for women's affairs;
adoption of a regional focus, centred on family issues related to working
wives and mothers, street children and the impact of migration; research;
and support to Caribbean families through field projects. The Organization
of American States worked through its focal point, the Inter-American
Children's Institute, which developed an inventory of policy makers,
institutions and other concerned bodies; promoted research and exchange;
and developed a bibliographic service. The Commission of the European
Union conducted an opinion survey; supported numerous meetings; and
developed supporting mechanisms for exchange on family related issues, such
as through the European Observatory on Family Policies and a network on
work and family responsibilities. The Council of Europe undertook several
special initiatives, such as a survey of national family policy, a
comparison of levels of responsibility for family issues, discussions on
the Year by the Conference of Ministers responsible for Family Affairs at
various sessions, adoption by the Committee of Ministers of a
recommendation on coherent and integrated family policies, as well as
numerous activities on childhood policies, adult education, health,
bioethics and family law. The Nordic Council, in cooperation with the
Nordic Council of Ministers, held the Nordic Forum 1994 on "Women's work
and life". The League of Arab States convened an expert group meeting on
rights and law with respect to families and an Arab Conference on the
Family, which adopted an Arab Statement on Family Rights.
XII. ACTION BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
113. Non-governmental organizations were a major partner for the Year.
They served as a vital mobilizing and advocacy force, an effective actor
and an essential link to the grass roots. They generated and implemented
thousands of activities throughout the world. Their ingenuity, innovation,
resourcefulness and grass-roots networks played a central role in the
successful observance of the Year. They have also already initiated and
are engaged in extensive measures for an effective follow-up to the Year.
Several hundred international, regional and national NGOs were involved,
including those with a broad social development or a family-specific focus
as well as hundreds of others covering sectoral or group-specific issues.
114. The single most important contribution of NGOs was bringing the
message of the Year to the grass roots, community organizations and
families themselves and motivating and assisting their participation.
Other contributions included promoting awareness and achievement of the
Year's substantive goals; mobilizing political support and resources at all
levels; mobilizing Governments to establish national coordination
mechanisms and participating in them; identifying priority issues and
strategies; undertaking substantive studies; implementing programmes and
delivering services; contributing to the international exchange of
experience and information; conducting special campaigns; organizing
myriads of local, national and international activities; and promoting
concepts and initiating measures for follow-up. In numerous countries they
played a significant role in the work of national coordination mechanisms.
In a few countries they were entrusted with the responsibility for
coordinating the Year's observances. Furthermore, in some countries they
set up non-governmental coordinating committees.
115. Non-governmental organizations adopted a multitude of strategies,
approaches and measures. They made the most effective use of their wide
network of contacts and communication channels. For example, from the
early stage of preparation onwards, numerous organizations incorporated the
Year's official emblem in their materials and included articles in their
publications. Several organizations set up special organizational
structures for the Year. Special sessions on the Year were held during the
regular meetings and a series of special events and publications was
undertaken. Some organizations drew up policy and position papers on the
family, while others adopted pertinent resolutions.
116. Numerous NGOs incorporated multifarious measures in their programme
activities. Some developed specific programmes, focusing on substantive
areas of direct concern to them. Whereas several organizations sought to
address a broad variety of issues in the context of the Year, some
concentrated on sectoral or group-specific issues. Field projects were
undertaken to assist families, such as supporting thousands of destitute
families in their various needs, building houses, providing clean water and
assistance in the educational needs of children. Efforts were made to
promote research and data collection. Attention was also given to
introducing a family focus into training programmes and to incorporating
family components in training activities.
117. An important feature of the non-governmental community's effective
participation and contributions was the significant role of a few non-
governmental platforms. Most prominent among them was the Non-Governmental
Organizations Committee on the Family in Vienna, which contributed a
distinguished record of hard work and major achievements. Also prominent
were the Non-governmental Organizations Committee on the Family in New York
and the Non-governmental Organizations Group on the Family of the Non-
governmental Organizations (UNESCO) Standing Committee in Paris.
