Riga, Latvia - On May 13, a conference was held at the Institute of Transport and Communication (TSI) in Riga on the theme of “Future of Family, Future of the Nation.” Altogether 70 people participated, including students, professors and Ambassadors for Peace.
The conference was opened by UPF-Latvia president, Mr. Leon Bojars.
The Rector of the TSI Institute sincerely congratulated everybody on this lively occasion, and shared how family issues are dealt with in his institute (for instance, students whose parents or grandparents studied in the Institute are given discounts on tuition).
The Rector of the International Baltic Academy, Arkady Votsish, gave a report titled “The Influence of the Family upon the Life of Students.”
Mrs. Aria Karpova, who earned a Doctorate in Psychology and is a Professor of Pedagogy and Psychology at the Latvian University, spoke about the latest data in her research on “Three Generations in Latvian Families.”
Mr. Janis Gulbis, a founder and director of the Riga Center for the Protection of the Rights of Children, revealed the dramatic circumstances of Latvian families for the last 20 years.
The official part of the conference was closed by Mr. Jacques Marion, Secretary General of UPF-Eurasia. He spoke on the theme of “Committed Marriages, the Future of the Family and the Nation.”
In the final part of the meeting, in an informal family atmosphere, participants had an opportunity to share their feelings and reflections about family and significant issues of our life.
The program continued on May 15 at the Peace Embassy in Riga. The 25 participants included Ambassadors for Peace, guests from Latvia and Estonia, and representatives of UPF.
After two reports on the present situation of families in Latvia and Estonia, an analysis was given into the causes of family breakdown and the path to restore the preeminence of marriage and family in our society.
The final presentation on the “World Peace Blessing” was an education about God’s original ideal of the family and the World Peace Blessing. The seminar touched the hearts of people in the audience and made them think deeply about how to restore true values of family.
The speakers included Ms. Maria Resina and Vadim Bolshakov, representatives of UPF-Latvia; Avo Martinson from Estonia; Mr. Jacques Marion, Secretary General of UPF-Eurasia; and Mrs. Mary Hinterleitner, representing UPF-Estonia.
For more information about UPF chapters' celebrations of the International Day of Families, click here.