Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru, together with support from the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)-Peru, held a forum at the Congress of Peru in Lima on May 11, 2017 in celebration of the UN International Day of Families 2017. The event, which was co-sponsored by congressman Dr. César Vásquez Sánchez, took place in the auditorium Alberto Andrade Carmona and was attended by more than 200 people.
Following the opening remarks, which were given by Dr. César Palomino Colina, a senior adviser to Dr. Sánchez, Mrs. Rosario Lopez, representing WFWP-Peru, shared words on the significance of the International Day.
The three main speakers were Dr. Carmen Meza Ingar of the Lawyers College, Lima; Dr. Virginia Zegarra Larroche of the Association of Afro Peruvian Roots; and Mrs. Willma Chira de Arrus, founder of the Network of Municipal Ladies of Lima. They each shared their own perspective on the importance of the family, giving examples from their own lives, and emphasized how good families are a key factor in building a world of peace.
Afterwards, 11 new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed, including Dr. Sánchez; Dr. Belisario Teodosio Zanabria Moreno, dean of the College of Psychologists; Dr. José Ricardo Rasilla Rovegno, dean of the College of Economists; Dr. Pablo Flores Guerrero, president of the Club of Ancash (an influential city institution); and Mr. Christian Otiniano of the international NGO The Nature Conservancy.
Music was performed by international concert guitarist Teodoro Gamboa and Cesar Villalobos, director of Inca Son.
In his closing remarks, retired Gen. Hector Jhon Caro, vice president of UPF-Peru, spoke about his personal experience of having a mother who invested everything to raise him to be the outstanding person that he is today.