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 - Palau
Koror, Palau - For this year's International Day of Families program on May 29, UPF-Palau invited three partners to participate: the officers of the Ngerubesang Club from Melekeok state (the capital state), the Palau Canoe Club, and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, which coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan.
- Written by: UPF - New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand - Several very entertaining performances at the May 11 International Day of Families program in Auckland made it real celebration of the family. The entertainment complemented the insights by the speakers into the family and its importance. There was a warm atmosphere, and the speakers were easily able to make their points to the attentive crowd on this year's theme: Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.
- Written by: UPF - St. Lucia
Castries, St. Lucia - UPF-St. Lucia celebrated the International Day of Families with a forum on May 25 featuring speakers on several topics.
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic -UPF-Czech Republic organized a conference on the occasion of the UN Day of Families on May 23 took place in the European House in Prague.
- Written by: UPF - Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands - An International Day of Families event took place at the Long Islands Hotel of Majuro on May 15 with the attendance of members of Parliament and government officials, local government officials, and others.
- Written by: UPF - Republic of Congo
Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo - The Governor of Pointe-Noire, Alexandre Honore Paka, attended a program on the International Day of Families, May 15. After the singing of the National Anthem, Rev. Annule Michel Ndolo, Secretary General of UPF-Republic of Congo, read UPF's message for the day, and Ms. Mabika, a representative of the UN, read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. New Ambassadors for Peace were appointed.
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogota, Colombia - UPF-Colombia held a program about the International Day of Families on May 25 at the Peace Embassy of Colombia with 45 people leaders and Ambassadors for Peace in attendance. The celebration of the International Day of Families was designed to strengthen family values and concluded with an exercise called the "Workshop of Forgiveness."
- Written by: UPF - Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia - At Yerevan state school No. 194, UPF-Armenia held a program named ”Healthy Family” on May 18 as a part of a celebration of the UN International Day of Families. Eleven families participated in the program.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Moscow, Russia - In cooperation with the Youth Commonwealth Department of Culture in Moscow, UPF-Moscow held several events in the framework of the UN International Day of Families in the week leading up to May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand - In commemoration of the United Nations’ International Day of Families, UPF-Thailand and the Family Federation for World Peace-Thailand held two seminars: in Bangkok May 6-8 and in Kalasin province May 10 and 11.
- Written by: UPF - Togo
Lome, Togo - The International Day of Families was commemorated on May 18 with a speech on the "Family as the School of Love and Peace," given by Rev. Henyon Kokou, national leader of the Family Federation for World Peace.
- Written by: UPF - DR Congo
Kinshasa, DR Congo - A forum in commemoration of the International Day of Families took place on May 18 in Kinshasa. The provincial Minister of Gender and Family was the keynote speaker.
- Written by: UPF - Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica - UPF-Jamaica hosted a program at the UPF Lecture Hall in Kingston on May 19 in keeping with the United Nations Declaration of May 15 as the International Day of Families. The theme was "Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity."
- Written by: UPF - Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan - A conference related to the International Day of Families on May 25 was opened by a musical greeting of the People's Artist of Kazakhstan and Ambassador for Peace, Akaltyn.
- Written by: UPF - Albania
Tirana, Albania - A celebration of the International Day of Families was held in the Peace Embassy in Tirana on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Fourteen couples who have been married between 28 and 65 years were recognized in the celebration of the UN International Day of the Families, under the motto: “Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity,” which was organized by UPF-Argentina at the Peace Embassy on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands - UPF organized an observance of the International Day of Families in The Hague on May 11.
- Written by: UPF - Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine - Ukraine is famous for its family traditions, and therefore, family values and the International Day of Families were widely celebrated in Kiev, with UPF contributing to the educational program "School of Life" and planting trees at five orphanages.
- Written by: UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - UPF-Georgia organized a number of educational programs celebrating the International Day of Families, including a poster contest, a quiz, and a forum.
- Written by: UPF - Indonesia
Medan, Indonesia - The celebration of the International Day of Families held at the Islamic University of North Sumatra on May 15 was the first commemoration of a UN day organized by UPF on the island of Sumatra. Students and teachers alike appreciated Mr. David McLackland’s lively presentation on the theme “Preparing Youth for Marriage.”
- Written by: UPF - Lithuania
Panevezys, Lithuania - An International Day of Families program honoring 35 outstanding local families took place on May 15 at the Panevezys Art Gallery. UPF-Lithuania sponsored the program in conjunction with the Active Women Club of women politicians in the city, led by UPF Ambassador for Peace Mrs. Danute Krisciuniene. The title of the event was short and warm: “I Thank You.”
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - Dr. Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury delivered the keynote address at the Inaugural Convocation of the Global Women’s Peace Network–Taiwan on May 4. Dr. Chaudhury, who chairs the Special Study Expert Committee on Rape, Human Trafficking and Gender Violence of the Government of India, spoke on “Women’s Role in the Peace Building of the 21st Century - Eliminating Violence Against Women and Building up the Peace Network: Addressing from the Gang Rape Case in India.”
- Written by: UPF - Cote d'Ivoire
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire - A ceremony commemorating the International Day of Families took place at the Abidjan City Hall on May 15. The Secretary General of UPF-Cote d'Ivoire explained about the International Day of Families, introduced UPF's five principles of Ambassadors for Peace, and described the central role of the family in social integration.
- Written by: Christopher V. Davies
Christopher V. Davies of UPF-Netherlands attended an International Day of Families meeting at the European Parliament on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation.