For over thirty years now, May 15 has been celebrated as the International Day of Families. The holiday was established by the UN General Assembly Resolution of September 20, 1993.
The importance of preserving family values is explored by members of the Children’s Council under the Commission of Children’s Rights Commissioners (Ombudsmen) of the CIS Member States in their international initiative “My Family Has a Tradition...” and they invite others to join the conversation.
Since 2008, the Commonwealth has maintained a tradition of declaring thematic years by the decision of the CIS Heads of State Council. Thus, 2017 went down in its history as the Year of the Family. One of the most significant documents of that period is the Statement by the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States on Support for Family Institution and Traditional Family Values, adopted on October 11, 2017, which emphasizes the key role of the family in the development of future generations.
In the Commonwealth states, the importance of family values is also marked by thematic days. National Family Days are observed on different dates. For example, in Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan, Family Day coincides with the international holiday – May 15. In Kyrgyzstan, Family, Peace and Harmony Day is celebrated on September 24. In Kazakhstan, Family Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of September (September 13 in 2026). Family, Love and Fidelity Day in Russia is celebrated on July 8.
The children of the Commonwealth reflect the shared family values that unite the peoples of our states. Today their voices have sounded in unison, emphasizing that family traditions help preserve relationships, overcome difficulties, understand the importance of one another, and unite generations.