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-Australia
Melbourne, Australia—In commemoration of the UN International Day of Families 2020, UPF-Melbourne held a webinar on “Alleviation of Poverty vs. Elevation of Human Potential.”
- Written by: Dr. Juraj Lajda, president, UPF-Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic—UPF marked International Day of Families 2020 with a webinar attended by 40 participants.
- Written by: Sérgio Vieira, UPF-Portugal
Odivelas, Portugal—The 2019 UN International Day of Families was celebrated with a conference and a Peace Blessing ceremony.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina and other organizations celebrated the UN International Day of Families by recognizing 30 couples who have been married between 25 and 60 years.
- Written by: UPF-Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand—UPF commemorated the International Day of Families in Thailand with a conference on family values and the re-launching of the national chapter of the IAPD.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, secretary general, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—A survey conducted by UPF found that Muscovites’ awareness of the UN-designated day is growing.
- Written by: Peter Haider, president, UPF-Austria
Vienna, Austria—Fifty guests attended a conference titled “Family as the Basis of a Sustainable Future,” held to commemorate International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Bergamo
Almè, Italy—"Family - Education - Wellness” was the theme of the International Day of Families commemoration held in a small town outside Bergamo.
- Written by: Dr. Juraj Lajda, president of UPF of the Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic—UPF held a conference examining “Family and the Media” and “Why We Need the Family.”
- Written by: Bilbil Zharri, UPF-Albania
Tirana, Albania—About 120 persons attended a UPF celebration of International Day of Families held in the National History Museum.
- Written by: Heiner Handschin, UPF-Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland—UPF co-sponsored a conference on interfaith cooperation and the family, held at the World Council of Churches.
- Written by: UPF-Japan
Tokyo, Japan—To commemorate the International Day of Families 2019, UPF-Japan, in partnership with a local NGO, organized a clean-up project in Tokyo.
- Written by: UPF-New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand—UPF New Zealand brought together 80 participants to honor the importance of families.
- Written by: Steinar Murud, secretary general, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—Speakers emphasized that because the family is sacred, the day that commemorates families should be honored.
- Written by: Lynn Walsh, director, UPF Office of the Family
New York, United States—A large audience gathered at the UN headquarters to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina celebrated the International Day of Families in San Clemente and Haedo, recognizing couples who have been married for 25 years or more.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina commemorated the International Day of Families 2018 by honoring ten couples with longstanding marriages.
- Written by: UPF-New Zealand
Aukland, New Zealand—Diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds represented at UPF-New Zealand’s commemoration of UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Japan
Tokyo, Japan—Every year families work together to clean up the streets in honor of International Day of Families.
- Written by: Nobuhiro Igarashi, UPF-Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark—Approximately 200 people attended a UPF celebration of UN International Day of Families 2018, held at UN City.
- Written by: Steinar Murud, secretary general, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—UPF-Norway held a program for UN International Day of Families which addressed the challenges that families face today.
- Written by: Hubert Arnoldi, UPF-Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany—“Family and Inclusive Societies” was the theme of a celebration of UN International Day of Families 2018.
- Written by: UPF-Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands—UPF co-sponsored a combined celebration of the 2018 UN International Day of Families and Africa Day.
- Written by: Hubert Arnoldi, secretary general, UPF-Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany—The 2017 UN International Day of Families was celebrated by conducting an Interfaith Peace Blessing ceremony.