118. Major elements of work of the Non-governmental Organizations
Committee on the Family in Vienna included: a series of international
seminars on family issues, from 1987 to 1995; a world-wide information
sharing network consisting of some 1,500 grass-roots family-related
organizations from 120 countries; extensive promotional efforts to
stimulate awareness and action and to link up the international and grass-
roots levels; promotional and information material, consisting of a
"Checklist of activities for an effective IYF", "National coordinating
bodies for IYF", "Putting IYF into your events", "Checklist for activities
in the interest of families now and in the future", four editions of
"Highlights of IYF action" and 19 issues of a newsletter, entitled
"Families international"; a substantive document entitled "Guiding
principles on the family", to serve as a framework for a declaration on
family rights and responsibilities; participation in and contributions to
the relevant sessions of the Commission for Social Development and the
General Assembly; and holding the World Non-governmental Organizations
Forum Launching the Year. Details on the Forum are provided in section VII
above. In order to facilitate its work, in April 1992, the Committee set
up an IYF-NGO Executive Secretariat, which was supported by the Governments
of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland as well as other NGOs
and individuals. In cooperation with the secretariat for the Year, the
Committee also published a cookbook, entitled "Family favourites", and
through its sale generated money for the Voluntary Fund for the Year.
119. The activities of the Non-governmental Organizations Committee on the
Family in New York included contributions to intergovernmental meetings;
numerous meetings on such issues as the advancement of women, drug abuse,
the situation of refugees, mental health, disability, shelter, cultural
change and development programmes; special programmes on topics such as
"the family as the first community", "families and strategies of
development", "fathers in contemporary life", "spiritual and ethical
resources of the family", "family dynamics in the fast-changing world",
"the well-being of families" and "beyond the IYF"; and inputs for major
international conferences.
120. The Non-governmental Organizations Group on the Family of the Non-
governmental Organizations (UNESCO) Standing Committee in Paris undertook
various activities, with a major focus on educational and cultural aspects.
Issues of particular concern were the family and the rights of the child,
parents and education, the family and education, the family and cultural
rights, the family in difficult circumstances and the family and tolerance.
Highlights of its activities included an international symposium on
educational functions of the family and cultural change, and a substantive
publication entitled "The family, new dynamics".
121. Other NGO forums that were involved in the Year included the Non-
governmental Organizations Development Committee in Geneva and its Family
Life Education Subcommittee, the Non-governmental Organizations Committee
on UNICEF, the United Nations/Non-governmental Organizations Group on Women
and Development, the Conference of Non-governmental Organizations in
Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council and the Executive
Committee of Non-governmental Organizations associated with the Department
of Public Information of the United Nations Secretariat.
122. Numerous international and regional NGOs participated in the Year.
Their activities were extensive, as described in the earlier reports of the
SecretaryGeneral (A/47/362, A/48/293 and E/CN.5/1993/3). Many other
activities were listed in the calendar of events related to the Year.
123. International and regional NGOs that informed the secretariat for
the Year of their participation included: Asociacion Latinoamericana para
los Derechos Humanos, Association for Psychotherapy and Family Therapy,
Association Mondiale des Amis de l'Enfance, Association Internationale des
Femmes Francophones, Association of African Universities, Association of
Former International Civil Servants, African Association of Education for
Development, African Association for Literacy and Adult Education, All
India Women's Conference, Associated Country Women of the World, Baha'i
International Community, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University,
Brothers of Christian Schools, Caritas Internationalis (International
Confederation of Catholic Charities), Catholic International Education
Office, Christian Children's Fund, Inc., Confederation of Family
Organisations in the European Community, Crossways International, Defense
for Children International Movement, Disabled Peoples' International,
Eurolink Age, European Family Therapy Association, European Federation for
the Family, European Federation for the Welfare of the Elderly, European
Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, European
Network Parenthood and Drug Abuse, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and
Drug Abuse, European Parents Association, European Society for Mental
Health and Deafness, European Union of Women, Federation des Unions de
Familles, Federation Internationale Terre des Hommes, Friends World
Committee for Consultation (Quakers), Foundation for the Rights of the
Family - International Secretariat (PRODEFA), General Arab Women's
Federation, General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, Global
Family, Helpage International, IPS - Inter Press Service International
Cooperative, International Abolitionist Federation, International Academy
