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UN International Day of Families 2016
International Day of Families Observed in Italy
Written by Franco Ravaglioli, secretary general, UPF-Italy
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Bergamo, Italy—The importance of the family to peacebuilding was the focus of the UPF celebration of International Day of Families 2016.
The program, which took place on May 14 at the Hare Krishna village of Chignolo d'Isola in its public hall, was organized by the UPF chapter in the northern Italian city of Bergamo in collaboration with two affiliated organizations—Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) and Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU). Other co-organizers were Your Bergamo Association, the Islamic Community Bergamasca, the Ghanaian Community in Bergamo, the Evangelical Community of Seriate, and the Hare Krishna Community of Chignolo.
The program began with musical performances by the youth choir of FFWPU, followed by the young musicians group of the Hare Krishna community.
After a greeting and welcome by the host community, Carlo Zonato, representing UPF-Bergamo, acted as the moderator. Next came presentations offered by the representatives of different faiths. Adosco Comito of FFWPU; Pastor Ted Samuel Tetteh for the community of Christ Victory Church Seriate; Marwa El Joulani, wife of the president of the Islamic Community of Bergamo; the teacher of Vedic culture Bhakty Lhabya with a young Brahmin. Highly appreciated also was the testimony offered by Mrs. Franca Oberti about her 40 years of marriage. Nicola Sisto of Your Bergamo Association and Anim Andrews, president of the Ghanaian community in the province of Bergamo, also gave greetings and messages to the audience.
The theme of the family as a "school of love and peace" was, with various nuances, the common thread of the various presentations. While being aware of the crisis in which the family currently exists, all present expressed the strong desire that the family formed by father, mother and children once again will be respected by society, and that the proper link between generations will be observed in order to unite the past, present and future right in a harmonious combination of grandparents, parents and children.
At the conclusion the attendees enjoyed a fine dinner prepared by an expert of the Hare Krishna community. UPF gives special thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this meeting.
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