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: Dr. Trevor Jones, Executive Director, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru - UPF-Peru, together with friends from the Women's Federation and Family Federation for World Peace celebrated the UN International Day of Families in Lima on May 18, 2014.
- Written by: UPF - Barbados
Bridgetown, Barbados - The Barbados National Peace Council commemorated the International Day of Families with a gathering at a Hindu temple, a seminar and a Sunday church service May 14-18, 2014.
- Written by: UFP - India
Chennai, India - An International Day of Families program took place at the YWCA in Chennai on May 15, 2014 with 80 people in attendance.
- Written by: UPF - Indonesia
Medan, Indonesia - UPF-Indonesia chose “The Family as a School of Love” as the topic for three celebrations of the International Day of Families May 13-16, 2014 in Medan, capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Written by: Emmanuel Tanui, Secretary General, UPF-Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya - The International Day of Families was observed at a program in in UPF's Peace House in Nairobi on May 17, 2014.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Couples who have been married between 25 and 61 years were recognized by UPF-Argentina during the May 15, 2014 celebration of the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters organized a variety of events commemorating the UN International Day of Families, May 15, 2014 in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe.
- Written by: Mr. Jacques Marion, President, UPF-France
Paris, France - The International Day of Families was observed at a meeting in Paris on May 10, 2014, dedicated to family and peace.
- Written by: Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, Secretary General, UPF-Nigeria
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria - Ambassadors for Peace commemorated the UN International Day of Families with a conference on "Families Matter on Achieving the Development Goals" on May 15, 2014.
- Written by: Svetlana Sorokina, UPF-Cambodia
Kanadal Province, Cambodia - Japanese women joined UPF-Cambodia in a service project at the Peaceful Children’s Home, an orphanage in rural Cambodia, on May 3, 2014, in observance of the International Day of Families.
- Written by: Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Director of Peace Education, UPF-Asia
Dhaka, Bangladesh - Speakers at May 3, 2014 forum in Dhaka on the role of "Marriage and Family in Creating World Peace" offered insights drawn from both sociology and nuclear physics.
- Written by: UPF - Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda - A seminar on the Role of the Family in Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity took place in Kigali in May 18, in commemoration of the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF - India
UPF-India organized celebrations of the UN International Day of Families in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in May 2013. Mr. Krishna Adhikari, Secretary General of UPF-India, gave talks on "The Family as the School of Love."
- Written by: UPF - Palau
Koror, Palau - For this year's International Day of Families program on May 29, UPF-Palau invited three partners to participate: the officers of the Ngerubesang Club from Melekeok state (the capital state), the Palau Canoe Club, and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, which coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan.
- Written by: UPF - New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand - Several very entertaining performances at the May 11 International Day of Families program in Auckland made it real celebration of the family. The entertainment complemented the insights by the speakers into the family and its importance. There was a warm atmosphere, and the speakers were easily able to make their points to the attentive crowd on this year's theme: Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity.
- Written by: UPF - St. Lucia
Castries, St. Lucia - UPF-St. Lucia celebrated the International Day of Families with a forum on May 25 featuring speakers on several topics.
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic -UPF-Czech Republic organized a conference on the occasion of the UN Day of Families on May 23 took place in the European House in Prague.
- Written by: UPF - Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands - An International Day of Families event took place at the Long Islands Hotel of Majuro on May 15 with the attendance of members of Parliament and government officials, local government officials, and others.
- Written by: UPF - Republic of Congo
Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo - The Governor of Pointe-Noire, Alexandre Honore Paka, attended a program on the International Day of Families, May 15. After the singing of the National Anthem, Rev. Annule Michel Ndolo, Secretary General of UPF-Republic of Congo, read UPF's message for the day, and Ms. Mabika, a representative of the UN, read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. New Ambassadors for Peace were appointed.
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogota, Colombia - UPF-Colombia held a program about the International Day of Families on May 25 at the Peace Embassy of Colombia with 45 people leaders and Ambassadors for Peace in attendance. The celebration of the International Day of Families was designed to strengthen family values and concluded with an exercise called the "Workshop of Forgiveness."
- Written by: UPF - Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia - At Yerevan state school No. 194, UPF-Armenia held a program named ”Healthy Family” on May 18 as a part of a celebration of the UN International Day of Families. Eleven families participated in the program.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Moscow, Russia - In cooperation with the Youth Commonwealth Department of Culture in Moscow, UPF-Moscow held several events in the framework of the UN International Day of Families in the week leading up to May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand - In commemoration of the United Nations’ International Day of Families, UPF-Thailand and the Family Federation for World Peace-Thailand held two seminars: in Bangkok May 6-8 and in Kalasin province May 10 and 11.
- Written by: UPF - Togo
Lome, Togo - The International Day of Families was commemorated on May 18 with a speech on the "Family as the School of Love and Peace," given by Rev. Henyon Kokou, national leader of the Family Federation for World Peace.