Yaoundé, Cameroon - One hundred and twenty people participated in a celebration of the International Day of Families at the Hotel des Députés in Yaoundé.
The ceremony began with a moment of meditation and prayer, followed by the National Anthem. Mrs. Anne Nsang N., Director of the UN information Center in Cameroon, Gabon, and the Central Africa Republic, spoke about the background of the day and expressed appreciation for the partnership between UPF and the UN. She read the speech by the UN Secretary-General on the theme of “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World.” She traced the dangers facing mothers in particular and families in general due to abuse, ignorance, and poverty, and stressed the need to care about mothers and their health.
The audience was impressed by her presentation and filled with hope, knowing that people are concerned about and working to solve problems.
Following a reading of the UPF Declaration on Families by Mrs. Lau Asong, UPF-Cameroon Secretary General gave a presentation about "Family, Development, and Peace,” drawing people's attention to the real meaning of the family and the many ways in which families can contribute to national development and bring peace among people. He also emphasized the fundamental role of women in making peace a reality.
Participants expressed interest in learning how to apply these principles. Mr. Daniel Essomba, Secretary General of UPF in Yaoundé invited people to attend a series of workshops on True Family Values beginning May 30.
The celebration ended well with the satisfaction of the audience, the UPF and UN representatives.
To read UPF's Declaration on Families, click here.