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UN International Day of Families 2010
Day of Families Celebrated in the Solomon Islands
Written by Chihiro Midorikawa, UPF-Solomon Islands
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Honiara, Solomon Islands - UPF-Solomon Islands sponsored a symposium to commemorate the annual UN International Day of Families on May 15 at the Quality Inn Hotel in the heart of the capital city of Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The symposium focused on this year’s theme: “The Impact of Migration on Families around the World,” subtitled “Challenges to the Security of the Human Family.”
There were about 50 participants from different walks of life including leaders from the government, churches, NGO, and Ambassadors for Peace.
Rev. Caleb Kotali from the United Church opened the symposium with a deep and inspirational prayer which moved many of the participants.
Hon. Augustine Taneko, Honorary Chairman of UPF-Solomon Islands and former Minister of Justice, gave passionate welcoming remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, Mr. Greg Mills, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Mr. Mills, based on his past experience working for Australian immigration in Asia and his recent experience working with IOM in the Solomon Islands, gave very comprehensive explanations about the situation of migrants including serious issues of human trafficking and lengthy separation of families. His presentation enlightened us about the main theme and stimulated questions and discussions amongst audience.
Following the keynote address, the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the International Day of Families was 2010 read by MC, followed by a reading of UPF's Declaration on Families.
The two-hour program concluded with a closing prayer by Pastor Geoffrey Alacky, President of Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association. Many stayed on after the program and enjoyed refreshments while sharing and taking photos of each other. We thank the UN for giving us this opportunity to celebrate the International Day of Families, through which we felt a oneness beyond differences as one global family.
For more information about UPF chapters' celebrations of the International Day of Families, click here.
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