International Day of Families marked

The International Day of Families was commemorated globally today under the theme "Families and Volunteers: Building Social Cohesion."

In his message marking the occasion, Secretary-General Kofi Annan emphasized the values shared by both families and volunteers. "The ideals of reciprocity, service, and solidarity are embodied in the spirit of volunteerism and are at the heart of any healthy family," he said, noting that both groups "promote civic engagement by emphasizing the value of altruism over egoism, strengthening social cohesion, and creating social capital."

The Secretary-General pointed out that both families and volunteers seek to overcome social challenges through cooperation and mutual aid. "Volunteers tackle the exigencies of war and famine, crime and disease," he observed. "By the same token, families cope with private disasters, such as illness and unemployment."

Noting that the contributions of families and volunteers "are imbued with a sense of trust, responsibility, and duty to others," Mr. Annan said that by upholding such values, both were the core components of a successful community.

"On this day, let us pause to reflect upon the critical role that families and volunteers play in society, and let us commit ourselves to providing them with the resources they need to continue playing these roles," he concluded.

The date of 15 May was designated as the International Day of Families by the General Assembly in 1993 to increase awareness of family issues and improve the capability of nations to tackle family-related problems with comprehensive policies.