Message for the 2017 International Day of Families

/in /by

Families in Balance: Building Sustainable Cities and Strong Communities with No Family Left Behind.

 

Dear Members, Distinguished Partners and Friends!

The Celebrations of the International Day of Families is very special this year, because the World Family Organization is celebrating its 70th Anniversary!

Over the past 70 years the World Family Organization has built an extensive and solid platform to improve the existence of many families all over the world and in partnership with the United Nations, Governments at National and Local levels, Universities, NGO’s and Communities mobilized efforts to responsible address the challenges and opportunities to include the family in the process of development.

On January 1st 2016, the world officially began to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a transformative Plan of Action for people, planet, prosperity, peace  and partnership to address urgent global challenges over the next 15 years.

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Goals, apply to all societies and the family as the most basic unit of society is a powerful agent to exercise and disseminate the goals and targets as they are directly or indirectly related to the family. We want to be part of this integrated policy-action approach to ensure inclusive economic development, inclusive social development, environmental sustainability, peace and security that responds to the aspirations of all families for a world free of want and fear.

We want to be part of the solemn promise to leave no one behind!

By choosing the Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities –  as our theme for this year,” is a very appropriate approach to start the discussions on how    the future unfolds for families all over the world, having on mind the implementation of local actions that will provide for a well planned and well managed cities and human settlements, inclusive, resilient, offering more efficient economies, quality provision of goods and public services and combative to all forms and dimensions of poverty.

It’s our aspiration and solemn commitment to include families in the process of development and implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years ensuring that no Family Is left behind.

Happy 2017 International Day of Families! The year of the World Family Organization 70th Anniversary!

 

Dr. Deisi Noeli Weber Kusztra
World Family Organization
President

World Family Organization: 70 Years and still going strong!

/in /by

 World Family Organization: 70 Years and still going strong!

And Celebrating the International Day of Families, Monday 15th May.

 

The Family Africa will be celebrating the International Day of Families which is held every year on Monday May 15th. 2017 is a very special year as the World Family Organization (www.worldfamilyorganization.org), of which The Family Africa is an affiliate, also celebrates its 70th Anniversary as it was formed by member nations of the United Nations in 1947.  The Chairperson of the Family Africa, Mrs Rachel Aird is also on the Executive Board of the WFO, which is an organization which for the last 70 years has continued its work to promote the importance of the family unit, working with refugees, campaigning for family friendly government and local policies and promoting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This year’s observance of the International Day of Families focuses on the role of families and family-oriented policies in promoting education and overall well-being of their members. In particular, the Day is to raise awareness of the role of families in promoting early childhood education and lifelong learning opportunities for children and youth

  • The Family Africa will be recognising the achievements of local families through recognition awards. Categories are: families living with disability, families living with long term sickness, child headed household, grandparent headed households.
  • There will also be an art display by local children of what family means to them with prizes for the best submissions.

Rachel Aird gave us some suggestions for local organizations, companies, schools to celebrate The International Day of Families

  • Hold an Open Day for families to show what your agency or organisation does
  • Make a International Families Day display in your foyer, service area or office highlighting what you do for families and what families mean to your organisation
  • Erect displays in libraries, health centres, shopping centres etc
  • Place a suggestion box in your foyer to encourage visitors to comment on your services
  • Hold a picnic or BBQ for staff, clients or the public to showcase your services
  • Host a family-friendly day in your workplace and encourage staff to bring children to work for the day
  • Have a work experience day for youth from the local school or children of staff
  • Hold seminars on topics relevant to the week for your clients and staff
  • Hold an open forum to discuss the concerns of families and youth in your area
  • Disseminate information on youth and families, parenting and the issues faced by families
  • Look at your work and family policies. How effective are they? Are staff aware of them? Do they need updating?
  • Produce a National Families Week edition of your newsletter or publications
  • Arrange for feature articles to be placed in the media on local families and wellbeing
  • Promote the Week and any events or activities you organise through community radio.
  • Have a photographic display or competition
  • Hold a hip-hop or a multicultural dance display
  • Hold a writing or poetry competition – ask the local paper to publish entries
  • Organise a concert
  • Arrange a community outing to local areas of interest
  • Arrange to do something special for a family in difficult circumstances e.g. a gift hamper, arrange babysitting, take the children to a movie
  • Promote the achievements of local families through recognition awards
  • Promote the diversity of families in your local area
  • Honour families and youth who are an inspiration to you
  • Investigate families’ needs, the issues they face and review services accordingly
  • Link up and organise events with service clubs, community organisations and service providers and agencies in your area – include invitations to more disadvantaged members of your area
  • Provide colouring in sheets for children in public contact areas
  • Provide discount entry to your facility for families
  • Record interviews with people in your community to build an oral history
  • Sponsor or raise funds for a local family or youth related community project

