Message of WFO President on the occasion of the International Day of Families May 15, 2008.

Dear Members, Friends and Visitors,

Today we are celebrating the 14th Anniversary of the proclamation of the UN International Day of Families.

The proclamation of the UN International Day of Families was a historical moment for all Families of the World and since then we are witnessing the progressive positive changes happening not only on the awareness within families of their rights, duties and responsibilities but also in the implementation by governments at national, regional and local levels of programmes and projects focusing the needs of families in general.

Empowering families to exercise their own capabilities and full participation, especially at local level, in policies formulation, implementation and evaluation of decisions, which determines the functioning and well-being of our societies is fundamental for the process of Sustainable Development.

There is no doubt that economic and social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of Sustainable Development which must be the framework for our efforts to achieve a higher quality of life to all families.

In many countries, having families mobilizing for action by building trust, bridges, capabilities and partnerships is already a reality and governments, institutions, enterprises and civil society have recognized it as a powerful tool in addressing economic, social and environmental problems.

Families are much more aware of their rights and duties specially when dealing with the most important problems affecting the process of development. Innovative ways in dealing with poverty, decent work, decent housing, education, prevention of maternal, newborn and child mortality, domestic violence, gender equality and environmental protection are being implemented everyday and the direct involvement of families in presenting their demands and solutions in the community are leading to a faster improvement of family life and well-being.

We have many reasons to commemorate, without forgetting that our role and our efforts have to be continuous in our actions towards a comprehensive inclusion of family issues in the process of development.

To all Families of the World, the ones that provide care and the ones that receive care, the World Family Organization whishes a Happy International Day of Families.

Dr. Deisi Noeli Weber Kusztra, President
World Family Organization

May 15th, 2008