Uruguay—On May 15 every year, the UN International Day of Families is commemorated. The UN General Assembly proclaimed this international day in 1994, taking into account that the family is the central nucleus of any society. The fundamental objective of this commemoration is to create awareness about the fundamental role of families in the education and ethical guidance of children. This date gives us the opportunity to recognize, identify and analyze social, economic and demographic issues that affect the family’s development and evolution.
For this reason, UPF-Uruguay held an event to mark this international date on May 15, 2021. It was held jointly with the Uruguay branches of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace.
The constitution of the Republic of Uruguay places great importance on the family. In Ch. II, Article 40, it says: “The family is the basis of our society. The State will ensure its moral and material stability, for the better formation of children within society.” We organized a webinar conference through the Zoom virtual platform with the objective of reflecting, fostering and encouraging values of love, respect and trust, which strengthen family ties and in this way make an effective contribution to stability and social progress. The online program had 72 participants.
A panel of speakers addressed three themes:
- Academics: The family from the sociological point of view.
- Religion: The family as a community of life and love.
- Rights: Constitutional protection of the family.
The emcee was Mrs. Daniela Felibertt, president of the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace-Uruguay
The initial greetings were in the charge of Dr. Seo Sung Jong, sub-regional president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unity and UPF for South America
The speakers included the following:
Gabriela Viale, Ambassador for Peace;. representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; coordinator of the Interreligious Dialogue Table of Uruguay.
Her topic: "The Family: The Armor on Which Our Future as a Society Depends."
Dr. Gerardo Barceló, Doctor in Law and Social Sciences at UDELAR.
His topic: "The Family, Commitment of the State and Individuals."
Edgardo Martínez Zimarioff, Ambassador for Peace; former minister of the Electoral Court of Uruguay; master coach, facilitator, president of the International Federation of Sports Coaching.
His topic: "The Family in Society: Role and Influence."
Webinar participants also included Mr. Miguel Werner, president of UPF-Argentina, and Mrs. Roswitha Dueck de Giuliano, international vice president of WFWP-Latin America and president of WFWP-Paraguay.