UNESCO's role in sensitizing governments to family problems

Abstract

In the framework of its educational, scientific and cultural mission, UNESCO has always shown great interest in those issues concerning the family in the different cultural spheres worldwide. UNESCO's activities in this sector is based on prolonged reflection on the diversity of this institution and considers the family as the fundamental unit of society, but at the same time a social factor and one of development. Besides, UNESCO's interest in the family is from different, but complementaIy angles. The first deals with peace and ethical values, since the family constitutes one of the privileged sources of moral and civic education, and is the place where the first education about relationships and mutual understanding can be obtained thanks to listening to and respecting others. The educational role of the family, both as the source of values and also as the psychological and affectionate fulfilment of children, deserves to be tackled in the light of the changes that are evident in contemporary society.