1st June 2025 : Global Parents Day

Global Parents Day: Appreciate All Parents Throughout the World

Since the 1980s, the significant role of the family has gained increasing recognition from the international community. The General Assembly has adopted several resolutions and declared the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.

Highlighting the essential role of parents in child upbringing, the Global Day of Parents acknowledges that families bear the primary responsibility for the nurturing and safeguarding of children. For children to achieve full and harmonious personal development, they should be raised in a family setting characterized by happiness, love, and understanding.

Established by the General Assembly in 2012, the Global Day of Parents serves as a platform to honor all parents for their “selfless dedication to children and their lifelong sacrifices in nurturing this bond.”

Families, parents, and caregivers are pivotal in ensuring the well-being and development of children. They provide identity, love, care, resources, and protection to children and adolescents, along with economic security and stability. In alignment with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, support for families and parenting is increasingly acknowledged as a vital component of national social policies and social investment strategies aimed at alleviating poverty, reducing inequality, and fostering positive outcomes for both parents and children.

2025 Theme: Raising Parents

On the Global Day of Parents 2025, the theme “Raising Parents” emphasizes a crucial yet frequently overlooked truth: parenting is a skill that can be learned. Parents and caregivers need time, resources, and support to foster children in a nurturing and positive atmosphere

In conjunction with this year’s observance, UNICEF will initiate Parenting Month 2025 to underscore the significance of providing caregivers with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective parenting. This month-long initiative will showcase heartfelt stories about the joys and challenges of parenthood, offer practical parenting advice and resources, and advocate for increased support for caregivers through parenting programs.

Background

In the 1980s, the United Nations shifted its focus towards family-related issues. In 1983, following the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development, through its resolution on the Role of the Family in the Development Process (1983/23), urged the Secretary-General to raise awareness among policymakers and the general public regarding the challenges and requirements of families, as well as effective strategies to address those needs.

In its resolution 44/82 dated 9 December 1989, the General Assembly declared 1994 as the International Year of the Family; furthermore, in resolution 47/237 of 1993, the General Assembly established that 15 May of each year would be recognized as the International Day of Families.

In 2012, the General Assembly designated 1 June as the Global Day of Parents, to be celebrated annually in recognition of parents worldwide.