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UN International Day of Families 2016
International Day of Families Observed in Latvia
Written by Janis Valters, vice president, UPF-Latvia
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Riga, Latvia—UPF-Latvia held a program on “Successful Marriage Preparation” to celebrate both International Day of Families and Global Day of Parents.
The 22 participants included a current member of Parliament and two Ambassadors for Peace, as well as a number of new guests.
The program on May 28, 2016, began with a musical performance, after which UPF-Latvia President Dr. Makoto Ando warmly welcomed the audience and gave an introduction to UPF. Dr. Ando explained that the goal of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in founding UPF was to build a peaceful world through building peaceful families. He referred to a saying of Rev. Moon: "The family is a base camp of world peace."
Member of Parliament Mrs. Inga Bite was the main speaker. She introduced the marriage preparation program offered by the Latvian Ministry of Justice. Mrs. Bite explained its outline and main points, adding several good allegories about the meaning of marriage preparation and advice for married couples on how to sustain a happy and lasting marriage.
Next, the presentation "Successful Marriage Preparation" was given by UPF-Latvia Vice President Mr. Janis Valters. He spoke about the value of marriage, the need for marriage education and the elements of marriage preparation such as becoming a good marriage prospect, making a decision to love, learning from parents etc. He explained that immature love focuses on receiving love but mature love focuses on being a loving person.
The final part of the program was a discussion by groups in which participants gave their opinions on the personal qualities and relational skills that young people should have before they consider getting married. They also discussed how one can learn these skills. This turned out to be the liveliest part of the event.
In particular, Mrs. Bite had a good impression about this event, and she said that she would like to attend the next UPF conference in London, if possible.
Meanwhile, the new guests, especially the university students and other young adults, expressed their interest in UPF and the family values that UPF is promoting.
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