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)
- Written by: Elena Knyazeva, UPF-Moscow
Lyubertsy, Russia—UPF activists joined a group of 1,000 volunteers in a local environmental program.
- Written by: UPF-Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal—A virtual celebration of the UN International Day of Families 2021 organized by UPF-Nepal was attended by 132 people.
- Written by: UPF-Asia Pacific
Bangkok, Thailand—UPF-Asia Pacific commemorated the UN International Day of Families 2021 during the Opening Session of its 6th online Asia Pacific Leadership Conference.
- Written by: Dr. Oliver Davies, UPF-UK; coordinator for IAAP-UK
London, United Kingdom—Four guest speakers gave their insights into parenting and child development.
- Written by: UPF International
United States—The International Day of Families was commemorated by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs with a webinar on May 14, 2021, on “Families and New Technologies.”
- Written by: UPF-Brazil
Brazil—On May 15, 2021, UPF-Brazil held a meeting of Ambassadors of Peace to appoint new Ambassadors for Peace and to commemorate the 2021 UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: Franco Ravaglioli, secretary general, UPF-Italy
Rome, Italy—The future of the family was the theme of a webinar organized by UPF and an affiliated organization.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, chairman, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—UPF and two affiliated organizations held an international conference in honor of International Day of Families.
- Written by: Mykhailo Ilin, secretary general, UPF-Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine—UPF-Ukraine held an online program for young people with the title “The Necessity of Married Life.”
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina recognized six couples who have been married for 31–49 years in the context of the International Day of Families 2020.
- Written by: Mag. Elisabeth Cook, president, FFWPU-Austria
Vienna, Austria—Experts from Germany and Austria participated in an online conference to emphasize the importance of the family.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, secretary general, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—UPF dedicated the first of a series of online interviews to UN International Day of Families.
- 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.