International Day of Families 2025
Strengthen Core Family Values with Love and Conscience
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
May 15, 2025
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 15 as the “International Day of Families” to raise awareness of family-related issues and to promote a better understanding of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families worldwide. Since the family is the first place where norms of behavior and values are formed, sustainable education and action within daily life allow good values to be passed down from generation to generation. As we celebrate the International Day of Families, let us take a moment to reflect on the most precious value of the family – as the soil that nurtures individual life, as a safe harbor in the storms, offering us life’s lessons, where we discover boundless love, peace, and spiritual guidance and hope.
The theme for the International Day of Families 2025 is: “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development,” with the observance aiming to “Note the importance of family policy focus in the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development.” Family structures evolve in response to their environments, and global trends such as technological advancement, rapid urbanization and migration, and climate change present new challenges for families. Families, along with family-centered policies, play a crucial role in promoting global sustainable development, addressing poverty, eliminating discrimination, and creating a better vision for future generations.
Family shapes each individual into a unique person. Within the embrace of love and warmth, we find comfort during times of struggle and share joy in moments of triumph. Love nurtures bonds that endure over time and cultivates the ability in each of us to share that love with others. Peace begins at home. A harmonious family creates a ripple effect, spreading understanding, tolerance, and unity throughout communities, societies, and nations. When we foster peace within our homes—through open communication, respect, and kindness—we help build a world that is more accepting and inclusive.
The individual is the basic unit of the family, and conscience is the inner compass that guides each person to discern right from wrong and to take the right actions. The conviction of conscience is our strongest support, giving us the unwavering strength to persevere. The family is where we first learn the values of conscience, such as integrity, honesty, and responsibility. Every family faces challenges, but the light of hope gives us the strength to overcome them and helps us through difficult times. Hope inspires us to dream, to take action, and to build a better future for those we love. The values of conscience, love and peace, and hope are like the four pillars of a building, upholding the harmony and stability of families, societies, nations, and the world.
The world today is facing many crises, largely due to the fading of core values. Now, more than ever, we need to find ways to restore the four essential values. The key lies in “conscience awakening, creating hope.” Conscience guides us to seek balanced love and peace, while hope inspires us to take action to achieve harmony and coexistence.
Change begins from within. A simple “Five-Minute Meditation” can help us reconnect with ourselves, rediscover our inner wisdom, and find the courage to make positive changes. The voice of conscience strengthens the clarity and determination needed to uphold these four core values. When individuals embrace and practice them within their families, the family becomes stronger; with harmonious families, society becomes more cohesive, and nations prosper. This is the key to transforming today’s turmoil into new opportunities and a sustainable future.
Today, as we celebrate the value of family, let us remember that love, peace, conscience, and hope are not just words or ideals, but the very foundations upon which the positive energy of a better world is built. A strong family means a strong society. Therefore, let us hold our loved ones closer, speak more kind words, and dedicate ourselves to making our families places filled with love and unity.
Happy International Day of Families! May your hearts and homes always be filled with warmth, joy, and togetherness.
Thank you all!