of Family Psychology, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers,
International Alliance of Women - Equal Rights, Equal Responsibilities,
International Anglican Family Network, International Association for
Volunteer Effort, International Association of Charities, International
Association of Juvenile and Family Court Magistrates, International
Association of Lions Clubs - Lions Club International, International
Association of Schools of Social Work, International Association of Women
in Radio and Television, International Catholic Child Bureau, International
Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants, International
Centre for Study and Development, International Community Education
Association, International Confederation of Christian Family Movements,
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, International
Confederation of Midwives, International Cooperative Alliance,
International Council of Catholic Men, International Council of Jewish
Women, International Council of Nurses, International Council of
Psychologists, International Council of Women, International Council on
Alcohol and Addictions, International Council on Disability, International
Council on Social Welfare, International Council on the Management of
Population Programmes, International Family Federation, International
Family Foundation, International Family Policy Forum, International Family
Therapy Association, International Federation for Child Welfare,
International Federation for Family Life Promotion, International
Federation for Home Economics, International Federation for Parent
Education, International Federation of Business and Professional Women,
International Federation of Disabled Workers and Civilian Handicapped,
International Federation of Educative Communities, International Federation
of Pedestrians, International Federation of Rural Adult Catholic Movements,
International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres,
International Federation of Social Workers, International Federation of
University Women, International Federation of Women in Legal Careers,
International Federation on Ageing, International Friendship League,
International Group of Catholic Parents Associations, International
Humanist and Ethical Union, the International Initiative, International
Inner Wheel, International Kolping Society, International League of
Societies for Persons with Mental Handicaps, International Leprosy Union,
International Movement ATD Fourth World, International Organization of
Consumers Unions, International Planned Parenthood Federation,
International Progress Organization, International Round Table for the
Advancement of Counselling, International Social Science Council,
International Social Security Association, International Social Service,
International Society of Family Law, International Sociological
Association, International Study Center for Children and Families,
International Union of Family Organisations, International Women's Rights
Action Watch, La Leche League International Inc., Law Association for Asia
and the Western Pacific, League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible, Medical Women's International
Association, Mother and Child International (International Association for
Maternal and Neonatal Health), Movement for a Better World, Muslim World
League, National Council of German Women's Organizations - Federal Union of
Women's Organizations and Women's Groups of German Associations, E.V., New
Humanity Focolare Movement, Non-aligned Students and Youth Organizations,
Pan-Pacific and South-east Asia Women's Association, Pax Christi -
International Catholic Peace Movement, Pax Romana, Rehabilitation
International, Rotary International, Salvation Army, Save the Children
Fund, Service and Research Foundation of Asia on Family and Culture,
Socialist International, Socialist International Women, Society for
International Development, Soroptimist International, SOS - Kinderdorf
International, Steering Group of Catholic Family Organizations in Europe,
The Experiment in International Living, Union of Arab Jurists, United
Schools International, Universal Esperanto Association, Vesper Society,
Women for Racial and Economic Equality, Women's International Democratic
Federation, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Women's
World Summit, World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations, World
Assembly of Youth, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World
Christian Life Community, World Council of Churches, World Federation for
Mental Health, World Federation of Methodist Women, World Federation of
Therapeutic Communities, World Federation of Trade Unions, World Federation
of Ukrainian Women's Organizations, World Federation of UNESCO Centres,
Clubs and Associations, World Federation of United Nations Associations,
World Goodwill, World Leisure and Recreation Association, World Movement of
Mothers, World Organization for Early Childhood Education, World
Organization for the Family, World Organization of Family Doctors, World
Organization of the Scout Movement, World Peace Council, World Peace Day
Association, World Union for Progressive Judaism, World Union of Catholic
Women's Organizations, World Veterans Federation, World Vision
International, World Young Women's Christian Association, Youth with a
Mission and Zonta International.
124. The Inter-Parliamentary Union contributed a valuable measure of
support, including discussion of the Year at the meeting of women
parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference and the adoption of
a resolution by the Inter-Parliamentary Council.
