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 - Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia - The International Day of Families was celebrated in Bogotá on May 22 with a presentation on the theme of "The Family as the School of Love."
- Written by: Anila Haziraj, UPF - Korça
Korça, Albania - UPF-Korça and Ambassadors for Peace organized a project to raise awareness of the citizens and different institutions about the importance and value of the family on May 16.
- Written by: UPF - Senegal
Dakar, Senegal - UPF-Senegal held an outdoor conference on the International Day of Families on the theme of "The Health of the Family" in Dakar on May 16.
- Written by: Jesus Navarro, Secretary General, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - About 130 attendees packed the main hall of the Torre Credicard in Chacaíto, Caracas, for a celebration of the International Day of Families on May 15. Political, religious, and social leaders as well as families and youth enjoyed the program sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation and Ms. Melba Sanchez, who provided the room and refreshments for the event.
- Written by: UPF - Philippines
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines - UPF-Mindanao supported the worldwide observance of the International Day of Families on May 15 by celebrating with a special family gathering at Barangay Nazareth Plaza, Cagayan de Oro City.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, Deputy Director, UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - Five Permanent Missions to the UN and the NGO Committee on the Family joined UPF in presenting a program on “Addressing Poverty by Strengthening Families” at the Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN on May 16, 2011.
- Written by: UPF - Congo
Brazzaville, Congo - On Sunday, May 15, in the Conference Room of the Phoenix Hotel in Brazzaville, 80 people including children, Ambassadors for Peace, and journalists attended the celebration of International Day of Families organized by UPF-Congo.
- Written by: UPF - Latvia
Riga, Latvia - UPF-Latvia organized a commemoration of the International Day of Families in Riga on May 15.
- Written by: Djimadoum Fabrice, UPF-Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia - UPF-Zambia observed the UN International Day of Families on May 14 in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. The event took place in the hall of the Peace Embassy Building. The celebration gathered about 35 people from different fields: Ambassadors for Peace, teachers, students, clergymen, business people, couples, and members of UPF-Zambia.
- Written by: UPF - India
Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh, India - The Sikkim State Chapter of UPF-India organized a program in a government secondary school hall in Tharpu, West District on May 13 and the Uttar Pradesh State Cahpter organized a program in the District Office Conference Hall on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Japan
Tokyo, Japan - UPF-Japan organized a commemorative event for the International Day of Families on May 14 in Tokyo. The event was supported by the Association for the Promotion of True Families, and more than 50 participants including several international couples and families living in Japan attended.
- Written by: UPF - Australia
Victoria, Australia - UPF-Australia hosted a family evening on June 2 at the City Hall in Victoria.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria - Following the post-election violence which erupted in some northern states of Nigeria leading to loss of lives and property, bringing much pain and agony to many families, the Lagos State chapter of UPF organized a conference to commemorate the International Day of Families. The event took place on May 12 at the Lagos Airport Hotel-Ikeja.
- Written by: Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Director of Education, UPF-Asia; Photo-journalist, Segye-Ilbo
Saptari, Nepal - UPF-Nepal organized an International Day of Families celebration at a school in Saptari on May 16. A special feature of the event was awarding scholarships to deserving students.
- Written by: UPF - Israel
Daliet El-Carmel, Israel - Twenty-five Ambassadors for Peace as well three former presidents of Women's Federation for World Peace-Israel and their family members gathered on May 14 at the village of Daliet El-Carmel for the annual celebration of the UN International Day of Families.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia - UPF-Estonia held an event on the occasion of the UN International Day of Families in the Peace Embassy in Tallinn on May 15. In total 35 people participated, including guests and Ambassadors for Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Cameroon
Bafoussam, Douala, Kousseri, and Yaoundé, Cameroon - UPF–Cameroon celebrated the UN International Day of Families in four regions of the nation with a total attendance of 225 participants. Among the participants in all these conferences there were government delegates, MPs, journalists, academicians, and leaders of NGOs and civil society.
- Written by: UPF - Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh - The United Nations Information Centre in Dhaka, the Universal Peace Federation, and the Women’s Federation for World Peace jointly organized a seminar on the International Day of Families titled “Family Crisis, Internal and External.” The seminar was attended by about 70 people: religious leaders, educators, social workers, and student leaders. It was held on May 3 at the Dhaka Business & Professional Women’s Club.
- Written by: UPF - Italy
Bergamo and Milan, Italy - International Day of Families events are scheduled for Milan on May 15 and Bergamo on May 20 and 21.
- Written by: UPF - New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand - A gathering of over 100 people celebrated the UN International Day of Families with musical performances, sacred readings, and fellowship at the Jubilee Hall in Parnell, Auckland, on May 15.
- Written by: Trevor Jones, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru - Families in Lima celebrated the UN Day of Families on May 14 with speeches, games, and music, closing the day by sharing a meal together.
- Written by: UPF - Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland - The Chapel of the World Council of Churches in Geneva was filled to overflowing with an exciting intergenerational, international, and interreligious mix to explore the theme "A New Paradigm for Global Family in a Culture of Peace" on May 13. It was wonderful to see young people in their late teens and early twenties, some parents themselves with young children of their own, and older couples filled with maturity and wisdom accrued through parenting, grandparenting, and a lifelong practice of spiritual principles all gathered in this international place of worship to explore the importance of family for peace.
- Written by: UPF - Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia - An International Day of Families observance on May 14 at the Prestigious Middle School (No 194) featured a speech, dances and other activities. On May 15, speakers at a Family Values Seminar discussed the connectedness between spiritual values and strong families and between religion and personal development.
- Written by: UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - UPF-Georgia organized several events between May 13 and May 18 in commemoration of the International Day of Families.