The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution 66/292 on 17th September 2012, to observe 1st of June as the “global Day of Parents”. The day was announced to honour and acknowledge the love, commitment and selfless efforts of parents across the globe, towards their children.
The Day recognizes the primary role of parents in a family, in nurturing of children. Parents in a family are primary care givers of the children and are responsible for their overall emotional and physical development.
Global Day of Parents 2019
Global Day of Parents 2019 was celebrated on Saturday, 1st June 2019.
The day was observed across the globe with an aim to thank parents. Schools and colleges organised programmes where the parents of the students were invited and given a note of thanks on the occasion.
There were also media campaigns which promoted the importance of good parenting. The local community leaders across the globe also delivered motivational lectures on parenting and the principles on good parenthood.
The United Nations organised a small talk which focused on families and parenthood which acts as center point for ensuring the well being of their family members, socializing children & youth and caring them.
History of Global Day of Parents (Idea behind the Global Day of Parents)
The role of a family in society and nation building began to be recognized by the United Nations and the international community in the 80s. Prior to the declaration of Global Day of Parents, the UN General Assembly had passed a resolution, 47/237 in 1993, proclaiming May 15th every year as “International Day of Families”. Four years back, on 9th December 1989, the UN General Assembly, had adopted the Resolution 44/82, declaring that 1994, was to be observed as the “International Year of the Family”.
The main idea behind “Global Day of Parents” is to highlight the role parents play in rearing of the children and to recognize that the parents have the primary responsibility for nurturing and taking care of the children. It also stresses on the fact that children, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and financial background, should be raised in an environment of love and happiness, which up to a large extent, depends on their parents.
Significance of Global Day of Parents
Global Day of Parents is an important event, considering the role of parents in building the future of their children and the society as a whole.
1) Commemorates Parents
Global Day of Parents acknowledges the efforts of parents, in rearing their children. Parents play the role of primary building blocks in the holistic mental, physical and social development of their children. It is a day to thank the parents for their unwavering dedication towards the development of their children.
2) Let us Retrospect on their Sacrifices
Celebrating a world day dedicated to the parents, give us a day to look back on the sacrifices our parents have made for us. You parents might have gone through financial bankruptcy, without you even getting a strain of it. Parents usually sacrifice on their own wishes to fulfill yours, the least you could do to acknowledge their sacrifices is to thank them.
3) Encourages Better Parenting
Global Day of Parents advocates the philosophy of good parenting to the parents around the world. They are inspired to give their children a loving and emotional environment conducive to growth. All over the world parents from different walks of the society, belonging to different cultures, interact with each other, face to face or through social media, to discuss the effective ways of parenting.
4) Protection of Human Rights
Celebrating Global Day of Parents, also promotes the Article 16 and Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 16 states that the family is natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by law. This indirectly implies the role of parents in building of a society and also the protection of children. Article 26 gives the parents the prior right to choose the kind of education to be given to the children.
5) Achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2030
Global Day of Parents plays a vital role in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Goals like eradication of poverty, education for all, health and hygiene etc, could only be achieved through persistent efforts made by parents in a family. Like the phrase, “Charity Begins at Home”, the change of the world too begins at home, and is brought by the parents in the house.
6) Recognizing the Guardians
It is important to note that the “Global Day of Parents” doesn’t only recognize the efforts of biological mother-father, but also the efforts of guardians like step parents, adaptive parents etc. The day acknowledges the effort of every guardian around the world who has devoted a good part of his/her life and time for nurturing a child.
How to Observe Global Day of Parents/Activities
Some of the most effective and most practical ways to celebrate the Global Day of Parents are given below-
1) Thank Your Parents
For the children who want to celebrate the Global Day of Parents, it is a wonderful opportunity to thank your parents for everything they have done for you. Thank them for always keeping up your aspirations, irrespective of the adversities they faced. Thank them for living a life that is dedicated to your well being and happiness.
2) Interact with Your Children
If you are a parent who wants to celebrate the Global Day of Parents, then you can do so by interacting with your children on issues relating to their health, wellness and education etc. You can tell them about your plans for their future or you could give suggestions to them on their education and career.
3) Spread your Views
Interact with others and let them also know about Global Day of Parents and its advantages. Express your views on good parenting and also on how the parents from around the world need an appreciation for their dedication towards their children. Tell others, how celebrating the day will go a long way in realizing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
4) Go out With Family
Global Day of Parents celebrates the spirit of parents in protecting and nurturing a family. Therefore, going out on a picnic with your family, is one of the best options to celebrate the day. Take your parents too, if possible. This will indeed revive the bond between you and your parents as well as your children and their grandparents.
5) Donate to an Orphanage
You are lucky to have a family, but there are thousands of children who don’t have that liberty and are living in various orphanages around the world. The least you can do to bring happiness in their life is by donating for their education, health and other necessities. It would a really kind gesture which could bring smile on otherwise sad faces.
Role of a Family in 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a collection of 17 Global Goals in 2015, to be achieved by the year 2030, which were called the “Sustainable Development Goals 2030”. A number of goals stated in the SDG, are directly related to the family and hence parents play a significant role in their accomplishment.
Parents are the primary care givers and protectors of children. Their approach decides on a number of significant issues of their children like – education, socialization, personality and behaviour. Thus, it can be said that the structure of tomorrow’s society, depends on the parents of today; hence, they are in a way play significant role in some of the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG Goals like, no hunger, no poverty, good health, quality education, achieving gender equality etc, up to a large extent depends on the parents in the society.
Themes of Global Day of Parents
The first year theme of Global Day of Parents observance was “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All”.
