Peru—More than 350 participants joined UPF-Peru’s live online broadcast of its UN 2021 Global Day of Parents forum on May 28. The forum had the special participation of Dr. Dong Mo Shin, President of UPF-South America, and five prominent leaders among academic and religious professionals.
As part of the programming, six new secretary generals of UPF-Peru associations were recognized. As well, 21 new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed, committing themselves to promote peace initiatives and social service work on behalf of those most in need. UPF-Peru Secretary General Jaime Fernández moderated the event.
The opening remarks were given by UPF-Peru Executive President Dr. Trevor Jones, who expressed his gratitude to the Ambassadors for Peace for their constant support in recent meetings held by UPF at international, regional and national levels; for participating as panelists or guests at these meetings; and for promoting and broadcasting these meetings through the media and social networks. He concluded his contribution by emphasizing the role of parents in raising children.
Dr. Shin shared the thoughts of UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon about the role of parents: “When you constantly give love, you will never cease to be replenished. Whoever lives with this vertical, universal true love are the true sons and daughters of God. Wherever true love is, there is also true life. Wherever true life is, there is also a true lineage. This lineage comes through marriage.” Dr. Shin emphasized the importance of good parenting to make the world a better place and urged the audience to work together to resolve the different situations we face in this difficult current context.
"The primary role of parents is to contribute to the development of the personality of their children as having affective, intellectual, ethical and moral maturity," said the National Past Dean of the College of Psychologists of Peru, Dr. Belisario Zanabria Moreno. He also affirmed that parents should dedicate efforts to ensure the affective, cognitive, ethical and values formation of their children from an early age in order to later consolidate this learning with the educational system, which will contribute to solving the problems that afflict our society.
Carmen Guzmán Aguilar, specialist in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Vulnerable Populations, explained how any paradigm shift in parental roles influences child rearing. Both fathers and mothers are referents in the process of the formation of a child’s identity from an early age. Parents contribute to the construction of a worldview and personality. Additionally, they can strengthen meaningful family ties, provide guidance for decision making and become ethical and moral role models for their children.
"Family is the core of society, where children are formed and grow up," said Dr. Pedro Angulo Arana, former dean of the Lima College of Laws, who called on the authorities to formulate public policies that allow for solving current problems in society and promoting conditions that contribute to the physical and mental health of children.
In addition, Pastor Marcelino Salazar, president and founder of the Tabernacle of God International Apostolic Centre, exhorted parents to sow seeds of universal principles and values in their children in order to restore family and current society. Those parents who succeed in being models of the good will be able to instill love and respect in their children, who will consequently honor their parents. "A man can be a good son if there is a change in the heart, in the spirit, centered on God."
The event featured the participation of Karina Medina Vargas, who read the message from the UN General Secretary for the Global Day of Parents, and the presentation of the musician Juan José Luján Espino, who interpreted Peruvian huaynos songs with his harp.
Dr. Jones appointed as new secretary generals of the UPF-Peru associations the following people: Congressman Orestes Sánchez (Interreligious Association for Peace and Development), Teresa Otiniano (International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace), Christian Contreras (International Association of Academicians for Peace) Ángel Sánchez (International Media Association for Peace), Valentín Valladares (International Association for Economic Development) and Rosario Tanaka (responsible for humanitarian work at IAED). Additionally, 21 new Ambassadors for Peace were honored. Mrs. Nora María Rodríguez and Inocente Hugo Terreros gave congratulatory remarks.
The event concluded with remarks by Dr. Jones, who thanked the panelists and guests for their attendance at the meeting and invited them to participate in upcoming UPF meetings and activities.