La Paz, Bolivia—A “Cultural Family Week” was organized by UPF-Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia from May 10-17, 2015 to celebrate the UN International Day of Families. The Body of Christ Foundation, San Pablo Methodist Church, Spirituality Bolivia Association, Women's Federation for World Peace, and other nonprofit and religious organizations also co-organized the week-long event.
The Cultural Week began with a "Walk for the Family.” Participants held banners and called for support for the traditional family model. The walk ended with a celebration in the Bicentennial Plaza, which was covered by the media.
On May 14, a special seminar was organized on this year’s theme for the International Day of Families, “Men in Charge? Gender Equality and Children’s Rights in Contemporary Families”. Government, academic, nonprofit, and religious leaders attended the event. The panelists were the Hon. Gina Torres; Mr. Gustavo Casanova; Mr. Flavio Diaz; and Mr. Rodrigo Aguilar, who all emphasized the pillars on which we can build healthy, strong, and happy families. A presentation was also given on the “Family as a School of Love and Peace.”
During the event, Mrs. Gina Torres, a congresswoman in Tarija, presented the organizers with a draft law proposing May as the month for the family. The organizers pledged to promote the passage of the bill. Afterwards, couples married for over 30 years were recognized.
On May 15, families gathered at the Miraculous Virgin Chapel in the city of El Alto for a ceremony in which they rededicated their marriages and determined to build better families.
On May 16, UPF-Bolivia and Spirituality Bolivia co-organized a "Spiritual Space Family” event. A presentation on the traditional family and artistic and cultural presentations on different spiritualities were given.
The Cultural Week culminated in a Mass at the Chapel of Villa Adela in El Alto, the second largest city in the department of La Paz.
The cities of Santa Cruz, in eastern Bolivia, and Cochabamba, in central Bolivia, also held programs in observance of the International Day of Families. In Santa Cruz, couples married for more than 30 years were recognized. In Cochabamba, UPF-Bolivia and the municipality of Cochabamba co-organized the "Municipal Platform for the Family," an event featuring a trade exhibition; forums; and stands.