125. In addition, hundreds of national, local and community organizations
and grass-roots groups, including the national associations or committees
for the United Nations, UNICEF and UNESCO, were engaged in the Year, as
illustrated by nearly 200 organizations from over 60 countries which
informed the secretariat for the Year of their actions, as well as the 486
projects of 285 organizations in 95 countries, listed in the fourth edition
alone of the "Highlights of IYF Action", published by the Non-Governmental
Organizations Committee on the Family in Vienna.
XIII. ACTION BY RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
126. Numerous research and academic institutions were actively involved in
the Year. Universities often played a pivotal role in animating,
supporting or leading local-level action. Specific measures included
projects devoted to family issues, special meetings of experts, educators
or researchers, educational or research programmes or publications.
Research and academic institutions played a major role in the activities of
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as well as in the work
of national coordination mechanisms.
127. The priority assigned to research in national plans of action for the
Year resulted in a significant increase in national and subnational level
research on families, by both governmental and other institutions. There
has also been greater public interest in family research as well as
improved dialogue and cooperation between the research and academic
community and policy makers. Institutional capability to undertake research
or promote teaching and skills development in family issues was also
greatly increased. Special interdisciplinary initiatives were launched and
studies or publications undertaken. Through increased cooperation among
the users and producers of social science research on families, numerous
initiatives in support of such research were undertaken.
128. Priority issues pursued in research varied broadly, consistent with
the priorities identified by national plans of action. Research activities
included: comparative analyses, database development; curriculum
development; demographic studies; opinion polls and surveys; evaluative
research; census data development, refinement or expanded use;
bibliographies; and case-studies.
129. Research and academic institutions also undertook numerous
publications, including through their regular publications programmes, such
as scholarly journals, or special issues and publications devoted to family
issues. Regular new publications programmes were also established, as were
other initiatives, such as bibliographic services, network supports or the
introduction of new services or facilities through official statistical
agencies. Information on 439 research activities from 60 countries is
provided in the International Directory of IYF Research Activities.
XIV. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
130. Numerous in-kind contributions were made to the secretariat for the
Year by Governments, organizations, firms in the private sector and
individuals. Table 1 lists the in-kind contributions made by Governments.
Table 2 lists the in-kind contributions made by organizations, the private
sector and individuals.
Table 1. In-kind contributions to the secretariat for the
International Year of the Family by Governments
Country Type of contribution
AustraliaFinancing participation of a representative of a country from the
Pacific region at the United Nations Interregional Meeting of National
Coordinators/Focal Points for the Year
Austria a/Associate expert for two years
Contribution towards financing participation of representatives of least
developed countries at the United Nations Interregional Meeting of National
Coordinators/Focal Points for the Year
CanadaNon-reimbursable loan of staff for three years and five months
ChinaHosting the United Nations Asia and Pacific Preparatory Meeting for
the Year
ColombiaHosting the United Nations Latin America and Caribbean Preparatory
Meeting for the Year
FinlandNon-reimbursable loan of staff for six months
Printing of booklet on the Year in English, 60,000 copies
FrancePrinting of booklet on the Year in French, 11,000 copies
ItalyProviding associate expert for two years
MaltaHosting the United Nations Europe and North America Preparatory
Meeting for the Year
Hosting the World Non-governmental Organizations Forum Launching the Year
Slovakia Hosting the United Nations Interregional Meeting of National
Coordinators/Focal Points for the Year
SpainPrinting of booklet on the Year in Spanish, 25,000 copies
SwedenFinancing participation of a representative each from an Eastern
European, a southern European and an African country at the United Nations
Interregional Meeting of National Coordinators/Focal Points for the Year
TunisiaHosting the United Nations Africa and Western Asia Preparatory
Meeting for the Year
a/ The Government of Austria also supported the work of the Non-
Governmental Organizations Committee on the Family in Vienna through
financial assistance amounting to S 1,650,000 (approx. US$ 145,000) from
1992 to 1995.
