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: Fritz Piepenburg, UPF-Germany
Frankfurt, Germany - A commemoration of the International Day of Families in Frankfurt on May 15 had the motto “Ensuring Work Family Balance.” Following a musical introduction by the singer Margaret Staudinger, Thea Kuenzig explained that the International Day of Families highlights the significance of the family for society at large.
- Written by: UPF - Germany
Stuttgart, Germany - A forum on "The Significant Role of the Family for the Individual and Society" took place on May 12 in Stuttgart.
- Written by: UPF International
New York, USA - UPF chapters organized a variety of celebrations of the International Day of Families, May 15, 2011. The theme chosen by the United Nations was "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion."
- Written by: kito
New York, USA - The Permanent Missions to the UN of Angola, Iraq, Nigeria, Qatar, and Tunisia, and the NGO Committee on the Family, in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation, co-sponsored a program on “Addressing Poverty by Strengthening Families” at the Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, New York on May 16. The program was directed by Mrs. Genie Kagawa, Deputy Director of the UPF Office of UN and International Relations. [See report.]
Download: PowerPoint Report at sideshare, Program Booklet
- Written by: UPF - Slovakia
Bratislava, Slovakia - On the occasion of the UN International Day of Families, the Slovak chapters of the Universal Peace Federation and the Women's Federation for World Peace organized an event in the Zichy Palace located in the old town of Bratislava.
- Written by: Nancy Bulow, UPF-Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC, USA - The UN International Day of Families was commemorated at The Washington Times’ Beech Room in the District of Columbia on June 17. Diplomats, media representatives, community activists, and NGO leaders made up the one hundred guests. The six speakers represented a wide spectrum of thinkers dedicated to supporting and strengthening families worldwide.
- Written by: UPF - Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda - UPF-Rwanda, together with other partners, joined the rest of the world in marking the UN International Day of Families with a June 5 event in Kigali on the theme "The Family, a Building Block for World Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay - Awards were presented to couples who have been married 25 years or more at a May 17 ceremony at the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel.
- Written by: UPF - Ireland
Dublin, Ireland - UPF-Ireland arranged for a celebration of the United Nations International Day of Families at the Lantern Centre in Dublin on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated in Chisinau under the slogan “The Traditional Family Guarantees Future Prosperity” in a variety of events from May 9 to 14. NGOs drew the attention of the community to the challenges facing the traditional family and ways to address them.
- Written by: UPF - Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan - A celebration in support of the UN International Day of Families took place in the city of Almaty on May 22 at the Peace Embassy of the Kazakhstan Republic.
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia - The International Day of Families was celebrated in Bogotá on May 22 with a presentation on the theme of "The Family as the School of Love."
- Written by: Anila Haziraj, UPF - Korça
Korça, Albania - UPF-Korça and Ambassadors for Peace organized a project to raise awareness of the citizens and different institutions about the importance and value of the family on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Senegal
Dakar, Senegal - UPF-Senegal held an outdoor conference on the International Day of Families on the theme of "The Health of the Family" in Dakar on May 16.
- Written by: Jesus Navarro, Secretary General, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - About 130 attendees packed the main hall of the Torre Credicard in Chacaíto, Caracas, for a celebration of the International Day of Families on May 15. Political, religious, and social leaders as well as families and youth enjoyed the program sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation and Ms. Melba Sanchez, who provided the room and refreshments for the event.
- Written by: UPF - Philippines
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines - UPF-Mindanao supported the worldwide observance of the International Day of Families on May 15 by celebrating with a special family gathering at Barangay Nazareth Plaza, Cagayan de Oro City.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, Deputy Director, UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - Five Permanent Missions to the UN and the NGO Committee on the Family joined UPF in presenting a program on “Addressing Poverty by Strengthening Families” at the Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN on May 16, 2011.
- Written by: UPF - Congo
Brazzaville, Congo - On Sunday, May 15, in the Conference Room of the Phoenix Hotel in Brazzaville, 80 people including children, Ambassadors for Peace, and journalists attended the celebration of International Day of Families organized by UPF-Congo.
- Written by: UPF - Latvia
Riga, Latvia - UPF-Latvia organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families in Riga on May 15.
- Written by: Djimadoum Fabrice, UPF-Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia - UPF-Zambia observed the UN International Day of Families on May 14 in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. The event took place in the hall of the Peace Embassy Building. The celebration gathered about 35 people from different fields: Ambassadors for Peace, teachers, students, clergymen, business people, couples, and members of UPF-Zambia.
- Written by: UPF - India
Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh, India - The Sikkim State Chapter of UPF-India organized a program in a government secondary school hall in Tharpu, West District on May 13 and the Uttar Pradesh State Cahpter organized a program in the District Office Conference Hall on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Japan
Tokyo, Japan - UPF-Japan organized a commemorative event for the International Day of Families on May 14 in Tokyo. The event was supported by the Association for the Promotion of True Families, and more than 50 participants including several international couples and families living in Japan attended.
- Written by: UPF - Australia
Victoria, Australia - UPF-Australia hosted a family evening on June 2 at the City Hall in Victoria.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria - Following the post-election violence which erupted in some northern states of Nigeria leading to loss of lives and property, bringing much pain and agony to many families, the Lagos State chapter of UPF organized a conference to commemorate the International Day of Families. The event took place on May 12 at the Lagos Airport Hotel-Ikeja.