Need to enhance international co-operation in the field of the protection of and assistance for the family

The General Assembly,

Mindful of 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 between nations,

Recalling that, in accordance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to the family, which is the natural and fundamental group unit of society,

Recalling also the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, which provides that the family, as a basic unit of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members, particularly children and youth, should be assisted and protected so that it may fully assume its responsibilities within the community,

Convinced of the urgency of meeting the diverse needs of the family, both as a beneficiary of and as an active participant in the development process,

Recognizing the necessity of consolidating the efforts of all States in carrying out specific programmes concerning the family, in which the United Nations may have an important role to play,

Aware of the international consensus on the importance of the role of the family as an agent of positive change in society,

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

Convinced that appropriate measures should be taken at the local, national, regional and international levels to mobilize efforts on behalf of the family,

Recalling, in this connection, its 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,

1.         Invites all States to make their views known concerning the possible proclamation of an international year of the family and to offer their comments and proposals thereon to the Secretary-General before 30 April 1988;

2.         Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a comprehensive report, based on the comments and proposals of Member States, on the possible proclamation of such a year and other ways and means to improve the position and well-being of the family and intensify international co-operation as part of global efforts to advance social progress and development;

3.         Decides to consider that report and to take appropriate decisions thereon at its forty-third session, under an item of the provisional agenda entitled "Families in the development process".