Need to enhance international co-operation in the field of protection and assistance to the family : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling the resolve of the peoples of the United Nations to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, with a view to the creation of conditions of stability and well-being, which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations,

Recalling also its resolution 42/49 of 30 November 1987 and taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution 1988/46 of 27 May 1988 entitled "Achievement of social justice",

Mindful of the importance of the role of the family in society,

Guided by the relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, according to which the widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to the family,

Recalling the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women and its resolution 42/125 of 7 December 1987 in which it endorsed for action the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future, which call for social welfare policies to give greater attention to the family,

Recognizing the efforts of States at the local, regional and national levels in carrying out specific programmes concerning the family, in which the United Nations may have an important role to play, and in raising awareness, increasing understanding and promoting policies that improve the position and well-being of the family,

Recalling its resolution 42/134 of 7 December 1987 on the need to enhance international co-operation in the field of the protection of and assistance for the family,

Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolutions 1983/23 of 26 May 1983 and 1985/29 of 29 May 1985,

1.         Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, on the possible proclamation of an international year of the family, prepared in pursuance of its resolution 42/134;

2.         Takes note of the responses to the Secretary-General's inquiry as to the desirability of proclaiming an international year of the family, summarized in his report;

3.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session a report containing the proposed date and a comprehensive outline of a possible programme for an international year of the family, in conformity with Assembly decision 35/424 of 5 December 1980 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 concerning the guidelines for international years and anniversaries;

4.         Invites Member States that have not yet done so to make their views known to the Secretary-General concerning ways and means of improving the position and well-being of the family and intensifying efforts as part of an international year of the family;

5.         Requests the United Nations agencies and organizations, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, to submit to the Secretary-General proposals on their participation in an international year of the family, in order to facilitate the preparation of his report;

6.         Decides to consider the report of the Secretary-General and to take a decision on the final date of an international year of the family at its forty-fourth session, under an item entitled "Families in the development process".