The International Day of Families is celebrated on 15 May each year to raise awareness of the fundamental role of families in educating children from early childhood, and the lifelong learning opportunities that exist for children and young people.

Although the concept of family has changed in recent decades, evolving in line with global trends and demographic changes, the United Nations considers the family to be the basic unit of society . In this context, the International Day of Families gives us the opportunity to recognize, identify and analyze social, economic and demographic issues that affect their development and evolution. For this reason, to celebrate this day, activities such as workshops, conferences, radio and television programs, among others, are organized with the aim of promoting and encouraging the maintenance and improvement of the family unit.

30 years of the International Year of the Family

For the year 2024, the United Nations has proposed the motto: Families and Climate Change , with the aim of raising awareness about how climate change affects families and the role that families can play in climate action. Through family and community initiatives, we can foster climate action with education, access to information, training and community participation. Families transmit values ​​from generation to generation, so it is important to instill sustainable habits and climate awareness in families from an early age.

2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. The commemorative event will feature the presentation of the results of the main regional preparatory activities, civil society initiatives, recommendations on family policies for climate action and an interactive debate. In addition, two publications entitled "Climate Change and Families" and "Home, Family and Climate Change" will be launched.

Families and climate change

Climate change negatively impacts the health and well-being of families through increased pollution, while extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, such as hurricanes, droughts and floods, often lead to forced displacement and loss of livelihoods for families and individuals. These events affect agricultural productivity and access to water, which intensifies hunger and vulnerability. They also cause economic damage to climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.

If we do not act drastically, adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change will become increasingly difficult and costly.

In order to take meaningful and effective action against climate change, it is essential to empower families through education, changing consumer habits and raising awareness . Families, as transmitters of values ​​from one generation to the next, must adopt sustainable habits and awareness of climate change from an early age. Integrating the principles of the circular economy into children's education can help build a sustainable economic model based on reducing waste and regenerating natural resources. Families, as consumers and activists, can lead the transition towards a circular economy.

The celebration of the International Day of Families in 2024 focuses on raising awareness about the impact of climate change on families and the role they can play in climate action . Through family and community initiatives, we can foster climate action with education, access to information, training and community involvement.