Poland in the UN

Every year, 15 May is observed as the International Day of Families. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 with Resolution A/RES/47/237. The day is an opportunity to reflect on the fundamental role of families in society. The family is a key social institution that guarantees care and security, and a source of norms, values, and traditions for younger generations.

 
Since the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted, the annual celebrations of the International Day of Families have brought into focus the importance of families and family-oriented policies in achieving sustainable social, economic, and cultural development. It has been stressed that policies aimed at ensuring welfare for families contribute to eradicating poverty and hunger, improving the quality of education, achieving gender equality, and thus creating a prosperous and happy society.

Recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is mainly families who bear the burden of the crisis, struggling with health, emotional, and financial problems. 

Poland advocates family-friendly policies at the international fora, stressing the role families play in achieving stability, promoting traditional values, and protecting human rights. We also highlight the need to focus on the protection of the rights of individual family members, particularly those most vulnerable – children and older people.

To step up actions supporting families, Poland joined forces with other like-minded states within the United Nations. In December 2019, Brazil, Poland, the United States and Hungary announced the “Partnership for Families” initiative. Its aim is to promote families and family-oriented policies on the international stage. The initiative is a framework platform for dialogue, exchange of experiences and good practices.

On the occasion of the International Day of Families, “Partnership for Families” issued a statement expressing solidarity with families in the difficult time of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into an even sharper focus the need to invest in families, in their health and prosperity. The statement calls for joint efforts to prevent all forms of domestic violence and discrimination against women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons. 

Below you will find enclosed the full text of the “Partnership for Families” statement.