UN International Day of Families
The International Day of Families, May 15, is celebrated at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The Universal Peace Federation joins in commemorating this day because it considers the family as a microcosm of the global community and because sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love.
- Written by: UPF-International
The Universal Peace Federation affirms the value of the family as the core unit of society. The family has formed the basis for communities, societies and civilizations throughout the ages. Virtually all the world’s religions teach the sacred value of marriage and family. The family is the school of love. It is also the school of virtue, ethics and citizenship.
- Written by: UPF-International
The International Day of Families, May 15, is celebrated at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The Universal Peace Federation joins in commemorating this day because it considers the family as a microcosm of the global community and because sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love and peace.
For 2016, the UN chose the theme "Families, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Future." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "Families are on the frontlines of our global efforts to realize the bold and inclusive 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are particularly essential to achieving SDG3, in which all United Nations Member States committed to promoting healthy lives and wellbeing for all at all ages."
Programs may include:
- A seminar with presentations such as Family as the School of Love and Peace, Family Values and Peace, Benefits of Marriage, Promoting a Marriage-Friendly Culture, Marriage, My Spiritual Path
- Recognition of couples who have achieved a milestone in married life (such as 25 or 50 years)
- A forum on a topic of local or national concern
- An outing for families at a park or working together on a project to benefit the community.
Resources
United Nations Site on the International Day of Families
Fun Family Activities
Fact-finding challenge/treasure hunt
Other organizations dedicated to strengthening marriage and family
- Written by: Gani Rroshi, secretary general, UPF-Albania
Korçë, Albania—UPF co-sponsored a conference titled "Family, Between Values and Challenges."
- Written by: Dr. Trevor Edward Jones, President, UPF-Peru
Peru—UPF-Peru organized various events through the month of June.
- Written by: Dr. David Earle, director, UPF-Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom—Different faiths, cultures, nationalities and ages were represented.
- Written by: Dr. Trevor Edward Jones, Executive President, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru celebrated the UN International Day of Families on May 31, 2023, focusing on the theme “Demographic Trends and Families.”
- Written by: Lynn Walsh, Director, Office of the Family, UPF
UPF International—The world just reached a record population height of eight billion and yet many countries are distressed with their extremely low fertility rates.
- Written by: Lance Gardiner, UPF South London
London, United Kingdom—Nearly 50 participants commemorated International Day of Families.
- Written by: Miguel Werner, President, UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina paid tribute to 10 couples married for 26 to 56 years during their 15th celebration of the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: Steinar Murud, secretary general, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—UPF observed International Day of Families with a lecture on the benefits to society of healthy families.
- Written by: Raúl Rey Banegas, President, UPF-Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay—UPF-Uruguay celebrated UN International Day of Families 2023 with the theme “Family as the Foundation of Society.”
- Written by: Hildegard Piepenburg, UPF-Germany
Stuttgart, Germany—A UPF online interview focused on strengthening and stabilizing the nuclear family.
- Written by: Ejona Icka, secretary general, UPF-Kosovo
Ferizaj, Kosovo—A UPF Peace Council used a cultural performance to promote family values.
- Written by: UPF International
UPF International—UPF Statement for the UN International Day of Families 2023.
- Written by: Dr. Andrei Eșanu, secretary general, UPF-Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova—More than 40 volunteers participated in a bicycle tour to promote International Day of Families.
- Written by: Miguel Werner, President, UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—Thirty couples were recognized at the 14th annual UPF-Argentina celebration of the International Day of Families.
- Written by: Jean-François Moulinet, coordinator, Dialogue & Alliance, UPF-France
Paris, France—Dialogue & Alliance organized its monthly interfaith meeting in recognition of International Day of Families.
- Written by: Olga Neyzdayminova, UPF-Ryazan
Ryazan, Russia—"Family is the school of love" was the main message at a UPF event.
- Written by: Franco Ravaglioli, secretary general, UPF-Italy
Almè, Italy—UPF co-sponsored an evening called "How to Build a Happy Family."
- Written by: Peter Haider, president, UPF-Austria
Vienna, Austria—UPF and two affiliated organizations jointly commemorated International Day of Families.
- Written by: Gani Rroshi, secretary general, UPF-Albania
Tirana, Albania—Thousands of Albanians attended a festival in two cities called "The Family as the School of Love.”
- Written by: UPF-Uruguay
Uruguay—UPF held a meeting of Ambassadors for Peace to celebrate UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: Dr. Juraj Lajda, UPF-Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic—A prominent member of Parliament was the guest speaker at the UPF celebration.
- Written by: UPF-Australia
Melbourne, Australia—The UN International Day of Families was commemorated at UPF-Australia’s second peacebuilding seminar of 2022.