Ideas for families and individuals, perhaps you could:

  • Give kids lots of hugs and smiles
  • Take time just to be with children
  • Spend time as parents building your relationship.
  • Ask for help if you need it
  • Have a family movie marathon
  • Have a family sports carnival
  • Hold a family talent quest night
  • Have a family games night
  • Tell each other what makes your family great!
  • ‘Adopt’ a granny or grandpa at the local nursing home or hostel
  • Encourage your family to make short movies on issues important to them – and then hold a “Movie Premiere Night”
  • Be active and eat healthy foods together
  • Have a special family breakfast before work and/or school
  • Let the children make dinner for the adults – and choose the entertainment!
  • Organise a family walkathon
  • Organise a street party
  • Take some family photos and create a special family album or book about your family

Rachel told us “The types of events are only limited by your imagination! Many of these ideas are interchangeable between organisations and families.”  This year’s observance of the International Day of Families focuses on the role of families and family-oriented policies in promoting education and overall well-being of their members. In particular, the Day is to raise awareness of the role of families in promoting early childhood education and lifelong learning opportunities for children and youth. So it would be great if local crèches and schools would get involved.

The Day will highlight the importance of all caregivers in families, be it parents, grandparents or siblings and the importance of parental education for the welfare of children. It will focus on good practices for work-family balance to assist parents in their educational and caregiving roles. Good practices from the private sector in support of working parents, as well as youth and older persons in the workplace will also be highlighted. So when you think about it”, Rachel said, “Everyone should get involved!”

For more information on what The Family Africa does please see their web site www.familyafrica.com    or if you would like some more activities you can as a family write to Rachel familyafrica@mweb.co.za

Agenda 2030 – Sustainable Cities and Strong Communities

/in /by

As part of the celebrations of WFO’s 70th Anniversary and the International Day of Families, the World Family Organization, UNAPMIF, APMI and Municipality of Ubiratã will hold a conference under the theme: “Agenda 2030: Sustainable Cities and Strong Communities – leaving no one behind”.

The event will be held on May 12th, 2:30Pm at the Ubiratã City Council.

SDGs

Committee of Experts on Public Administration, 16th session

/in , /by

The Committee of Experts on Public Administration will hold its sixteenth session at the United Nations in New York from 24 to 28 April 2017. The main subject of discussion will be “Ensuring effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: leadership, action and means”.

Dr. Deisi Kusztra, WFO President, is participating in todays session as an expert at the “Interactive dialogue with CEPA members, Member States, United Nations system and civil society organizations”

More information is available at https://publicadministration.un.org/en/CEPA/session16

UN HQ

1st of June deadline to apply for Consultative Status with the UN

/in /by

Open Call for NGOs to apply for Consultative Status with the United Nations (Deadline: 1 June 2017)

May is the last month for Non-Governmental Organizations to apply for consultative status with ECOSOC if they wish to be considered by the NGO Committee in 2018. Those interested should submit their application and required documents on or before the deadline of 1 June 2017.

NGOs interested in applying for ECOSOC consultative status should submit their application and required documents on or before the deadline of 1 June 2017. The following link provides background information, the benefits of consultative status and instructions for how to apply:

http://csonet.org/index.php?page=view&nr=337&type=230&menu=14

SDG 14

The Ocean Conference – 5-9 June 2017

/in /by

Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14

Ocean Conference - June 2017The high-level United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development will be convened at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 5 to 9 June 2017, coinciding with World Oceans Day, to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Governments of Fiji and Sweden have the co-hosting responsibilities of the Conference.

The Conference aims to be the game changer that will reverse the decline in the health of our ocean for people, planet and prosperity. It will be solutions-focused with engagement from all.

The Conference shall:

  • Identify ways and means to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14;
  • Build on existing successful partnerships and stimulate innovative and concrete new partnerships to advance the implementation of Goal 14;
  • Involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14;
  • Share the experiences gained at the national, regional and international levels in the implementation of Goal 14;
  • Contribute to the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing an input to the high-level political forum on sustainable development, in accordance with resolutions 67/290 of 9 July 2013, 70/1 of 25 September 2015 and 70/299 of 29 July 2016, on the implementation of Goal 14, including on opportunities to strengthen progress in the future;

The Conference shall comprise plenary meetings, partnership dialogues and a special event commemorating World Oceans Day.

