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 - Czech Republic
Czech Republic -UPF-Czech Republic organized two conferences on the International Day of Families: in Brno on May 15 and Prague on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Ghana
Accra, Ghana - UPF-Ghana and the Family Federation for World Peace held a forum on May 15 to commemorate the UN International Day of Families as well as a workshop on marriage and family. In addition, "Peace Family Awards" were presented to selected couples who have lived together for over 20 years without conflict as well as families who are outstanding examples of living for the sake of others.
- Written by: UPF - Niger
Niamey, Niger - UPF-Niger organized a forum on May 15 in commemoration of the International Day of Families. There were presentations about the family by a Muslim, a Christian, a sociologist, and a UPF representative, followed by a debate and questions and answers.
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - UPF-Ecuador organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families in the former Senate Hall of the National Assembly on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Peru
A forum celebrating the International Day of Families took place in the Peruvian Congress on May 25. Congressman Dr. Yonhy Lescano co-sponsored the program along with UPF-Peru. On May 15, an International Day of Families program took place in Trujillo.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
UPF-Russia organized a variety of programs in 11 cities throughout the federation on the International Day of Families, including forums, round-table discussions, artistic and cultural activities, visits to veterans, and a beauty pageant.
- Written by: UPF - Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands - The conference hall of the Marshall Islands Resort Hotel in Majuro was the venue for an International Day of Families program on May 17.
- Written by: UPF - Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua - An afternoon seminar on "The Centrality of the Family for Peace" took place on May 15 at the Real intercontinental Metrocenter in Managua.
- Written by: UPF - St. Lucia
Marisule, St. Lucia - The St. Lucia Chapter of UPF celebrated the UN International Day of Families with a one-day workshop on May 19 in Marisule, Gros-Islet. Organized jointly by UPF and the National Youth Council, the activity brought together a mix of youth leaders and more mature Ambassadors for Peace to discuss the theme “Better Families for Stronger Communities.” Forty participants attended the event.
- Written by: UPF - Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan - UPF-Kazakhstan organized a one-day seminar in commemoration of the International Day of Families in Almaty on May 12 on the theme "The Family as a School of Love and Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia - UPF-Armenia organized International Day of Families programs at the Yerevan State School No. 194 on May 14 and 15.
- Written by: UPF - Canada
Toronto, Canada - UPF-Canada held a joint conference with the Women's Federation for World Peace in Toronto on June 9 on Promoting Strong Family Values as a Foundation for a Peaceful Nation in support of the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF International
New York, USA - The UN Focal Point on the family invites feedback on preparations for the observance of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2014.
- Written by: Fritz Piepenburg, UPF-Germany
Frankfurt, Germany - A commemoration of the International Day of Families in Frankfurt on May 15 had the motto “Ensuring Work Family Balance.” Following a musical introduction by the singer Margaret Staudinger, Thea Kuenzig explained that the International Day of Families highlights the significance of the family for society at large.
- Written by: UPF - Germany
Stuttgart, Germany - A forum on "The Significant Role of the Family for the Individual and Society" took place on May 12 in Stuttgart.
- Written by: UPF International
New York, USA - UPF chapters organized a variety of celebrations of the International Day of Families, May 15, 2011. The theme chosen by the United Nations was "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion."
- Written by: kito
New York, USA - The Permanent Missions to the UN of Angola, Iraq, Nigeria, Qatar, and Tunisia, and the NGO Committee on the Family, in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation, co-sponsored a program on “Addressing Poverty by Strengthening Families” at the Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, New York on May 16. The program was directed by Mrs. Genie Kagawa, Deputy Director of the UPF Office of UN and International Relations. [See report.]
Download: PowerPoint Report at sideshare, Program Booklet
- Written by: UPF - Slovakia
Bratislava, Slovakia - On the occasion of the UN International Day of Families, the Slovak chapters of the Universal Peace Federation and the Women's Federation for World Peace organized an event in the Zichy Palace located in the old town of Bratislava.
- Written by: Nancy Bulow, UPF-Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC, USA - The UN International Day of Families was commemorated at The Washington Times’ Beech Room in the District of Columbia on June 17. Diplomats, media representatives, community activists, and NGO leaders made up the one hundred guests. The six speakers represented a wide spectrum of thinkers dedicated to supporting and strengthening families worldwide.
- Written by: UPF - Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda - UPF-Rwanda, together with other partners, joined the rest of the world in marking the UN International Day of Families with a June 5 event in Kigali on the theme "The Family, a Building Block for World Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay - Awards were presented to couples who have been married 25 years or more at a May 17 ceremony at the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel.
- Written by: UPF - Ireland
Dublin, Ireland - UPF-Ireland arranged for a celebration of the United Nations International Day of Families at the Lantern Centre in Dublin on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated in Chisinau under the slogan “The Traditional Family Guarantees Future Prosperity” in a variety of events from May 9 to 14. NGOs drew the attention of the community to the challenges facing the traditional family and ways to address them.
- Written by: UPF - Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan - A celebration in support of the UN International Day of Families took place in the city of Almaty on May 22 at the Peace Embassy of the Kazakhstan Republic.