ISA – International Schools Association

International Day of Families

International Schools Association

May 15th, 2025

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES

The United Nations International Day of Families is observed annually on May 15th to raise  awareness about the importance of families in society and to promote issues related to family well being. The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and reflects the significance  the international community places on families as fundamental units of society. 

Organiser:

Cempaka International School

(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

General goals

  1. Highlight Family Issues: The day is an opportunity to raise awareness of social, economic,  and demographic processes affecting families worldwide. 
  2. Promote Policies Supporting Families: It encourages the implementation of policies and  programs that support family-related concerns, such as work-life balance, social inclusion,  and poverty reduction. 
  3. Celebrate Family Diversity: It recognises the diversity of families across cultures and  regions, emphasising the need for inclusion and respect for various family structures. 

 

Ultimately, the goal of this event is to foster empathy, understanding, and shared values among  students across cultures by celebrating the family — in all its forms — and encouraging students  to reflect on how families contribute to global well-being.

Event Background

The United Nations International Day of Families is observed annually on May 15th to raise  awareness about the importance of families in society and to promote issues related to family well being. The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and reflects the significance  the international community places on families as fundamental units of society. 

 

Themes: 

Each year, the International Day of Families focuses on a specific theme, such as:

• Family and Climate Action: Exploring the role of families in environmental sustainability.

• Digital Technologies and Families: Addressing the impact of technology on family  interactions and dynamics.

Work-Family Balance: Promoting policies that allow families to thrive in modern  economies. 

Celebrations: 

The day is observed through various activities: 

  • Conferences and Panel Discussions: Events to discuss family-related challenges and  solutions. 
  • Cultural Events: Celebrations showcasing family traditions and unity.
  • Policy Dialogues: Advocacy for laws and initiatives supporting family well-being.
  •  

This observance is an opportunity to reflect on how families contribute to social development and to  promote measures that strengthen families in diverse contexts. 

How to Participate

  1. Take part in a global survey (“What Affects My Family”), prepared by Cempaka  International School. 
  2. Choose an activity from the Family Bonding Initiatives list to celebrate the  International Day of Families at your school and share your experiences. 

 

Global Survey : “What Affects My Family?” 

Purpose: To understand the key factors impacting families around the world, as part of the  observance of the United Nations International Day of Families

Deadline: 13th May 2025  

(Survey responses will be shared with ISA member schools on 15th May 2025. School may  then proceed with post-survey reflections). 

Cempaka International School, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia seek the cooperation of all ISA  member schools to share the “What Affects My Family?” Survey with their students  and school community and have the survey completed by 13th May 2025.  

The survey is designed for international respondents. It can be used with parents,  students, and both working or non-working adults to gather insights into the social,  economic, and demographic challenges families face globally. 

Survey link

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pHEpqexb6CrmFIFCkgOggjOnUT5iqA_Sr-EwUljsjRg/ preview 

The survey will be published from 2nd May 2025 for data collection. Deadline: 13th May  2025  

 

Family Bonding Initiatives 

Purpose:  

  1. To celebrate family traditions, values and unity, fostering awareness and appreciation  among students 
  2. To help students reflect on the role of technology in family dynamics, fostering critical  thinking, creativity, and practical solutions for healthy digital interactions.  3. To empower students to understand work-family balance issues, develop solutions, and  advocate for better policies, fostering awareness and creativity. 
  3. The activities also create opportunities for reflection, foster creativity, collaboration and  cultural appreciation among secondary school students. 

 

Family Bonding Initiatives: Activity List 

  1. Family Voices Video Diary 
  2. Cultural Cuisine Tasting 
  3. Family Time Analysis & Report 
  4. Family Activity Fair

 

Family Bonding Initiatives: Description of Activities 

  1. Family Voices Video Diary 

 

Description: This is a creative activity where students record short video interviews with their  family members to capture their thoughts, routines, and values related to a specific theme (e.g.,  impact of technology on family life, work-family balance, sustainability habits, or how their family  stays connected). 

This project promotes empathy, digital literacy, communication skills, and family bonding. Students gather data by observing and interviewing family members.  

