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United Nations Relations
As an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Universal Peace Federation promotes interfaith understanding, sustainable development, strengthening of marriage and family, mediation of conflict, the empowerment of women and the revitalization of the UN. UPF supports the goals of the UN with programs on occasions such as:
- World Interfaith Harmony Week (first week of February)
- International Women's Day (March 8)
- International Day of Families (May 15)
- Global Day of Parents (June 1)
- International Day of Peace (September 21)
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Festival of Spiritual Music in Kondopoga, Russia
- Friday, February 4, 2011
Kondopoga, Russia - A Festival of Spiritual Music took place on February 4 supported by the municipal government of Kondopoga and the Consultative Council of Relations with National and Religious Associations. It was also an event in honor of the Interfaith Harmony Week proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.
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Interreligious Peace Football Tournament in Moscow
- Sunday, January 30, 2011
Moscow, Russia - A “Play Football Make Peace” youth tournament took place at the Moskvich Sports Palace on January 30 with teams representating different religions playing not only for prizes but also to build friendships across barriers of religion, culture, and nationality.
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A Vision in Siberia of Lasting Interreligious Harmony
- Sunday, February 6, 2011
Novosibirsk, Russia - A meeting on the theme of "Love of God and your neighbor as the foundation of world peace" took place in the center of Russia on February 6. The 40 participants included leaders and representatives of various NGOs, religions, traditions, and beliefs.
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Interfaith Prayer in the Urals Region
- Sunday, February 6, 2011
Yekaterinburg, Russia - In the comfortable hall of the Writers’ House in Yekaterinburg, representatives of different religions and spiritual groups met on February 6. This time it was a joint prayer for peace and mutual understanding in support of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
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Interfaith Harmony Week Celebrated in Slovakia
- Sunday, February 6, 2011
Nitra, Slovakia - On the occasion of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week established by UN to be observed the first week of February each year, UPF-Slovakia and the Old Catholic Church of Slovakia held a joint prayer and worship service in the Old Catholic Church in Nitra on February 6.
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Interfaith Harmony Week Celebrated in the Solomon Islands
- Friday, January 28, 2011
Honiara, Solomon Islands - UPF-Solomon Islands sponsored an interfaith forum to commemorate the UN's World Interfaith Harmony Week on January 28. Three guest speakers were invited from different faiths to share a brief introduction to their faith and their thoughts about interfaith harmony.
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Interfaith Harmony Week Celebrated in St. Lucia
- Sunday, February 6, 2011
Anse-la-Raye, St. Lucia - Six youth representatives of four different religious denominations met together to prepare for the February 6 meeting about Interfaith Harmony. They prepared the agenda, the program and the organization of the meeting.
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Interfaith Harmony Week Celebrated in Switzerland
- Sunday, January 23, 2011
Bienne, Switzerland - In commemoration of World Interfaith Harmony Week, a marriage renewal ceremony in Bienne on Jan. 23, 2011, highlighted the pivotal role of marriage in creating a culture of peace.
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Interfaith Cooperation for Peace in Taiwan
- Saturday, January 22, 2011
Taipei, Taiwan - In connection with the “World Interfaith Harmony Week,” UPF-Taiwan held a seminar entitled “Interfaith Cooperation for Peace: Theory and Practice” on January 22 featuring Christian and Buddhist speakers.
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Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week in DC
- Thursday, February 24, 2011
Washington, DC, USA - The UPF-DC Office organized an interfaith luncheon program under the theme of the “Interfaith Cooperation and Universal Peace” on February 24. The program was co-sponsored by The Washington Times Foundation and held in the Beech Room of The Washington Times building.
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Interfaith Harmony Week Commemorated in Paramaribo
- Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Paramaribo, Suriname - UPF-Suriname held a forum on the family in Paramaribo on Feb. 1, 2011 to launch World Interfaith Harmony Week.
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Interfaith Harmony Week Gathering in Kiev
- Thursday, January 27, 2011
Kiev, Ukraine - A meeting of Ambassadors for Peace related to the Week of Interfaith Harmony took place on January 27. The meeting was attended by 20 Ambassadors for Peace. Among the participants were members of grass-roots organizations and representatives of business and education spheres.
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UPF Chapters Promote World Interfaith Harmony Week
- Monday, February 21, 2011
Observances of the newly-established UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, the first week of February, were organized by UPF in 19 nations.
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UPF Statement on Families
- Thursday, May 15, 2014
The Universal Peace Federation affirms the value of the family as the core unit of society. The family has formed the basis for communities, societies and civilizations throughout the ages. Virtually all the world’s religions teach the sacred value of marriage and family. The family is the school of love. It is also the school of virtue, ethics and citizenship.
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International Day of Families
- Sunday, March 22, 2009
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 and peace.
For 2016, the UN chose the theme "Families, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Future." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "Families are on the frontlines of our global efforts to realize the bold and inclusive 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are particularly essential to achieving SDG3, in which all United Nations Member States committed to promoting healthy lives and wellbeing for all at all ages."
Programs may include:
- A seminar with presentations such as Family as the School of Love and Peace, Family Values and Peace, Benefits of Marriage, Promoting a Marriage-Friendly Culture, Marriage, My Spiritual Path
- Recognition of couples who have achieved a milestone in married life (such as 25 or 50 years)
- A forum on a topic of local or national concern
- An outing for families at a park or working together on a project to benefit the community.
Resources
United Nations Site on the International Day of Families
Fun Family Activities
Fact-finding challenge/treasure hunt
Other organizations dedicated to strengthening marriage and family
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UPF-Albania Korçë Observes International Day of Families
- Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Korçë, Albania—UPF co-sponsored a conference titled "Family, Between Values and Challenges."
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UPF-Peru Monthly Report of Events
- Friday, June 30, 2023
Peru—UPF-Peru organized various events through the month of June.
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UPF-UK Celebrates UN International Day of Families
- Saturday, May 20, 2023
Birmingham, United Kingdom—Different faiths, cultures, nationalities and ages were represented.
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UPF-Peru Celebrates the UN International Day of Families 2023
- Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru celebrated the UN International Day of Families on May 31, 2023, focusing on the theme “Demographic Trends and Families.”
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The UN NGO Committee on the Family Commemorates UN International Day of Families
- Tuesday, May 16, 2023
UPF International—The world just reached a record population height of eight billion and yet many countries are distressed with their extremely low fertility rates.
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South London Speakers Name Key Values for Family
- Saturday, May 20, 2023
London, United Kingdom—Nearly 50 participants commemorated International Day of Families.
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UPF-Argentina Honors 10 Couples during UN International Day of Families
- Monday, May 15, 2023
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina paid tribute to 10 couples married for 26 to 56 years during their 15th celebration of the UN International Day of Families.
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UPF-Norway Shows Family’s Effect on Society
- Monday, May 22, 2023
Oslo, Norway—UPF observed International Day of Families with a lecture on the benefits to society of healthy families.
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UPF-Uruguay Celebrates the UN International Day of Families 2023
- Saturday, May 20, 2023
Montevideo, Uruguay—UPF-Uruguay celebrated UN International Day of Families 2023 with the theme “Family as the Foundation of Society.”
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