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"Nothing in the world could make human life happier than to greatly increase the number of strong families." David R. Mace A family is the fundamental unit in the society, and the multifaceted tasks performed by it makes it the most needed one. Families are the societies' oldest and most resilient organization. These are the most fundamental social units in all human societies across the world, and every human with families are at the core of a healthy society. The UN General Assembly in 1993 took a step to provide a prospect to encourage the understanding of issues relating to families and also, to improve knowledge of the social, financial and demographic processes affecting families. It declared 15th of May as the International Day of Families via resolution A/RES/47/237. The day reflects the importance of families attached with the international community. Every year the International Day of Families focuses on different themes. The International Day of Family 2013 focuses on “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.” Socioeconomic development is frequently associated with disparities, disproportion or marginalization of certain groups. Unemployment and poverty based on financial crisis or a under developed economic infrastructure are the basis for social disintegration and partition. In the wake of modern development such as ageing and demographic changes, as well as migration and urbanization, traditional extended family structures are collapsing providing numerous challenges to social integration and intergenerational solidarity. Ageing societies face difficulties like economic sustainability of the social welfare systems, providing adequate incomes after retirement and basic social services, such as healthcare and social care of the aged. The World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995) defined the objective of social development in general and social integration in particular as the creation of “a society for all”. As the social group of the household system, families have a strong social cohesion and multifaceted approach. They are the core of the family unit, the community and the society at large. It is one of the most cherished social environment and the field where we begin the vital processes of socializing and honing our skills on how to survive and flourish in the world. The strong unity of families is one of the most frequent way to exist for members of the family that is possible only through Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity which in turn can only be achieved through eradication of poverty, creation of employment, promotion of education for all, gender equality, sufficient basic social services, health and social care in all ages. For more information, visit: Striipes - Social Development
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