In 2014 the United Nations is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Celebrating families in 2014 would represent a major recognition of the considerable role played by families in all Member States and in Europe as a whole.

The year would also give a very positive message to all Europeans, namely that it not only focuses on matching skills and jobs, but it also wants to improve the lives and wellbeing of its citizens. Through addressing the demographic challenges, we can also look forward to a more optimistic future for the European Union.

The 2014 Year could also be a great opportunity to give continuity to the previous European Years, and address European citizens with issues that are really close to them and their every-day preoccupations. The proposed 2014 European Year would build on the achievements and continue to pursue the policy objectives of the previous years, having relevant cross-cutting issues at its heart, starting with 2010, the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2011 the European Year of Volunteering, the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations and the 2013 European Year of Citizens.

COFACE is currently bringing together a number of European NGOs, Social Partners and Family organisations across Europe to support the campaign to have 2014 designated as the European Year for Reconciling Work and Family Life.

COFACE MANIFESTO calling for 2014 European Year for Reconciling Work and Family Life


We would welcome a decision by the European Commission before the end of 2012 to designate 2014 as the European Year for Reconciling Work and Family Life, and in parallel to entrust COFACE with the leadership role for the Civil Society organisations taking part in the activities of the year.

Why the European Year for Reconciling Work and Family Life matters? Because:

1. Families are the building blocks for a well-functioning society;

2. Family Policies have the capacity to affect both unemployment and the demographic challenge in a positive way;

3. Reconciliation policies allowing women and men to balance their work and family lives are key to meet families’ needs and gender equality;

4. Policies supporting families are crucial in tackling and in preventing poverty and social exclusion, and is fundamental to prevent families from becoming marginalised;

5. Drawing attention to the impact of the economic and financial crisis on families is crucial;

6. Families have a key role to play in preventing Early School Leaving;

7. Both participation and socialisation of the child start in the family;

8. Families are the primary unit for consumer education, particularly when it comes to sustainable development or responsible consumption;

9. Intergenerational relationships have particular significance in the lives of families;

10. Families are dynamic units where most critical transitions from one life-phase to another take place.