Issue No. 9 | September 2021
FAMILY WEEK The 1st National Family Week for The Bahamas was held 25 - 30 July 2021 and celebrated ways in which resilient families provide stability in neighbourhoods, communities, and nations. Organiser Cheryl Walkine (1985 Queen’s College Alumna) describes the week as a blessing. As a McFAM (Marriage Children Family Alliance Movement) Advocate. National Family Week is celebrated in many countries around the world on an annual basis. Other organisations that supported the week-long event included the Ministry of Social Servies and Urban Development, Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Urban Renewal Commission. Community Affairs Division, Bahamas Crisis Centre, and other organisations including civil society, private sector, NODCI (National Organisation Development Connections International), and other Family Organisations. The theme of the event was Developing A National Sustainable Economy through Strong Families. The event loaned itself to families, having an opportunity to honour the family unit and promote policies, programs, and projects that would empower dysfunctional families and affect ways individuals might collaborate and contribute to a brighter future for The Bahamas. The week was filled with activities and training events (including an overview of Dr Stephen R Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful Families, facilitated through the Queen’s College Centre for Further Education) that were fun learning opportunities that promoted sharing knowledge and implementing features that supported economic growth. Prime Minister of The Bahamas, The Honourable Dr Hubert A Minnis, signed the proclamation for the inaugural National Family Week on Thursday, 22 July 2021.
Video of the Key Note Address given by the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education. Video courtesy of NOD Connections International.
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