Table 2. In-kind contributions to the secretariat for the
International Year of the Family by organizations,
the private sector and individuals
Organization, firm
or individual Type of contribution
Austrian Worker'sPrinting of booklet on the Year in English,
Compensation Board 7,500 copies
Floraprint Austria50,000 miniature poster bags
Hans Helf KGIYF stickers, 150,000 copies
Jablonski, EvaDesigned the IYF cookbook, Family favourites, and two IYF
stickers
Lion's Club InternationalStickers for the International Day of Families,
108,000 copies
Littasy-Rollier, CatherineDesigned and donated logotype of the Year and IYF
season's greetings cards
Olivetti Austria GmbHData-processing equipment (six workstations plus
server, one laser printer, one docking station and one monitor)
Phillips Dictation SystemsVoice manager dictation system
Piatnik-Playing Cards8,000 IYF season's greetings cards
Reinach, JacquelineWrote, composed and donated the theme song for the Year
University of Akron, OhioStickers for the International Day of Families,
100,000 copies
Wang AustriaLoan of word-processing workstation for three years
Wiener Stadtische450 lapel pins depicting the logotype of the Year
Wiener Graphische Kunstanstalt,Paper for and printing of a large quantity
of
Otto Sares GmbH stationery for the Year
Wiener PapierA large quantity of Pacific paper for
Grosshandlung GmbHproducing a special folder for the Year
XV. VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY
131. The Voluntary Fund for the International Year of the Family was
established in early 1991, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 45/133.
In that resolution, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General "to
establish a voluntary fund for the preparation for and observance of the
Year" and invited "all States and interested organizations to contribute to
that fund".
132. As at 3 July 1995, a total cash contribution of $2,071,524 had been
received by the Fund, of which $740,485 had come from Governments,
$1,198,519 from the private sector, organizations and individuals and
$132,520 from other sources. A group of business and professional leaders
from Hong Kong contributed over $1 million to the Fund. Table 3 lists the
contributions made by Governments.
Table 3. Contributions by Governments to the Voluntary Fund for
the
International Year of the Family, as at 3 July 1995
(United States dollars)
Country Contribution
Austria39 778
Belgium20 000
Chile2 000
China20 000
Cote d'Ivoire3 461
Cyprus2 000
France104 788
Germany298 347
Greece10 505
Holy See2 073
Italy17 793
Jordan2 000
Luxembourg17 150
Mauritius500
Monaco3 000
Namibia1 000
New Zealand51 757
Panama15 000
Philippines1 500
Poland4 500
Portugal8 123
Republic of Korea2 000
Saint Lucia1 000
Sao Tome and Principe918
Spain40 532
Switzerland22 917
Thailand3 000
Tunisia2 000
Turkey 42 843
Total740 485
133. As at 3 July 1995, estimated expenditures and resource allocations
from the Fund totalled $1.6 million. Major elements of the
expenditures/resource allocations comprised grants to projects; the four
regional preparatory meetings, including participation costs for least
developed countries; two expert group meetings, undertaken by regional
commissions, and one interregional consultation; support to projects of
bodies and organizations of the United Nations system; substantive studies
and publications on family issues and the Year; public information and
promotion; and technical, advisory and substantive services.
134. Provision of seed-money grants to small-scale family-specific
projects has been a major priority of the Fund and the largest item of
expenditure. So far, grants have been provided for 52 projects. Seventeen
of these projects were earmarked for grants by donor Governments. Ten of
the supported projects have been undertaken by Governments, 38 by NGOs, 3
by academic/research institutions and 1 by a field office of the United
Nations Volunteers. Thirty-four of these projects are at the national
level, 5 at the regional level and 13 at the international level. Out of
the 39 national and regional projects, 17 are in Africa, 12 in Asia, 6 in
Central, Eastern and/or southern Europe and 4 in Latin America and the
Caribbean. The grants provided by the Fund, though small in terms of
amount and mostly serving as seed money, have proved to be invaluable as a
catalyst and have enabled the initiation of concrete activities of direct
and long-term benefit to families in all parts of the world, mostly at the
local level. Detailed information on the projects supported is contained
in a project catalogue of the Fund.
