Bringing world peace means addressing and solving concrete problems worldwide such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, mental health, violence, prejudice, gender inequality, elder neglect, child and domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and drug and alcohol abuse. Although the approaches to solving these problems must be multi-faceted, it is important to realize the importance of strengthening the family for ameliorating and preventing these critical issues. UPF looks at some of these international challenges to society and world peace and points out the correlation between the breakdown of the family and devaluing of marriage. Building a culture that will sustain peacefulness and stability can only be accomplished when we gain clarity about sexuality, the responsibilities of parents, the importance of marital commitment, and the needs of children for optimum development.

For research and articles about the impact of changing family patterns, see Smart Marriages website.

A selection of articles by Ambassadors for Peace:

A New Perspective on the Family
Iso Iriarte, Senior Advisor, Pohnpei Council of Chiefs, Micronesia   
"In our traditional family structure, fathers do not have very much to do with the welfare of the children. But now I join my wife in looking after, bathing, dressing, and playing with my five-year-old son."

Peace in the Family
Galina A. Kharitonova, President, Life NGO, Russia
"Whoever recognizes the importance of peace in the life of the human being will surely strive and will achieve accord with all people and will cooperate with others for the sake of keeping peace among all peoples."

The Importance of Family
Dr. Ruta Pels, Chairman, People to People, Estonia     
"The family members can explain to children the need for solidarity between poor and rich, old and young, and healthy and sick people. Only God-centered values and social values help to change the attitude of children toward the important things in the world."

Harmonious Families as Pillars of Peace
Hermenegilde Rwantabagu, Academic Affairs Leader, University of Burundi
"Within the African tradition, it is often said that the family makes children by providing them with a livelihood and by molding their personality, while children make the family by giving it cohesion and a sense of mission and responsibility."
The Family: Crucible of Character
June Saunders, Educator and Author, USA
"We all know that parents are their children’s first teachers. This includes teaching children about good character."

Sexual Purity and Strong Marriage as Bases for Peace
Lynn Walsh, Director, UPF Office of Marriage and Family
"Our highest, most authentic self is experienced in getting out of our own perspective to understand and accept others. God created us as beings that at our core are motivated and fulfilled through love."