Annan marks International Day of Families with call for more resources

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on world leaders today to provide the resources necessary for putting families closer to the centre of public policy in the effort to solve social welfare issues ranging from ageing and migration to fighting AIDS.

“As we look ahead to the launch of the tenth anniversary (of the International Year of the Family) in December 2003 at United Nations Headquarters, let us all reaffirm our commitment to improving the well-being of families throughout the world,” Mr. Annan said in a message marking the International Day of Families.

Stressing the need to sustain momentum in an area of vital importance for human progress, he declared: “Putting families closer to the centre of the public policy process will require greater political commitment.

“The issues involved are at the heart of the social welfare agenda: changes in family structures, demographic ageing, the rise of migration, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and globalization. I hope leaders will comprehend these links and give these questions the attention and resources they merit,” he added.