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Powerpoint Report
London, UK - UPF-UK sponsored an International Day of Families symposium May 16 on the theme chosen by the UN for 2010: ‘Impact of Migration on Families Around the World.’
We examined the human experience of migration. The tensions that develop as differences emerge between the first generation migrants and the second or third generations. We looked at migration as a natural process where far away neighbours come to visit one another and some of them stay on for a variety of reasons be it economical, or for getting better higher education or simply some other reason. We considered the tensions also within the families of the migrants if one of the family settles first to make a foundation for the others to follow. The dangers of establishing ‘Fortress Europe’ were explored.
Speakers included:
- Prof. Dr Siddarth Saxena of Cambridge University, Chair of the Cambridge Central Asia Forum
- Bishop John Larbi, speaking about marriage from a Christian perspective
- Sheridan Mangal, speaking about the impact of migration on his community
- Seja Majeed, speaking from a young person’s perspective on the impact of migration growing up in a different culture from the parents
We considered the UPF motto of building “One Family Under God,” in which the best method for international peace is the development of international and interracial marriages. In this realm the core statement of UPF, ‘living for the sake of others’ has healthy challenges that cause us all to reflect.
The United Nations International Day of Families is an annual event held on May 15th each year at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The annual International Day of Families grew out of the International Year of the Family celebrated in 1994.
The Universal Peace Federation views the family as a microcosm of the global community. Sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love.
The focus for the May 15, 2010 observance is the impact of migration on families around the world. An estimated 214 million people have migrated to other countries in search of employment. The family members left behind depend on remittances for their survival. Families, however, are primary providers of emotional support as well as material support. Separation can have high emotional costs both for those who move and for those left behind. This year's focus of the International Day of Families can help open people's hearts to the needs of migrants and their families.
For more information about UPF chapters' celebrations of the International Day of Families, click here.