NASSAU, The Bahamas – As the world marked the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting and its partners, observed  the International Day of Families using the theme for Global Family Day 2024, 'Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families.'  The United Nations 2024 theme is 'Families and Climate Change.'

Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles LaRoda spoke at the One-Day Forum held in observance of the day at the National Training Agency.

“We agree with the UN that it will be very hard and expensive to manage climate change if we don’t take serious action now,” the Social Services Minister said.

“As I reported to the UN in March this year, ‘Climate Change has a direct impact on our coral reefs, the artisans in our straw market, the bartenders, waiters, and waitresses in our hotels, the hotel manager, the taxi driver and the restaurant owner.’”

The Social Services Minister said climate change affects everyone and one of the presenters at the Forum, Dr. Rihanna Neely-Murphy, Director of Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, and BREEF representatives would provide tips and tools at the Forum for the young and the old to do their part in restoring our planet.

He also explained that in order for families to be strengthened in the country, everyone should embrace each other’s differences and show more love.

“Just like no two fingers on your hand are the same, no two people are the same. But everyone has an important role to play in their family unit. It does not matter if they are young or old, male or female, able-bodied or have a disability, of a sound mind or have a troubled mind, they all need to feel included.”

Minister LaRoda said he was excited about this multi-agency collaboration with the Community Affairs Division, within the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting and its internal and external partners to provide this timely and much-needed forum for the nation’s families.

“I believe that empowering families through education and community engagement is important for meaningful and effective change.”

He said, “Through these continued partnerships, we hope to strengthen families and build stronger communities.  We also want to provide greater public awareness of the services available to families.

“The ultimate goal is to empower families to become more self-sufficient in addressing their social, emotional, economic, and physical needs using evidence-based interventions and programmes.”  

Minister LaRoda noted that it is intended that other such forums are replicated in communities throughout the entire Bahamas.

“We want to restore National Pride, help decrease crime and other social and moral ills in our nation.”

During the Forum, Drexel Deal of the National Parenting Programme, provided tips to strengthen family relations; Nalini Bethel, Chairman, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, spoke on strategies for strengthening families with disabilities; and Lisa Bowleg, Chief Probation Officer, Community Affairs Division, spoke on how to deal with mental health issues within families and the community at large.

A number of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and government agencies also shared with the public about their organizations and the services they offer.