The Conference shall adopt by consensus a concise, focused, intergovernmentally agreed declaration in the form of a “Call for Action” to support the implementation of Goal 14 and a report containing the co-chairs’ summaries of the partnership dialogues, as well as a list of voluntary commitments for the implementation of Goal 14, to be announced at the Conference.

The President of the General Assembly will convene a two-day preparatory meeting, on 15-16 February 2017, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, to be chaired by H.E. Mr. Alvaro Mendonya Moura, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the UN, and H.E. Mr. Burhan Gafoor, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN, the two co-facilitators, with a view to considering the themes for the partnership dialogues and elements for a “Call for Action”.

Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations is the Secretary-General of the Conference. Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel is the special advisor to the Presidents of the Conference on oceans and legal matters.

Click here to visit the Ocean Conference website

Analysis of CSW61 and Agreed Conclusions

/in /by

The analysis of the sixty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) and of the Agreed Conclusions by Ms. Lakshmi Puri, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women.

Please click here to read/download the CSW61 analysis.

Save the Youth Madagascar: An affiliate of The Family Africa

/in , /by

The activities this past month have been very varied, due to so many needs around us as well as many ongoing projects.

fam_africa_madagasca_1

Leilani and some of our friends have started to do paint murals on the walls of the dormitories of the orphanage CBA, to make them inspiring and cheer up the children. These young people are really sweet and have a heart to help the poor children and we really enjoy their partnership.

fam_africa_madagasca_2

Due to the cold weather, the coldest winter since we have been here, we kept on distributing winter clothes around us, as well as blankets to the young minors of the jail, who don’t have any warm clothes and are suffering from the cold at night as the temperature get close to zero at times.

fam_africa_madagasca_3

The children of the CBA orphanage continue to go to the dentist and it will probably take some time as they are about 60 of them, who never had a dentist checkup in their lives !

fam_africa_madagasca_4

We have been able to buy monthly food sucid:image004.jpg@01D1E80A.27FBDEB0pplies to the CBA orphanage, allowing us at the same time to cook them a very nice meal, of which they are always very thankful. This does not cover all their needs, of course, but it helps a lot and brings variety and improvement to their diet.

fam_africa_madagasca_5fam_africa_madagasca_6

Our work continues with the minors of the jail, who are living in very difficult conditions, especially during the winter. Every month, we are able to bring them food for their body as well as for their soul. This month, the story was about a young prisoner exiled in Siberia, and the different lessons of love, applying God’s Word to our lives and forgiveness. Some of the young people are quite rough, but we trust the Lord that the seeds we plant into their hearts will one day yield lasting fruit.

The construction work of the 2 schools is progressing, slowly but surely. It is amazing the obstacles that we find on our way here, each time we do some construction projects : the last ones being sand mixed with mud, the contractor forgetting to include many important details, like the cost of materials for doors and windows, as well as the ceiling, etc…. We always wonder if there will be more each time we meet him.

Through the fundraising and materials collecting, we have been able to meet new friends and donors. We met our last donor at another’s donor’s place where we were collecting iron rods. He just donated enough funds to build school tables and benches for 200 children who will be attending one of the schools we are helping

Source: The Family Africa

Digital Literacy more than just about access – A Belgian Case Study

/in , /by

Early 2016 the Gezinsbond assigned an independent market research agency (Market Probe) to conduct standardized face to face interviews with members of families living in Belgium, to get a clear view on their existing digital skills. 1015 persons, claiming to be the most responsible for administrative tasks in their household, responded to our questions.

When talking about the digital divide, the first question is about having access to the digital world. According to our study about 14% of the population does not yet have access to a computer or to internet – this group finds itself completely excluded from the digital society. The study also shows that there is another, more deeper dimension to the digital divide: regardless of having access to internet it looks at the skills people need to move around in this digital world. This dimension of the digital gap is more complex as people are always skilled in some digital or financial operations but not in others: they can send emails or perform online payments, but don’t know how to submit an online official document or install a virus scan. The level of skills is very individually colored and nuanced. The study enables us to identify certain patterns that can help us finding the right answers on how to fill both dimensions of the digital gap.

Click here to download the complete study