XVI. SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY
135. In interpreting the General Assembly's request, in resolution 47/237,
"to submit specific proposals on the follow-up to the Year, including a
draft plan of action, if deemed appropriate," the Secretary-General
concluded that basic to the follow-up process is the consistent and
effective implementation of decisions and recommendations regarding
families as reflected in the outcomes of the relevant United Nations
conferences, taking into account the national experience of the Year. A
concise analysis of those conferences is provided in sections V and VI
above. This interpretation is also based on Commission for Social
Development resolution 34/3, in which the Commission requested the
Secretary-General "to prepare a concise draft reflecting the outcome of the
relevant United Nations conferences and national experiences of the
International Year of the Family".
136. In the light of the foregoing, pursuant to General Assembly
resolution 47/237 and Commission for Social Development resolution 34/3,
and based on the conclusions drawn from the observance of the Year, the
following specific proposals are made on the follow-up to the International
Year of the Family:
(a) Follow-up to the International Year of the Family should constitute
another major phase in the long-term process of supporting families as
basic social units. It should be guided by the principles established for
the Year and should be based on a functional approach to families;
(b) The basic objective of the follow-up to the Year should be to
translate the increased awareness regarding families and family issues into
concrete measures (a) to support families in performing their societal and
developmental functions and (b) to promote appropriate changes within
families and build upon their strengths;
(c) Pursuant to the successful approach adopted for the Year and bearing
in mind the diversity of families and their socio-economic contexts,
follow-up activities should focus on the local and national levels.
Decisions regarding specific measures and strategies to be taken should
rest with each country, organization or other entity, as appropriate,
taking into account the diversity of economic, social, cultural and
political conditions;
(d) Follow-up measures should be fully congruent with duly approved
international conventions, instruments and standards in the field of human
rights and social policy and should contribute to the realization of their
provisions as they apply to the individual members of the family. In
particular, they should contribute to the implementation of the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child;
(e) Follow-up to the Year should form part of a holistic approach to
development and social progress. Measures should be fully harmonized with
overall development efforts. To the extent possible, activities should be
integrated into existing policies and programmes, making use of the
comprehensive and integrative platform that the subject of families offers;
(f) A cornerstone of the follow-up to the Year and long-term action
regarding families should be the implementation of family dimensions of the
outcomes of major international conferences of the 1990s. Agenda 21,
adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World
Conference on Human Rights, the Programme of Action of the International
Conference on Population and Development, and the Copenhagen Declaration
and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Summit for Social
Development, contain specific provisions relating to families. They also
identify specific objectives and actions in these areas. The Platform of
Action to be adopted by the forthcoming Fourth World Conference on Women
and the Plan of Action to be adopted by the Second United Nations
Conference on Human Settlements should contain further family-related
provisions and objectives. All these encompass a broad spectrum of areas
and call for concerted efforts at all levels. Corresponding measures
should constitute a basic element of the follow-up to the Year.
Consequently, family issues and family dimensions should also continue to
receive adequate attention in the coordinated efforts to implement the
outcome of the international conferences and other relevant undertakings,
at all levels;
(g) Continued measures to sustain and increase awareness of the role of
families and family issues will remain important, in order to develop
further and maintain a strong constituency for families. The annual
observance of the International Day of Families, on 15 May, provides a
valuable occasion around which appropriate measures could be undertaken.
Special attention should be given to the role and impact of the media;
(h) A participatory approach in policy and programme development and
implementation is essential. Enlisting the participation of all segments
of society in the elaboration and implementation of activities in support
of families should be a priority task. Broad consultative processes are
essential to build up commitment and consensus;
(i) The active involvement of family associations, other grass-roots and
local networks, NGOs and the private sector should be ensured.
