UN International Day of Families 2009
The UN International Day of Families is celebrated each May at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The Universal Peace Federation joins in commemorating this day because it considers the family as a microcosm of the global community and because sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love. The theme of the 2009 observance was "Mothers and Families." For a PowerPoint overview of UPF observances, click here.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: Christopher Davies, UPF-Netherlands
Den Haag, The Netherlands – The International Day of Families was celebrated in the Christus Triumfatorkerk in Den Haag on May 15. The program included a video on the Millennium Development Goals and the Role of Women and several speakers.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF - Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh - The United Nations Information Centre-Dhaka, UPF, and the Women’s Federation for World Peace organized a seminar on “Creating a World of Peace: One Family at a Time” at the Dhaka Business and Professional Women’s Club to mark the International Day of Families.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: Jeremy Jordan, UPF - Israel
Jerusalem, Israel - On May 15 the UN International Day of Families was celebrated at the picturesque Rose Gardens in front of the Knesset parliament buildings in downtown Jerusalem, with the theme: "Creating a World of Peace, One Family at a Time."
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF - India
Sikkim and Punjab, India - UPF-India organized an International Day of Families event at a school in East Sikkim and a hospital in Jalandhar, Punjab.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF - Cote d'Ivoire
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated on May 15 in the Abidjan City Hall. More than 200 people attended the ceremony, including three Members of Parliament, the Chief of Cabinet of the Governor of Abidjan, NGO leaders, women leaders, community leaders, and youth leaders.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF-Russia
Commemorations of the UN International Day of Families took place in Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Ryazan, St. Petersburg, Tver, Vladivostok, and Yekaterinburg. Events included lectures, service projects, and a fashion show.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF - Cameroon
Yaoundé, Cameroon - One hundred and twenty people participated in a celebration of the International Day of Families at the Hotel des Députés in Yaoundé.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF-United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom - The UN International Day of Families was supported by an enthusiastic, interfaith audience revealing the universal interest and concern for the family. There were presentations on "Preparation and Early Support for Family Life" from Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Jain and Unificationists as well as an explanation of the value of Couple Relationship Education.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: Carolyn Handschin, Director, UPF - UN Office in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland - In the sixth event in an ongoing “Peacebuilding and Human Rights” conference series, the Universal Peace Federation, together with the Geneva Interfaith Intercultural Alliance and the Women’s Federation for World Peace International, sponsored two sessions at the United Nations in Geneva on May 15 to mark the International Day of Families.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF-Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal - “That’s a very nice way to frame the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals,” Ram Babu Shah, the head of the UN’s Information Center in Nepal said about the theme of the International Day of Families celebration: “Creating a World of Peace, One Family at a Time.”
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: UPF - Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland—Rev. Hjörtur Johannsson, pastor of the Free Lutheran Church, hosted a celebration on May 15 promoting the universality of the family and God as the parent of all humankind. A Muslim speaker expressed concern about the degradation of the family and emphasized the equality of all humanity regardless of race, sex, or religion.
- UN International Day of Families 2009
- Written by: Steinar Murud, UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - In partnership with the largest mosque in Norway, UPF celebrated the UN International Day of Families on May 14. The MC introduced the UN program for the day as a wonderful opportunity to organize more activities based on the theme of the family.