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 - Canada
Montreal, Canada - UPF-Montreal's observance of the International Day of Families on May 18 began with a reading of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for this year that concludes with a resolution to “support families as they nurture the young, care for the old and foster strong communities built on tolerance and dignity for all.”
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - UPF-Ecuador organized a celebration of the International Day of Families on May 14.
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria hosted a forum on May 14 in honor of the International Day of Families. Six speakers addressed the topic of "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion." A buffet and concert by Slovakian musicians closed the event.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - A moving celebration of recognition to couples who have been married more than 25 years was held on May 12 in Buenos Aires by the Universal Peace Federation, in support of the International Day of Families. Dialogue, comprehension, communication, patience, tolerance, faith, love, and God were mentioned as fundamental values by the couples as they shared some experiences of their lives.
- Written by: Mercedes González, UPF-Spain
Madrid, Spain - May 15 was a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon for a multicultural event to celebrate the International Day of Families. This great occasion was celebrated by 47 people at UPF's Madrid Peace Embassy. The program of this day had two aspects: educational and charitable. All together there were three hours of education, reflection, sharing, and enjoyment.
- Written by: United Nations Programme on the Family
Poverty means more than income and material deprivation. Social exclusion can be seen as a form of poverty as they both originate in discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity and gender, inequality, unbalanced rural/urban development, unequal distribution of assets or unequal access to services. The excluded are mostly unable to improve their well-being due to socio-political structures of the societies they live in. Indigenous and ethnic minorities are often most affected by exclusion.
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters around the world hosted celebrations of the UN International Day of Families 2011.
- Written by: UPF - Seychelles
Victoria, Seychelles - UPF Ambasadors for Peace visited the North East Point Elderly People's Home on the International Day of Families. They organized a tea party and entertainment for the residents.
- Written by: Jacqueline Mutewa, UPF-Zambia
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
- Written by: UPF - Moldova
- Written by: UPF - Barbados
Bridgetown, Barbados - The Barbados National Peace Council (UPF-Barbados) hosted an International Day of Families celebration with the theme "The impact of migration on families around the world" on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Ukraine
- Written by: UPF - Russia
International Day of Families observances throughout Russia featured sports events, a festival, a character and beauty pageant, forums, classroom lessons, and role-playing games.
- Written by: UPF - Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated in the Hall of the National School of Nursing in Freetown on May 15.
- Written by: UPF-Ireland
Dublin, Ireland - A symposium at the Lantern Interfaith Centre in central Dublin on May 18 addressed the theme of this year's UN International Day of Families: The Impact of Migration on Families around the World.
- Written by: Sister Kate Holmstrom, Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre, UK
Milton Keynes, UK - An event focusing on Families and Migration gathered about 35 people at the Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes, on May 15, observing UN International Day of Families 2010.
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - To popularize the International Day of Families, promote good family relationships, and become closer to the natural environment, UPF-Taiwan organized an outing on May 15 to the Flying Ox's Pasture resort.
- Written by: John Gehring, Religious Youth Service
Chacheongsao, Thailand - For the International Day of Families, May 15, a presentation on the “Family as the School of Love” was given to the parents in Plaeng Yao District and participants in Religious Youth Service project taking place in at the school. This was followed by various types of family games and awarding of scholarships to 10 students.
- Written by: Eugene Ahondjo, Secretary General, UPF-Cote d'Ivoire
Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire - The International Day of Families was commemorated in Agboville, a city 68 km from Abidjan, on May 15. Despite great political turmoil, it was decided to hold the ceremony outside of the capital.
- Written by: UPF - France
Paris, France - The International Day of Families was celebrated in the Maison des Associations de Solidarité in Paris on May 15. Mrs. Marie-Christine Odent related some of her experiences as marriage and family counselor, and Mr. Chansamone Voravong, president of FORIM, an international organization concerned with migration issues), spoke about the impact of migration on families.
- Written by: UPF - Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal - UPF-Nepal held a commemoration of the UN International Day of Families on May 15 on the theme, "The impact of migration on families around the world." Prof. Dr. Shreeram Prasad Upadhyaya, Executive Member of the UPF-Nepal Peace Council, read UN Secretary-General’s Message.
- Written by: Vitaliy Maksimov, Secretary General, UPF-Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - A presentation was given at a roundtable discussion on the “Role of the Family in the Peacemaking Process” in the Abkhazian parliament on May 14.
- Written by: Rev. Fongoh Innocent Ndasi, Secretary General, UPF- Cameroon
Douala, Cameroon - The International Day of Families observance took place on May 15 at the Hotel Lewat with an attendance of almost 70 people of various sectors of the society, including religious leaders, professors, journalists, and business people.