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: UPF - DR Congo
Kinshasa, DR Congo - A forum in commemoration of the International Day of Families took place on May 18 in Kinshasa. The provincial Minister of Gender and Family was the keynote speaker.
- Written by: UPF - Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica - UPF-Jamaica hosted a program at the UPF Lecture Hall in Kingston on May 19 in keeping with the United Nations Declaration of May 15 as the International Day of Families. The theme was "Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity."
- Written by: UPF - Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan - A conference related to the International Day of Families on May 25 was opened by a musical greeting of the People's Artist of Kazakhstan and Ambassador for Peace, Akaltyn.
- Written by: UPF - Albania
Tirana, Albania - A celebration of the International Day of Families was held in the Peace Embassy in Tirana on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Fourteen couples who have been married between 28 and 65 years were recognized in the celebration of the UN International Day of the Families, under the motto: “Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity,” which was organized by UPF-Argentina at the Peace Embassy on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands - UPF organized an observance of the International Day of Families in The Hague on May 11.
- Written by: UPF - Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine - Ukraine is famous for its family traditions, and therefore, family values and the International Day of Families were widely celebrated in Kiev, with UPF contributing to the educational program "School of Life" and planting trees at five orphanages.
- Written by: UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - UPF-Georgia organized a number of educational programs celebrating the International Day of Families, including a poster contest, a quiz, and a forum.
- Written by: UPF - Indonesia
Medan, Indonesia - The celebration of the International Day of Families held at the Islamic University of North Sumatra on May 15 was the first commemoration of a UN day organized by UPF on the island of Sumatra. Students and teachers alike appreciated Mr. David McLackland’s lively presentation on the theme “Preparing Youth for Marriage.”
- Written by: UPF - Lithuania
Panevezys, Lithuania - An International Day of Families program honoring 35 outstanding local families took place on May 15 at the Panevezys Art Gallery. UPF-Lithuania sponsored the program in conjunction with the Active Women Club of women politicians in the city, led by UPF Ambassador for Peace Mrs. Danute Krisciuniene. The title of the event was short and warm: “I Thank You.”
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - Dr. Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury delivered the keynote address at the Inaugural Convocation of the Global Women’s Peace Network–Taiwan on May 4. Dr. Chaudhury, who chairs the Special Study Expert Committee on Rape, Human Trafficking and Gender Violence of the Government of India, spoke on “Women’s Role in the Peace Building of the 21st Century - Eliminating Violence Against Women and Building up the Peace Network: Addressing from the Gang Rape Case in India.”
- Written by: UPF - Cote d'Ivoire
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire - A ceremony commemorating the International Day of Families took place at the Abidjan City Hall on May 15. The Secretary General of UPF-Cote d'Ivoire explained about the International Day of Families, introduced UPF's five principles of Ambassadors for Peace, and described the central role of the family in social integration.
- Written by: Christopher V. Davies
Christopher V. Davies of UPF-Netherlands attended an International Day of Families meeting at the European Parliament on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Observances of the International Day of Families 2013 took place throughout the Russian Federation.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated in the Kehra Gymnasium in Tallinn on May 15; 34 8th-grade students participated, together with three teachers. The lecture was on the topic "The Family as the School of Love."
- Written by: Dr. Robert Kittel, Photo-journalist
Kathmandu, Nepal - From new-born babies to the elderly, along with the whole spectrum of our human family—students, disabled, orphaned, and eminent leaders of civil society, all celebrated the UN International Day of Families in Nepal. Programs held in five cities may well have helped Nepalese rediscover their most cherished heritage: the intergenerational family.
- Written by: UPF - Brazil
Brasilia, Brazil - Senator Magno Malta from the State of Espírito Santo, President of the Parliamentary Front for the Defense of Life and the Family, organized a conference with the following theme: “The Challenges of the Post-Modern Society for Valuing Life and Empowering the Family,” at the Federal Senate on May 15, the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF - Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - Presentations about preparing for marriage and a concert with music on the theme of the family honored the UN International Day of Families in Chisinau.
- Written by: UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - For the fourth time, the UN International Day of Families was celebrated in Oslo, with a full auditorium at the Diakonhjemmet University College. The presentations and the discussions focused on the topic “What’s Best for the Child – A Search for a Good Framework for Children’s Development.”
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters observed the UN International Day of Families, May 15, 2013, with a variety of activities on the theme of "Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity."
- Written by: Joy
Tokyo, Japan - In commemoration of the United Nations’ International Day of Families, families participated in a volunteer clean-up program organized on April 29 organized by UPF-Japan and the Ambassadors for Peace South Tokyo Council.
- Written by: UPF - Sri Lanka
Negambo, Sri Lanka - A program on May 16 for students and staff in the Negambo Educational zone included lectures from religious leaders, a staff member of the UN office in Sri Lanka, and a staff member from the Education Department.
- Written by: UN Secretatry-General Ban Ki-moon
Families hold societies together, and intergenerational relationships extend this legacy over time. This year’s International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate connections among all members of the constellation that makes up a family. It is also an opportunity to reflect on how they are affected by social and economic trends – and what we can do to strengthen families in response. -UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [availale also in Spanish]
- Written by: UPF - UK
London, UK - UPF-UK commemorated the International Day of Families on May 16 at 43 Lancaster Gate, London. This year's UN International Family Day theme, "Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity" is very appropriate tor UPF's ideals of creating "one Family under God," which is based on development of good families serving the community.