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 - Russia
Observances of the International Day of Families 2013 took place throughout the Russian Federation.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated in the Kehra Gymnasium in Tallinn on May 15; 34 8th-grade students participated, together with three teachers. The lecture was on the topic "The Family as the School of Love."
- Written by: Dr. Robert Kittel, Photo-journalist
Kathmandu, Nepal - From new-born babies to the elderly, along with the whole spectrum of our human family—students, disabled, orphaned, and eminent leaders of civil society, all celebrated the UN International Day of Families in Nepal. Programs held in five cities may well have helped Nepalese rediscover their most cherished heritage: the intergenerational family.
- Written by: UPF - Brazil
Brasilia, Brazil - Senator Magno Malta from the State of Espírito Santo, President of the Parliamentary Front for the Defense of Life and the Family, organized a conference with the following theme: “The Challenges of the Post-Modern Society for Valuing Life and Empowering the Family,” at the Federal Senate on May 15, the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF - Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - Presentations about preparing for marriage and a concert with music on the theme of the family honored the UN International Day of Families in Chisinau.
- Written by: UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - For the fourth time, the UN International Day of Families was celebrated in Oslo, with a full auditorium at the Diakonhjemmet University College. The presentations and the discussions focused on the topic “What’s Best for the Child – A Search for a Good Framework for Children’s Development.”
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters observed the UN International Day of Families, May 15, 2013, with a variety of activities on the theme of "Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity."
- Written by: Joy
Tokyo, Japan - In commemoration of the United Nations’ International Day of Families, families participated in a volunteer clean-up program organized on April 29 organized by UPF-Japan and the Ambassadors for Peace South Tokyo Council.
- Written by: UPF - Sri Lanka
Negambo, Sri Lanka - A program on May 16 for students and staff in the Negambo Educational zone included lectures from religious leaders, a staff member of the UN office in Sri Lanka, and a staff member from the Education Department.
- Written by: UN Secretatry-General Ban Ki-moon
Families hold societies together, and intergenerational relationships extend this legacy over time. This year’s International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate connections among all members of the constellation that makes up a family. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how they are affected by social and economic trends – and what we can do to strengthen families in response. -UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [availale also in Spanish]
- Written by: UPF - UK
London, UK - UPF-UK commemorated the International Day of Families on May 16 at 43 Lancaster Gate, London. This year's UN International Family Day theme, "Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity" is very appropriate tor UPF's ideals of creating "one Family under God," which is based on development of good families serving the community.
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - A May 14 presentation on "The Role of the Family in Today's Israel" by Dr. Walter Baar marked the International Day of Families in Vienna.
- Written by: UPF - Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - UPF-Malaysia organized a Family Symposium in conjunction with the UN International Day of Families on May 12. This Sunday gathering was part of an ongoing series "Happy, Healthy Family Campaign," with symposiums held every other Sunday.
- Written by: Marcus Younas, Director, Religious Youth Service, Pakistan
Multan, Pakistan - The International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate the importance of families to people, societies and cultures around the world. Society for the Promotion of Education and Awareness (SEAP Pakistan) and Religious Youth Service Pakistan commemorated the International Day of Families on May 15 at SEAP Pakistan’s Secretariat in Multan, Southern Punjab.
- Written by: UPF - Burkina Faso
Banfora, Burkina Faso - La journée Internationale des Familles sera célébrée le Samedi 18 mai à Banfora dans la Région des Cascades et sera marquée par la tenue de quatrième festival des Familles pour la Paix, l unité et la solidarité.
- Written by: UPF - Suriname
Paramaribo, Suriname - UPF-Suriname held a conference for Ambassadors for Peace celebrating the International Day of Families on May 14. The peace principles of UPF were presented as a solution to domestic violence, followed by a question and answer period.
- Written by: UPF International
The Universal Peace Federation statement on the UN International Day of Families 2013: “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.”
- Written by: UPF - Germany
Stuttgart, Germany - To commemorate the UN International Day of Families, UPF-Stuttgart organized a May 11 program. The speaker was Rosemarie Tijsterman on the topic ‘The Five Languages of Love’, based on the book by Gary Chapman.
- Written by: UPF - Peru
Lima, Peru - UPF-Peru celebrated the International Day of Families on May 15 with a forum in the Congress of Peru. Featured speakers included a representative of the UN, Rebecca Arias, and the Ministry for Women. Congressman Dr. Yonhy Lescano co-sponsored the event. In the coastal city of Trujillo, two International Day of Families programs were organized by UPF regional representatives in conjunction with local mayors and councilors.
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - An International Day of Families program took place at the Hall of the National Union of Journalists in Quito on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Albania
UPF-Albania organized observances of the International Day of Families 2012 in Durres, Elbasan, Lezha, Tirana and Vlora.
- Written by: UPF - Malaysia
Penang, Malaysia - UPF-Penang organized a special parent-child program in conjunction with the UN International Day of Families’ theme “Ensuring Work-Family Balance” on June 24.
- Written by: UPF - Slovakia
Nitra, Slovakia - But UPF activists in the city of Nitra set up an information table and panel on May 8 in the MAX shopping center to promote the International Day of Families and distribute leaflets and bookmarks about the importance of the family.
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters in 71 nations organized a variety of forums, award ceremonies and commemorative events on the UN International Day of Families, May 15, 2012.