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 - India
New Delhi, Gangtok, and Lucknow, India - UPF-India organized four events in commemoration of the International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF - Canada
Montreal, Canada - The International Day of Families forum at Hotel Ruby Foos in Montreal on May 16 included a talk given by Ambassador for Peace John Linden on the challenges of intercultural and inter-racial marriage.
- Written by: UPF - Cameroon
The International Day of Families was commemorated at three seminars organized by UPF-Cameroon: in the West region (Bafoussam on May 14), far north (Kousseri on May 15), and Central region (Yaoundé on May 15) with a total of 167 participants including government officials, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, traditional rulers, journalists, university students, and leaders of civil society.
- Written by: UPF - Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka - The UN International Day of Families was commemorated on May 18 at the Auditorium of the Department of Education of the Western Province of SriLanka.
- Written by: UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - UPF-Georgia observed the International Day of Families with programs at a school for mentally handicapped children on May 13 and the Women's Information Center on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal - Interactive forums, peace and family educational programs, and distribution of scholarship grants to poor and less privileged students were features of the UN International Day of Families programs throughout Nepal between May 5 and 14. Nationwide, around 1400 people participated in events in 15 cities.
- Written by: UPF - Solomon Islands
Honiara, Solomon Islands - UPF-Solomon Islands organized a special program to commemorate the UN International Day of Families at the Rock Havens Inn Hotel on May 19.
- Written by: UPF - Lithuania
Panevezys, Lithuania - In cooperation with the “Atjauta” (Compassion), an organization in Panevezys that works with at-risk children, UPF-Lithuania organized a celebration of the International Day of Families on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Belarus
Minsk, Belarus - In preparation for the International Day of Families, UPF-Belarus initiated a number of projects on May 5 to strengthen “Relationships among the generations.” Volunteers helped veterans with housework and listened to informative stories about their life experience during World War II.
- Written by: UPF - Cambodia
Chork, Cambodia - After attending a family seminar in the capital last November, the father of a young Ambassador for Peace invited UPF-Cambodia to hold a family seminar for the people in his village. The May 9 program focused on strengthening the unity between husband and wife and between families and communities, to help ensure work-family balance, the theme of this year's UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF - Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay - UPF-Uruguay organized a luncheon program in commemoration of the International Day of Families on June 10.
- Written by: Hod Ben Zvi, Senior Advisor, UPF-Israel
Daliat El Carmel, Israel - Honoring the UN's 2012 International Day of Families, some 30 community leaders gathered in the Druze village of Daliat El Carmel on May 12. The village is located on the magnificent Mount Carmel near Israel's northern coast, amongst lush green olive orchards.
- Written by: UPF - San Marino
San Marino - An International Day of Families program was organized by UPF-San Marino on May 12 in partnership with the San Marino Cultural Academy Le Tre Castella and the University for Peace headquartered in Ancona, Italy.
- Written by: UPF - Gabon
Libreville, Gabon - UPF-Gabon organized an International Day of Families program at the Sylvia BONGO ONDIMBA Foundation Center on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - Around 50 participants attended the UN International Day of Families on May 10 in Oslo. The event was organized at Diakonhjemmet University College with the theme "The Role of the Family for Human Development and a Healthy Society."
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogota, Colombia - UPF-Colombia organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families on May 20.
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - UPF-Taiwan observed the International Day of Families with a forum on May 6 on the theme of "The Challenges of Passing on Our Faith to our Children."
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria celebrated the International Day of Families with a forum on the theme of Ensuring Work Family Balance at the UPF headquarters on May 15. Dr. Walter Baar, from the Institute for Trends Research, spoke on Family and the World of Work: Successful European Models.
- Written by: UPF - Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia - A forum on "Developing a Balanced Partnership between Husband and Wife" took place on May 13 at the UPF Peace Center in Tomang, Jakarta. On May 19, a forum on "Family Values" took place at the KHBP Kebayoran Baru in Jakarta.
- Written by: UPF - Brazil
Sao Paulo, Brazil - The International Day of Families was observed on May 15 with a program in the Sao Paulo City Hall. A panel of speakers from a variety of religions and NGOs talked about the importance of family values in preventing social problems and building a better world.
- Written by: UPF - Benin
Cotonou, Benin - A commemoration of the International Day of Families, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, and Africa Day took place on May 18 in the Foreign Affairs banquet hall. The program emphasized strengthening marriage and family as a way to promote peace, security, and development.
- Written by: UPF - Mauritius
Reduit, Mauritius - A Family Fun Sports Day took place on May 19 for the 160 sponsored children and their guardians sponsored by the Women's Federation for World Peace in Mauritius. There were track and field events as well as value-based games at the Maryse Justin Stadium in Reduit in which whole families could participate.
- Written by: UPF - Netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands - UPF-Netherlands organized a commemoration of the UN International Day of Families on May 19 at Christus Triomfatorkerk in The Hague. Musicians Carlos Figueroa and Giancarlo Dragonetti performed.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - UPF-Argentina celebrated the International Day of Families on May 15 with a recognition of 17 couples who have been married more than 25 years.