Quito, Ecuador - The Grand Hall of the Quito Chamber of Commerce was the setting for the International Day of Families celebration on May 15.
A representative of UNICEF, Ms. Eider Palacios, read UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message on the International Day of Families. Prominent Ecuadorian government officials were present, including Dr. Jaime Pala, a representative of the National Secretary of Migrants, who described the work of migrants in Ecuador. Three members of the National Assembly were present; one of them, Linda Machuca, Vice-president of the Commission of Sovereignty, Integral International Relations and Integral Security, read a message from the President of the National Assembly.
Among the 380 in attendance were diplomats from Italy, Cuba, Bulgaria, and Lebanon.
There was a round-table discussion on the theme of “The Impact of Migration in Ecuadorian Families.” High school students whose family members migrated to another country described their experiences and offered reflections. They all focused on migration in one way or another. Some people rise to the challenges more easily than others, who let themselves be influenced in a negative way. Those who participated in the round-table discussion had decided to make good choices, not let their families down, and seek peace and love in their daily activities.
Carmita Moreno, an educator, noted that it is important to place high value on families who are together, and if people need more money to sustain life, hopefully families will not be destroyed because they migrate in order to improve their income. One young woman on the panel said, "I would rather be poor and have no money than be alone"
Students from the Reino de Quito elementary school performed a folk dance, and the program closed with the singing of "Cantaré cantarás."
For more information about UPF chapters' celebrations of the International Day of Families, click here.