Quito, Ecuador - At the auditorium of the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Science Education of the Central University of Ecuador in Quito, the International Day of Families was celebrated on May 21, 2014.
On this occasion, UPF-Ecuador especially invited some high school and university students to take a part the event. Approximately 160 persons participated in the event on this day. A student who was the first-place winner of the inter-high school speech competition in Quito gave a presentation about the role of youth in family, and the second-place winner of the speech competition was the moderator of the event. As a musical interlude, the chorus of the Central University of Ecuador demonstrated their young, beautiful singing voices.
The program was as follows:
Master of Ceremonies: Ms. Nicole Dayanne Cruz Carrera, student at “la Unidad Educativa Maurice Ravel”
1. National Anthem
2. Opening Address: Dr. Leonardo Montoya, Ambassador for Peace, Executive Director of UPF-Ecuador
3. Reading the Message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: Col. Francisco Corredores, Ambassador for Peace
4. Musical Presentation: Central University Choir
5. Presentation: Ms. Stephanie Reinoso, second-year student at “la Unidad Educativa Maurice Ravel”
6. Lecture on Family Values: Dr. Eduardo Villarreal, Ambassador for Peace, Member of the Committee on Character Education
7. Religious Message about the Importance of Family for Peace: Prof. Ana Cecilia López, Representative of Brahma Kumaris in Ecuador
8. Reading of UPF's Statement on the Family: Dr. José Chávez, Ambassador for Peace
Recently in Ecuador, the increase in conflict, sexual abuse, violence and murder in families has received attention. UPF-Ecuador asserts that as leaders for the future, young people should take on the responsibility to form good relationship in family and society.