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 - Barbados
Bridgetown, Barbados - The Barbados National Peace Council (UPF-Barbados) hosted an International Day of Families celebration with the theme "The impact of migration on families around the world" on May 15.
- Written by: UPF - Ukraine
- Written by: UPF - Russia
International Day of Families observances throughout Russia featured sports events, a festival, a character and beauty pageant, forums, classroom lessons, and role-playing games.
- Written by: UPF - Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone - The UN International Day of Families was celebrated in the Hall of the National School of Nursing in Freetown on May 15.
- Written by: UPF-Ireland
Dublin, Ireland - A symposium at the Lantern Interfaith Centre in central Dublin on May 18 addressed the theme of this year's UN International Day of Families: The Impact of Migration on Families around the World.
- Written by: Sister Kate Holmstrom, Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre, UK
Milton Keynes, UK - An event focusing on Families and Migration gathered about 35 people at the Quaker Centre, Milton Keynes, on May 15, observing UN International Day of Families 2010.
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - To popularize the International Day of Families, promote good family relationships, and become closer to the natural environment, UPF-Taiwan organized an outing on May 15 to the Flying Ox's Pasture resort.
- Written by: John Gehring, Religious Youth Service
Chacheongsao, Thailand - For the International Day of Families, May 15, a presentation on the “Family as the School of Love” was given to the parents in Plaeng Yao District and participants in Religious Youth Service project taking place in at the school. This was followed by various types of family games and awarding of scholarships to 10 students.
- Written by: Eugene Ahondjo, Secretary General, UPF-Cote d'Ivoire
Agboville, Côte d’Ivoire - The International Day of Families was commemorated in Agboville, a city 68 km from Abidjan, on May 15. Despite great political turmoil, it was decided to hold the ceremony outside of the capital.
- Written by: UPF - France
Paris, France - The International Day of Families was celebrated in the Maison des Associations de Solidarité in Paris on May 15. Mrs. Marie-Christine Odent related some of her experiences as marriage and family counselor, and Mr. Chansamone Voravong, president of FORIM, an international organization concerned with migration issues), spoke about the impact of migration on families.
- Written by: UPF - Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal - UPF-Nepal held a commemoration of the UN International Day of Families on May 15 on the theme, "The impact of migration on families around the world." Prof. Dr. Shreeram Prasad Upadhyaya, Executive Member of the UPF-Nepal Peace Council, read UN Secretary-General’s Message.
- Written by: Vitaliy Maksimov, Secretary General, UPF-Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - A presentation was given at a roundtable discussion on the “Role of the Family in the Peacemaking Process” in the Abkhazian parliament on May 14.
- Written by: Rev. Fongoh Innocent Ndasi, Secretary General, UPF- Cameroon
Douala, Cameroon - The International Day of Families observance took place on May 15 at the Hotel Lewat with an attendance of almost 70 people of various sectors of the society, including religious leaders, professors, journalists, and business people.
- Written by: Miguel Werner, Secretary General, UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - "Family and Social Peace Leading up to the Bicentennial" was the theme of the International Day of Families May 13 at the Juan Jesus Blasnik Auditorium in Buenos Aires.
- Written by: Shigenari Kato, Secretary General, UPF Peace Diplomats Forum
Tokyo, Japan - There are now more than two million foreign residents in Japan, and the number is rising rapidly, especially in Tokyo where as many as one in ten couples are international couples. Japan had thought of herself as a strictly homogeneous nation for a long time but is now facing the challenge of coexisting with migrants.
- Written by: UPF - Latvia
Riga, Latvia - On May 13, a conference was held at the Institute of Transport and Communication in Riga, on the theme of “Future of Family, Future of the Nation.” Altogether 70 people participated, including students, professors and Ambassadors for Peace.
- Written by: Jesus Navarro, Secretary General, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - UPF-Venezuela organized a celebration of the International Day of Families at the Banco del Libro in Altamira in Caracas on May 15, 2010. This commemoration was part of a workshop titled "New Incorruptible Leadership," which emphasized the family as a school of universal values and good character for future leaders of the world of peace.
- Written by: Remy Taupier, UPF-St. Lucia
Castries, St. Lucia - I had the opportunity to speak on May 15 to speak about the International Day of Families on the DBS Television Evening News. The follow are excerpts of that message:
- Written by: Hiromi Mishima, UPF-Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - The Grand Hall of the Quito Chamber of Commerce was the setting for the International Day of Families celebration on May 15.
- Written by: Norullah Nawaey, Youth Ambassador for Peace, Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan - UPF celebrated the International Day of Families in Kabul on May 14 by reaching out to ten poor families in one of the many slums of the city. The purpose was to spread the culture of celebrating such important day and articulate the central role of the family in establishing a peaceful and harmonious society.
- Written by: UPF - Israel
Jerusalem, Israel - On May 15, Ambassadors for Peace along with their families gathered at the beautiful Bell Gardens in Jerusalem. Among the participants were a city councilor, two ministerial advisers, and several professors and educators.
- Written by: Hildegard Piepenburg, UPF-Germany
Stuttgart, Germany - UPF-Germany hosted a celebration of the International Day of Families in Stuttgart on May 15. Hubert Arnoldi, the UPF representative in Stuttgart, welcomed everyone and introduced the program of the day. Karl-Christian Hausmann, Chair of UPF-Germany, spoke on "The Role of the Family as a Bridge between Cultures." This was followed by three musical presentations of international themes, demonstrating that music can be a bridge between hearts.
- Written by: Chihiro Midorikawa, UPF-Solomon Islands
Honiara, Solomon Islands - UPF-Solomon Islands sponsored a symposium to commemorate the annual UN International Day of Families on May 15 at the Quality Inn Hotel in the heart of the capital city of Honiara, Solomon Islands.
- Written by: T. Yoshizumi, UPF-Finland
Helsinki, Finland - UPF-Finland held a conference at the Parliament in connection with the UN International Day of Families on May 12. The chairman of the Helsinki City Council spoke in support of strengthening the family, since the well being of the family correlates with the well being of the city.