Marriage provides the best possible foundation for individuals who choose to partner for the long term to play a full and meaningful part in contributing towards a secure society, and that marriage provides the most beneficial environment in which to conceive and raise children.
Marriage is recognised and uniquely valued in all cultures and nations. It involves a private commitment, and a public declaration before witnesses to a relationship which is both permanent, exclusive and voluntarily entered into.
MW encourages as many groups as possible to host an event, or events during the 7-14th February each year designed to celebrate marriage or educate couples.
MW encourages promotional strategies amongst partner groups such as; action groups, church networks, businesses, secular agencies and political bodies who support the same aims and values.
MW is not a forum to propagate a particular political or religious opinion or view, other than that expressed above. However MW recognises that churches and other faith groups in a local context will draw upon a rich religious history to express MW.
Marriage is a lifestyle choice open to all irrespective of race creed or religion which reaches backwards into history, and forwards into the future, to which men and women for generations have participated.
Life is pretty busy, and many couples just forget each other along the way, it’s so easy to get caught up in for example; career, children, housing and just forget and just forget your spouse. So Marriage Week is about reminding a nation to prioritise each other during Marriage Week. You never know your Marriage Week might grow into a year of Marriage Week’s.
Marriage remains incredibly popular – over 90% of young people aspire to be married at some point in the future, and the large majority will achieve this. Two out of every three first marriages will last until one partner dies, and one in two second or subsequent marriages will also last a lifetime.
In the United Kingdom the divorce rate (the number of divorces per 1000 married couples) has remained virtually static since the early 1980’s. Current research suggests that the enduring stability of marriage results from the commitment that two people make to each other, embodied in their vows, and supported by family, friends, and society at large.
Many couples today however come to marriage to celebrate the stability of their relationships rather than to initiate them, so we see couples marrying later in life, often after living together for a period prior to marriage.
What Does Marriage Week Look Like?
- Modern, friendly and encouraging, while retaining traditional principles and values;
- Could mean discovering through reading a newspaper article how to resolve conflict, or a couple attending an “improve your love-life” workshop;
- Is a platform for Christian churches, other faith communities, secular agencies, Government initiatives and community schemes to promote their services;
What is the legal structure?
The intellectual copyright for Marriage Week is held by registered charity Futureway Trust. The project in the UK is operating under the auspices of The Marriage Foundation. Marriage Week International is registered in Geneva as an International Association. However, operationally, Marriage Week International operates under the auspices of The Futureway Trust.
Each nation operates their own autonomous Marriage Week project under informal and formal arrangements with national leaders. Each national project affiliates to Marriage Week International.
Each national leader can be contacted through their web sites; For International development enquiries.
Futureway Trust is a registered charity no. 1086147