From the warmth of family dinners to birds crossing continents, today we celebrate the incredible connections that keep us all together.
From the warmth of family dinners to birds crossing continents, today we celebrate the incredible connections that keep us all together.
Every year on 14 May, the world celebrates the International Day of Families, a special day set up by the United Nations in 1993 to remind us how important families are to our well-being. Families come in all shapes and sizes — some have two parents, some have one, some are raised by grandparents or extended relatives. In Singapore, many families include grandparents, parents, children, and even cousins all living close together or gathering often for meals. Our families teach us our first language, our values, and how to care for others. Whether your family is big or small, it is one of the most powerful forces shaping who you are.
Today is also World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated twice a year — in May and October — to raise awareness about birds that travel thousands of kilometres across the globe. Migratory birds do not have passports, but they cross countries and continents guided by instinct, the position of the sun, and even the Earth's magnetic field. Singapore is actually an important stopover for many migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a major bird migration route stretching from Russia and Alaska all the way down to Australia and New Zealand. Birds like the Asian Brown Flycatcher and various shorebirds rest and refuel at places like Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore before continuing their incredible journeys.
What do families and migratory birds have in common? Both show us the power of connection and returning home. Just like birds navigate across oceans to reach their destination, family members who work or study abroad often feel a strong pull back to their loved ones. In Singapore, where many families have roots in China, India, Malaysia, or other parts of the world, this idea of belonging to a place and a group of people is very meaningful. Families are our first community, our safe harbour, and our launching pad into the world.
This year's theme for World Migratory Bird Day is 'Shared Skies', reminding us that birds do not belong to one country — they belong to all of us, and we all share a responsibility to protect them. You can help by keeping outdoor cats indoors during migration season, reducing light pollution at night which can confuse birds, and supporting wetland conservation. And on International Day of Families, take a moment to appreciate the people who make your house a home. Call a grandparent, help cook a meal, or simply say thank you — because the smallest acts of love are what keep families strong.