Medan, Indonesia - In March, UPF established a new chapter in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra Province. In this age of globalization and free flow of information through the internet and mass media, families are struggling to uphold their traditionally strong families ties. More and more, marriages end in divorce and disillusioned young people turn to short-lived relationships with the other sex instead of seeking committed marriage bonds. To address these urgent issues, the newly established UPF center focuses on youth leadership training programs for students inculcating the values of ‘pure love’ and ‘living for the sake of others’ as well as marriage rededication programs for couples to enhance the quality of love they experience in their marriage.
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UPF works together in collaboration with a variety of partners ranging from high schools and vocational schools to universities and religious institutions representing the various religious traditions and interfaith organizations of this nation. For example, Sisingamangaraja XII University in Medan co-hosted an international conference on “Strengthening Values and Love Relationships in the Family and Society” on April 27. The UPF presentations on “Universal Principles of Peace,” “Cause of Human Conflict & Its Consequences,” and “Resolution of Conflict & Interfaith Peace Blessing” were deeply appreciated by an audience of over 200 participants from various walks of life.
A celebration of the International Day of Families will take place on May 15 at the Islamic University of North Sumatra (UISU), the very first commemoration of a UN Day organized by UPF in this province. Mr. David McLackland will address students and teachers on the theme “Preparing Youth for Marriage.”