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: Lynn Walsh, director, UPF Office of Marriage and Family Education
New York, United States—“Parents’ Role in Helping Their Children Thrive” was the theme of a program held at the United Nations to commemorate the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: Giuseppe Cali, president, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Italy
Rome, Italy—On the occasion of the UN International Day of Families, UPF-Italy held a conference in the Palazzo San Macuto of the Italian Parliament.
- Written by: UPF-Peru
Trujillo, Peru—The Trujillo chapter of UPF-Peru celebrated the UN International Day of Families by honoring couples who have been married for many years.
- Written by: Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, secretary general, UPF-Nigeria
Uyo, Nigeria—About 40 children of Ambassadors for Peace marched in a parade and sang "peace songs" to celebrate the 2017 International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Taiwan
New Taipei City, Taiwan—Ambassadors for Peace and members of UPF-Taiwan celebrated the UN International Day of Families and Mother’s Day on May 15.
- Written by: UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—More than 200 people attended an event UPF-Peru organized at the Congress of Peru in celebration of the UN International Day of Families 2017.
- Written by: Steinar Murud, secretary general, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—The UN International Day of Families was celebrated with a program on the topic “Family and Society—Our Families’ Situation in 2017.”
- Written by: Greg Stone, president, UPF-Australia
Sydney, Australia—The UN International Day of Families was commemorated by UPF-Australia at its bimonthly Ambassadors for Peace meeting.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Córdoba, Argentina—Four married couples were honored as part of the UPF-Argentina celebration of the International Day of Families 2016 in Córdoba city.
- Written by: UPF-St. Lucia
Castries, St. Lucia—“The Family and the Sustainable Future of St. Lucia” was the theme of a special forum UPF held in celebration of the UN International Day of Families 2016.
- Written by: UPF-Nepal
Jhapa, Nepal—International Day of Families 2016 was celebrated by UPF in seven provinces in Nepal.
- Written by: UPF-Fiji
Nausori, Fiji—Eight exemplary married couples were honored as part of the UPF-Fiji celebration of the U.N. International Day of Families 2016.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina celebrated the International Day of Families 2016 by recognizing couples who have been married for more than 25 years.
- Written by: UPF-USA
New York, United States—Hundreds of families across the United States celebrated the United Nations’ International Day of Families, held every year on May 15.
- Written by: UPF-Korea
Seoul, Korea—Members of the diplomatic community in Seoul attended an event organized by UPF-Korea to celebrate the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Japan
Tokyo, Japan—UPF-Japan and the South Tokyo Assembly of Ambassadors for Peace held their fourth annual ”Family Clean Rally 246” in observance of the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Albania
Tirana, Albania—About 200 participants, including the former president of Albania, attended an event at the UNESCO Hall of the National Historic Museum of Albania to celebrate International Day of Families 2016.
- Written by: Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, secretary general, UPF-Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria—UPF-Nigeria marked International Day of Families 2016 by holding a Family Leadership Summit to focus on strengthening marriages and families.
- Written by: Franco Ravaglioli, secretary general, UPF-Italy
Bergamo, Italy—The importance of the family to peacebuilding was the focus of the UPF celebration of International Day of Families 2016.
- Written by: Steinar Murud, secretary general, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—UPF-Norway marked International Day of Families with a program titled "From a Child’s Perspective – Good Environment for Children’s Development."
- Written by: Jesús A. Navarro, secretary-general, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela—To honor the International Day of Families 2016, UPF-Venezuela held an event for 40 participants at the Eurobuilding Hotel in Caracas.
- Written by: UPF-Albania
Tirana, Albania—Approximately 40 couples took part in an Interfaith Peace Blessing which was timed to coincide with the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF-Nicaragua
León, Nicaragua—Forty people attended the UPF celebration of the International Day of Families 2016 in Nicaragua.
- Written by: Janis Valters, vice president, UPF-Latvia
Riga, Latvia—UPF-Latvia held a program on “Successful Marriage Preparation” to celebrate both International Day of Families and Global Day of Parents.