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 - Gabon
Libreville, Gabon - UPF-Gabon organized an International Day of Families program at the Sylvia BONGO ONDIMBA Foundation Center on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - Around 50 participants attended the UN International Day of Families on May 10 in Oslo. The event was organized at Diakonhjemmet University College with the theme "The Role of the Family for Human Development and a Healthy Society."
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogota, Colombia - UPF-Colombia organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families on May 20.
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - UPF-Taiwan observed the International Day of Families with a forum on May 6 on the theme of "The Challenges of Passing on Our Faith to our Children."
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria celebrated the International Day of Families with a forum on the theme of Ensuring Work Family Balance at the UPF headquarters on May 15. Dr. Walter Baar, from the Institute for Trends Research, spoke on Family and the World of Work: Successful European Models.
- Written by: UPF - Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia - A forum on "Developing a Balanced Partnership between Husband and Wife" took place on May 13 at the UPF Peace Center in Tomang, Jakarta. On May 19, a forum on "Family Values" took place at the KHBP Kebayoran Baru in Jakarta.
- Written by: UPF - Brazil
Sao Paulo, Brazil - The International Day of Families was observed on May 15 with a program in the Sao Paulo City Hall. A panel of speakers from a variety of religions and NGOs talked about the importance of family values in preventing social problems and building a better world.
- Written by: UPF - Benin
Cotonou, Benin - A commemoration of the International Day of Families, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, and Africa Day took place on May 18 in the Foreign Affairs banquet hall. The program emphasized strengthening marriage and family as a way to promote peace, security, and development.
- Written by: UPF - Mauritius
Reduit, Mauritius - A Family Fun Sports Day took place on May 19 for the 160 sponsored children and their guardians sponsored by the Women's Federation for World Peace in Mauritius. There were track and field events as well as value-based games at the Maryse Justin Stadium in Reduit in which whole families could participate.
- Written by: UPF - Netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands - UPF-Netherlands organized a commemoration of the UN International Day of Families on May 19 at Christus Triomfatorkerk in The Hague. Musicians Carlos Figueroa and Giancarlo Dragonetti performed.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - UPF-Argentina celebrated the International Day of Families on May 15 with a recognition of 17 couples who have been married more than 25 years.
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
Czech Republic -UPF-Czech Republic organized two conferences on the International Day of Families: in Brno on May 15 and Prague on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Ghana
Accra, Ghana - UPF-Ghana and the Family Federation for World Peace held a forum on May 15 to commemorate the UN International Day of Families as well as a workshop on marriage and family. In addition, "Peace Family Awards" were presented to selected couples who have lived together for over 20 years without conflict as well as families who are outstanding examples of living for the sake of others.
- Written by: UPF - Niger
Niamey, Niger - UPF-Niger organized a forum on May 15 in commemoration of the International Day of Families. There were presentations about the family by a Muslim, a Christian, a sociologist, and a UPF representative, followed by a debate and questions and answers.
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - UPF-Ecuador organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families in the former Senate Hall of the National Assembly on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Peru
A forum celebrating the International Day of Families took place in the Peruvian Congress on May 25. Congressman Dr. Yonhy Lescano co-sponsored the program along with UPF-Peru. On May 15, an International Day of Families program took place in Trujillo.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
UPF-Russia organized a variety of programs in 11 cities throughout the federation on the International Day of Families, including forums, round-table discussions, artistic and cultural activities, visits to veterans, and a beauty pageant.
- Written by: UPF - Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands - The conference hall of the Marshall Islands Resort Hotel in Majuro was the venue for an International Day of Families program on May 17.
- Written by: UPF - Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua - An afternoon seminar on "The Centrality of the Family for Peace" took place on May 15 at the Real intercontinental Metrocenter in Managua.
- Written by: UPF - St. Lucia
Marisule, St. Lucia - The St. Lucia Chapter of UPF celebrated the UN International Day of Families with a one-day workshop on May 19 in Marisule, Gros-Islet. Organized jointly by UPF and the National Youth Council, the activity brought together a mix of youth leaders and more mature Ambassadors for Peace to discuss the theme “Better Families for Stronger Communities.” Forty participants attended the event.
- Written by: UPF - Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan - UPF-Kazakhstan organized a one-day seminar in commemoration of the International Day of Families in Almaty on May 12 on the theme "The Family as a School of Love and Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia - UPF-Armenia organized International Day of Families programs at the Yerevan State School No. 194 on May 14 and 15.
- Written by: UPF - Canada
Toronto, Canada - UPF-Canada held a joint conference with the Women's Federation for World Peace in Toronto on June 9 on Promoting Strong Family Values as a Foundation for a Peaceful Nation in support of the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF International
New York, USA - The UN Focal Point on the family invites feedback on preparations for the observance of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2014.