UN International Day of Families 2011
The UN International Day of Families is celebrated each May at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The Universal Peace Federation joins in commemorating this day because it considers the family as a microcosm of the global community and because sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love. The theme of the 2011 observance was "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion." For a PowerPoint overview of UPF observances, click here.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, Deputy Director, UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - Five Permanent Missions to the UN and the NGO Committee on the Family joined UPF in presenting a program on “Addressing Poverty by Strengthening Families” at the Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN on May 16, 2011.
- Written by: Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Director of Education, UPF-Asia; Photo-journalist, Segye-Ilbo
Saptari, Nepal - UPF-Nepal organized an International Day of Families celebration at a school in Saptari on May 16. A special feature of the event was awarding scholarships to deserving students.
- Written by: UPF - Senegal
Dakar, Senegal - UPF-Senegal held an outdoor conference on the International Day of Families on the theme of "The Health of the Family" in Dakar on May 16.
- Written by: Anila Haziraj, UPF - Korça
Korça, Albania - UPF-Korça and Ambassadors for Peace organized a project to raise awareness of the citizens and different institutions about the importance and value of the family on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Latvia
Riga, Latvia - UPF-Latvia organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families in Riga on May 15.
- Written by: Mercedes González, UPF-Spain
Madrid, Spain - May 15 was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon for a multicultural event to celebrate the International Day of Families. This great occasion was celebrated by 47 people at UPF's Madrid Peace Embassy. The program of this day had two aspects: educational and charitable. All together there were three hours of education, reflection, sharing, and enjoyment.
- Written by: Helen M. Osei, Secretary General, UPF-Ghana
Accra, Ghana - Three types of events were scheduled for the International Day of Families: on May 13, visits to churches to share the ideal of peaceful families; on May 14, a meeting with Muslim couples from Ghana Muslim Mission to discuss the essence of ideal families in peacebuilding and a visit to an interreligious couple; and on May 15, a celebration of the International Day of Families with 15 families receiving a Peace Family Award.
- Written by: UPF - Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand - UPF-Thailand and the Family Federation for World Peace-Thailand joined hands with family-related government representatives to celebrate the International Day of Families in Bangkok on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - India
Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh, India - The Sikkim State Chapter of UPF-India organized a program in a government secondary school hall in Tharpu, West District on May 13 and the Uttar Pradesh State Cahpter organized a program in the District Office Conference Hall on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Benin
Cotonou, Benin - UPF-Benin held an observance of the International Day of Families on May 15 under the patronage of the Ministry of the Family and National Solidarity. Peace Family Awards were presented to outstanding families.
- Written by: UPF - Ireland
Dublin, Ireland - UPF-Ireland arranged for a celebration of the United Nations International Day of Families at the Lantern Centre in Dublin on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - San Marino
San Marino - The International Day of Families was celebrated in San Marino on May 15 with sharing of personal experiences about the value of the family in various cultures.