FOLLOW US
UN International Day of Families 2017
International Day of Families Observed in Haedo, Argentina
Written by UPF-Argentina
Haedo, Argentina—Six couples who have been married between 27 and 46 years were recognized at an event held in Haedo city in Buenos Aires province to celebrate the UN International Day of Families 2017. The theme for this year’s Day is “Families, Education, and Well-being.” (1) The celebration, which took place on June 9, 2017 at the Promotion Society of Haedo, was also held to support the Global Day of Parents, which was proclaimed by the UN in 2012 to recognize the role of and to “honor parents throughout the world.” This year, UPF-Argentina distributed statements for both the International Day of Families and the Global Day of Parents (2).
Mr. Cristian Martínez, who works for the municipality of Morón; UPF-Argentina; and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU)-Argentina, an affiliated organization, co-organized the event.
The couples who were recognized were Hugo Manuel Torres and Estela Alejandra Schawne (who have been married for 27 years), Carlos Alberto Lastra and Elizabeth del Valle Alcorta (approaching 28 years on June 29), Jorge Victorio Malla and María Adelma Terribile (34 years), Ricardo Marcelo Montero and Adela María Schell (32 years), Leonardo Alberto Chaves and María Teresa Gil (43 years), and Horacio Alberto Hernández and Lidia Noemí Naso (46 years).
All the honored couples, with some participating by video call, expressed their gratitude. Each were given a framed certificate; a copy of the autobiography of UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon, “As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen;” and a copy of the anthology of winning poems from UPF-Argentina’s eighth International Poetry Contest, “Peace as the Protection of Creation.”
The two speakers were Mr. Cristian Martínez and Mr. Miguel Werner, secretary general of UPF-Argentina.
At the end of the program, the couples joined in the symbolic cake cutting, which was followed by a musical performance by Sandra Manami, who sang several songs. Some of the couples were moved to dance as she sung.
Each year, since 2007, UPF-Argentina has recognized couples who have been married for more than 25 years to highlight and promote “commitment and the spirit of cooperation; the values of dialogue, mutual respect, altruism, empathy, solidarity, patience, love; and family, which is the natural place for the growth and education of children, the basic nucleus of society, a divine institution, and a foundation of community and global peace,” as written in the certificate the couples received.
(1) On September 25, 2014, the 193 member states of the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 goals, to be achieved by 2030, that seek to “eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths; address environmental destruction; and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere.” The UN affirms “Families and family-oriented policies are vital for the achievement of most of these goals.”
(2) Statement on the International Day of Families
UPF-Argentina honors the UN Resolution celebrating the International Day of Families (*) and shares the following statement on this significant date:
FIRST: UPF recognizes the family as the microcosm of the global community. Once the world finally arrives to an age in which sustainable peace and harmony can be enjoyed among peoples and cultures, this coexistence will be based on that basic unit, humanity’s heritage. In other words, a functional family is essential to building a healthy society, and is a significant element for reconciliation and peace.
SECOND: Regardless of any conditions of race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, and religious belief, we are all members of a certain family. Family is universal. Even more important, family is the school of love and ethics. Through experiences in our families, we learn how to value all the other relationships in our society, which is our bigger human family, and with friends, neighbors, coworkers, colleagues, and strangers. Moreover, families can help dissolve old resentments that fuel civil, tribal and religious conflicts.
THIRD: A faithful marriage between men and women, and a harmonious family, form the foundation for human development and social progress. It becomes essential for the growth and stability of children, character education, social relationships and civic duties. Solid, healthy and loving families help protect society from moral decline in young people; increase in crime, drugs and corruptions; as well as the spread of infections such as HIV/AIDS.
FOURTH: The family has successfully adapted to changes throughout history. It has survived revolutions and empires, and it has prevailed despite the economic and social turbulence in many societies. This is called adaptability; nonetheless, nowadays it is being threatened by a range of social, economic, cultural, political and ideological situations. This is the time to strengthen the family. To restore the family is a way of addressing the spread of social and civil problems that desolate this world.
FIFTH: Everlasting peace will not be settled just with the establishment of laws supported by the State and with the cooperation of social organizations. All of this has to be ensured as a basic human right, promoting awareness of human solidarity as a family, as brothers and sisters that share a moral and spiritual heritage. In short, as one universal family under the same God.
For this reason, UPF-Argentina celebrates the International Day of Families, with 2017 marking the twenty-third anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
Argentina, May 15, 2017
In 1993, the UN General Assembly designated May 15 as the International Day of Families (resolution 47/237, September 20). In 1989, the General Assembly proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Family (resolution 44/82) as a way to “raise awareness, increase understanding and promote policies that improve the position and well-being of the family.”
“Honoring Life”
Statement for the Global Day of Parents 2017
UPF-Argentina values and celebrates the Global Day of Parents (*) (resolution 66/292*, adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 17, 2012) and, on this occasion, delivers the statement, “Honoring Life”:
- Life is a gift, and is the first, essential human right to ensure. Life is being threatened everywhere, not only in areas of conflict and war, but also within society, by old and new political, economic, and social conditions, such as terrorism. Even if it is redundant: all rights and values come from the respect for life.
- Honoring parents as the giver of life and values. Being a responsible father and mother requires sacrifice, daily commitment, time, and love. Therefore, we reaffirm the value of those who decide to give birth to children, the most precious resource of humanity. We also value those who assumed this role in challenging social realities.
- A father and a mother are the backbone of the family. The understanding and communication with and mutual love between a father and mother are vital for raising a child and developing his/her talents, personality, and love; and for him/her to be honest and support the community. Children are the privileged ones in a home, which includes grandparents, keeper of traditions and source of experiences and wisdom.
- Acknowledging and honoring the Creator, our common origin according to the most diverse spiritual traditions. Maker of the sacred value of life, maker of the essential universal relationship: Father/Mother/Son-Daughter, which makes us belong to a great universal family. This divine essence in each being and our common destiny can be celebrated on this Global Day of Parents.
UPF considers it essential to create a culture of peace and achieve sustainable social development, which requires our commitment and daily cooperation. Therefore, we urge governments, non-profit organizations, companies and academic institutions to create conditions of well-being and stability through promoting and supporting innovative projects and programs aimed at increasing the value of life and the inalienable human dignity.
Argentina, June 2017
Global Day of Parents: UN Resolution 66/292
- Decides to proclaim 1 June the Global Day of Parents, to be observed annually, honoring parents throughout the world;
- Invites Member States to celebrate the Global Day of Parents in full partnership with civil society, particularly involving young people and children;
- Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and civil society organizations for appropriate observance.
130th plenary meeting
17 September 2012
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