Participation of family associations and grass-roots networks are
especially important to ensure relevance and effectiveness of policies and
programmes. Non-governmental organizations provide, in particular, an
effective means of focusing on local and national initiatives and
addressing most pressing concerns. The culture of partnership with them
should be reinforced and their work facilitated. The reciprocal linkages
between families and the private sector should be recognized and
cooperation with the private sector on family matters intensified;
(j) All policy and programme decisions and actions at the national level
have an impact on families. Subsequently, the refinement and integration
of a family perspective in development efforts and a family-impact
consideration in policies and programmes should be a major goal. This
should lead to taking due account of the impact on families of all
policies, programmes and legislation. Effective tools should be developed
to gauge the impact of social change and policy measures on families and,
subsequently, on the well-being of individuals;
(k) Sound knowledge and information on families is essential to ensure
that policies, programmes and services are well-founded. This information
should be regularly updated, in order to reflect the constantly changing
realities of families and societies, and research, data collection and
information exchange should receive due attention. Research and academic
institutions have a central role to play in, and should provide input to,
the policy development processes at all levels;
(l) Other important prerequisites for effective national action include
political commitment at the highest levels, adequate resource allocation,
formal infrastructures and institutional arrangements, personnel
development and training. Effective measures should be taken to meet these
prerequisites. Developing institutional capacities and personnel training
should be given due priority;
(m) As in the case of the Year, elaboration of a long-term national plan
of action on families can be a valuable measure to guide and monitor
action. In elaborating such plans, the national and international
experience gained through the Year and the resources of existing national
and international institutions devoted to family issues should be fully
utilized. In accordance with national circumstances and approaches, the
plans may bring together the various familyrelated aspects of existing
policies and impart coherence, or may promote specific policies and
approaches. They may identify national and local-level measures to support
families and to strengthen national capacities to deal with family issues.
They may identify short-, medium- and long-term national goals, priorities
and commitments as well as specific measures for achieving them. They may
also establish institutional responsibilities for implementation;
(n) National experiences of the International Year of the Family have
revealed numerous substantive concerns and goals for long-term action
regarding families. These include:
(i)Reinforcing the interrelationship between family well-being and
sustainable development, which encompass such aspects as integrating family
well-being and development strategies, sustained economic growth, poverty,
environmental protection;
(ii)Facilitating societal conditions that are family-friendly and
supportive of families, which encompass public awareness, knowledge about
families, family empowerment, family impact consideration, review and
enactment of legislation, infrastructure to address family issues;
(iii)Promoting families based on partnership and democracy, which
encompass the human rights of individual members of families, particularly
children, women and vulnerable members, and the enjoyment and violation of
those rights within families, including domestic violence, abuse and
neglect; changes in family organization; equal sharing of rights and
responsibilities;
(iv)Promoting family strengths and providing for family needs, which
encompass supporting the societal and developmental functions of families;
enabling reconciliation of family and work responsibilities; assisting
families and family members in difficult circumstances;
(o) The experience of the Year also suggests that, despite the diversity
of family issues and approaches, effective international action is possible
and appropriate regional and international cooperation and mechanisms for
that purpose can prove valuable in facilitating and supporting actions at
the local and national levels. Constructive activities at the regional and
international levels should be continued. They should be integrated in the
ongoing programme of activities of concerned organizations. The United
Nations Secretariat should play an active promotional and facilitative role
in this regard;
(p) Major areas of focus for regional and international action should be
the exchange of information and experience; mobilization of resources and
expertise as well as provision of technical assistance, with a focus on the
least developed and developing countries; and the promotion of networks and
partnerships in support of families, involving collaboration at the local,
national, regional and international levels;
(q) Consideration might be given to the continuation of a voluntary fund
for families, to serve as a means of resource mobilization and financial
assistance for specific activities that would strengthen the role of
families in development and social progress, and projects of direct benefit
to families, with special focus on the least developed and developing
countries. Particular attention should be given to mobilizing
contributions from the private sector through innovative fund-raising
approaches;
(r) At the international level, consideration may be given to
undertaking periodic reviews of progress made in the follow-up to the
International Year of the Family and in taking long-term action regarding
families.
Notes
1/ E/CN.5/1995/5.
2/ E/CN.5/1991/2.
3/ E/CN.5/1993/3.
4/ E/CN.5/1995/5.
5/ A/CONF.171/13, annex, chap. II.
6/ A/CONF.166/9, chap. I, resolution 1.
7/ See ibid., annex I, sect. C, para. 29.
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