Interview questions are available from this link here: (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQzXsiwBZz1RWFPXfk2a5GylwdBOUuRM8Db6nk-BbXw/edit? tab=t.0

Use simple voice recorders (even phone apps) to create audio files, edited into a  short podcast or storytelling segment (3–10 mins) entitled: “Voices from My Home”  and email the podcast to nikzakiah@cempaka.edu.my 

These personal stories can be compiled into a class presentation, digital storytelling  project, or school exhibition and can be shared over school announcements,  newsletters, or class websites. 

  1. Cultural Cuisine Tasting 

 

Description: Students bring a traditional family dish to class to share and explain its significance. Students prepare dishes at home with family and write a short description of its  history or relevance. 

A tasting event is organised in school/classrooms where students present their dishes. To include a small quiz or discussion about the dishes and cultures. 

Record this experience in a 2 – 3 minutes video and email the video to  nikzakiah@cempaka.edu.my 

Alternatively, create a Photo Essay entitled “One Table, Many Stories” showcasing photos around family mealtime or traditions and email the photos to nikzakiah@cempaka.edu.my .  

Suggestion for further activities: Students compile a digital or printed  cookbook of family recipes that use local, seasonal, or plant-based  ingredients and share the cookbook. 

  1. Family Time Analysis and Report 

 

Description: Students observe, analyze and reflect on the amount and quality of time their family  spends together, while identifying factors that influence family-work balance.

Copy the prepared worksheet/Observation Protocol, entitled the Family Time  Analysis & Report, to track family activities for a week from this link here (https:// docs.google.com/document/d/ 1wsDAf0ecgIA2OfbWivdA3oYPYylJvyYoS8knixmeAPg/edit?tab=t.0

Edit the copied document to collect data. Students gather data by observing and  interviewing family members. 

Identify challenges and propose ways to improve balance (e.g., device-free family  time, flexible work hours). 

Students compile their findings into reports, infographics or digital slides and email  them to nikzakiah@cempaka.edu.my

In school, students may present them in class or during a school assembly.

4. Family Activity Fair

 

Description: Students organize a fair showcasing fun, low-cost family activities that promote  quality time. 

Students brainstorm family-friendly activities (e.g., board games, DIY crafts, or  outdoor games) and identify a suitable date for this from 13th – 15th May 2025. Set up booths demonstrating these activities and include guides or kits for families to  take home. 

Invite families to participate in the fair on the chosen date. Take photographs and  short videos of the event. 

Collect feedback on which activities participants (parents, students, guests) enjoyed  most. 

Record this experience in a 2 – 4 minutes video and email the video to  nikzakiah@cempaka.edu.my 

Rules & Recommendations

Inclusity first
  • Ensure that activities and discussions are sensitive to cultural, religious, and family  diversity
  • Avoid assumptions about family structure (e.g., two-parent households); include all family  types (single parents, guardians, extended families, foster care, etc.). 
  • Use gender-neutral and respectful language
Theme Selection

Choose a unifying global theme aligned with the UN’s annual focus or from the following: • Technology and Family Life 

  • Work-Family Balance 
  • Family and Climate Action 
  • What Family Time Means to Us 
  • Highlighting Global Family Issues 

Schools can focus on one theme or allow students to choose.

Content Guidelines
  • All submitted materials (videos, posters, essays) must be original and appropriate for a school setting.
  • Submissions must be in English (or bilingual with English translation) for international sharing.
  • Media (photos, videos) featuring family members must be used with consent. • Consult school teach team for technical support or tools for editing and subtitling.
Reflections and Presentations
  • Students are encouraged to reflect not only on their family but also on how families are  shaped by culture, technology, and policies
  • Teachers may offer a presentation rubric or visual aid guidelines.
Student Safety

Students must not share personal family details that could compromise privacy or security. Obtain signed media release forms if videos/photos are used publicly.

Cultural Sensitivity
  • Encourage sharing, not comparing. Avoid judgmental language about different family  norms.
  • Teachers can provide cultural context guidelines for students to introduce their family  values respectfully.

How to Participate

  • Schools should do prior work with a group of students in order to participate effectively.
  • At least some idea of  Human Rights across the world and a little bit of rhetorical/persuasive devices (not essential like the prior research). 

  • There could be listeners/ inactive guests.

Confirm interest by filling the following form

In case you may have doubts or you may require any other additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us in our email communication@isaschools.org