FOLLOW US
UN International Day of Families 2010
Day of Families Celebrated in The Hague
Written by UPF - Netherlands
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The Hague, Netherlands - UPF Netherlands supported the International Day of Families with an event at The Hague on May 15. The emcee, Sadikoen Wirjoredjo, typified the multinational heritage of many Dutch people: he is Dutch, with ancestry from Indonesia via Suriname, and his wife is German.
Dutch aristocrat and Roman Catholic promoter of interreligious and intercultural cooperation, Jean M.F.G. Bosch van Drakestein read UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message on the International Day of Families.
Prominent speakers talked about international and intranational migration, citing personal experiences. Mrs. Joty ter Kulve-van Os was born in Indonesia and after spending World War II in a concentration camp, she migrated to the Netherlands. She was treated as an 'other' when she arrived, and later saw the migration from another side when many came to live and work in the Netherlands. She is active in promoting good relations between the Netherlands and Indonesia. The Linggarjati Agreement of 1946 was the de facto recognition of the Republic of Indonesia by the Kingdom of The Netherlands and the right of self-determination of a people, after centuries of domination. She and her organization, the Friends of Linggarjati, seek to give form and content in a worthy manner to the ties of friendship between the two people, the Dutch and the Indonesians.
Speaking on the theme of "From Fear to Trust," Protestant minister Elzo Bijl described the great fear he experienced as a boy when his family migrated within the Netherlands; he now promotes “integration” in Rotterdam.
Dr. Caecilia van Peski talked of the difficulties of internal and international migration, including abuse of migrant workers. She will speak on behalf of the Dutch Women to the UN Assembly in October this year as part of the Dutch delegation.
Three people spoke about the family from a spiritual perspective. Wim Koetsier, UPF Secretary General, talked about “The Family as the Foundation for Developing a Person's Heart and Character.” Sufi Imam Dr. Hashim Jansen, spoke about the “Wisdom of Love
That Brings Joy,” particularly drawing on Muslim traditions and his own experiences. A representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hylke J.B. Falkena explained “The Value of Families from a Christian Perspective,” giving many examples from his own life.
Members of Suriname Afimo choir, themselves at one time migrants, delighted the audience. After the interval, Hans Campman played a piano solo, combining a number of national anthems and ending with Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," the official anthem of the European Union. After the group photograph, Carlos Figueroa played guitar. Five new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed, and they led everyone in a toast to world peace.
For more information about UPF chapters' celebrations of the International Day of Families, click here.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Australia
UPF-Australia Convenes Mutual Prosperity Summit
Melbourne, Australia—The Mutual Prosperity Summit focused on “Rethinking Our Economic Models.”