Celebrations of the United Nations Day of Families organized by Universal Peace Federation chapters, May 15, 2011 The Universal Peace Federation affirms the value of the family as the core unit of society. The family has formed the basis for communities, societies and civilizations throughout the ages. Virtually all the world’s religions teach the sacred value of marriage and family. The family is the school of love. It is also the school of virtue, ethics and citizenship. The cohesion and stability of the family are prerequisites for a healthy and stable society. Conversely, the breakdown of the family contributes to a wide range of social problems. By strengthening the family, we can build a stronger base of social capital that will enhance the overall quality of life for everyone. The natural family is grounded in marriage, the cornerstone of the family. Children benefit from having loving parents, a mother and father, who are committed to the well-being of their sons and daughters. There is no greater joy and no greater responsibility than that of raising boys and girls to become mature, socially-engaged and successful men and women. This is the role and responsibility of parents and grandparents. Traditional marriage and family are being challenged in a variety of ways at this time in history, by poverty, migration, displacement, urbanization, conflict, disease, etc. In addition, some question the value of traditional marriage and family. Others seek to redefine them. Despite these challenges, men and women the world over still aspire to build strong, loving, lasting marriages and, as parents, to raise children who prosper and flourish.

1. “Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion” Events organized by Universal Peace Federation chapters Argentina Armenia Austria Bangladesh Benin Cameroon Canada Colombia Congo Croatia Ecuador Estonia Gabon Georgia Ghana India Indonesia Ireland Israel Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Malaysia Moldova Nepal New Zealand Nigeria Peru Philippines Russia Rwanda San Marino Senegal Slovakia Solomon Islands Spain Switzerland Taiwan Thailand United States Uruguay Venezuela Zambia

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Recognizing couples who have been married more than 25 years

3. Yerevan, Armenia: Games on family themes at School #194

4. Vienna, Austria: A forum speaker describing family traditions in China

5. Dhaka, Bangladesh: A former Minister of Women’s and Children’s Affairs speaking on internal and external crises that confront families

6. Cotonou, Benin: The International Day of Families observance was under the patronage of the Ministry of the Family and National Solidarity.

7. Bafoussam, Douala, Kousseri, and Yaoundé, Cameroon: Promoting character education and altruism as solutions to poverty in families

8. Montreal, Canada: Expounding on the process of promoting peace and understanding: dialogue, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation

9. Bogotá, Colombia: Promoting the family as the school of love andmeans of transmitting education in universal values

10. Brazzaville, Congo: UPF organized the only Day of Families event in the Congo and gave certificates to couples who have been married 20 years.

11. Zagreb, Croatia: A forum on the challenges facing families and society

12. Quito, Ecuador: A program in the hall of the Association of Ecuadorian Municipalities

13. Tallinn, Estonia: Young children enjoying each other’s company at a gathering of families at the Peace Embassy

14. Libreville, Gabon: A discussion about how the loss of traditional values and the breakdown of the family have contributed to poverty

15. Tbilisi, Georgia: A lecture on “The Family as the School of Love” at School #136

16. Accra, Ghana: 15 couples received the Peace Family Award.

17. Sikkim, India: A presentation on family values ata government secondary school in Tharpu, West District

18. Jakarta, Indonesia: A program on “Addressing Poverty by StrengtheningFamilies”

19. Dublin, Ireland: Representatives from various communities discussed ways to address challenges faced by families in the economic downturn.

20. Daliet El-Carmel, Israel: Ambassadors for Peace and women leaderssharing stories at the home of Druze Sheik Ali Birani

21. Tokyo, Japan: A campaign for deepening family bonds was begun after the tsunami; international couples talked about building unity.

22. Almaty, Kazakhstan: The Day of Families celebration featured music, dance, poetry, art, and children’s games.

23. Riga, Latvia: Participants in a Day of Families gathering discuss ways to reach out to immigrant families in Riga.

24. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Games, competitions and speeches for families at the Taman Bukit Jalil Recreation Center

25. Saptari, Nepal: Scholarships awarded to needy students at the Shree Raj Devi ThakoDevviJogendraBhagat Secondary School

26. Chisinau, Moldova: Several seminars and conferences promotedthe well-being of traditional families.

27. Auckland, New Zealand: Music, sacred readings, and fellowship at theJubilee Hall in Parnell

28. Lagos, Nigeria: Newly-appointed Ambassadors for Peace

29. Lima, Peru: Three generations of families enjoying a day of speeches, games, music, and food

30. Cagayan de Oro, Philippines: A social worker talking aboutthe significance of a healthy family as a school of love

31. Moscow, Russia: Women from different nationalities sharing secrets of a happy family life and presenting cultural entertainment

32. Nizhny Novgorod, Russia: Activities in a park promoting family values

33. Novosibirsk, Russia: A forum on family values followed by children’s musical performances and collecting clothing for the poor

34. Ryazan, Russia: A Day of Families concert featuring a variety of performers and instruments

35. Yekaterinburg, Russia: Parents and children cleaning up a park together

36. Kigali, Rwanda: The celebration featured presentations on “The Family: A Building Block for World Peace”

37. San Marino: Telling stories about the importance of the family in variouscultures and enjoying musical entertainment

38. Dakar, Senegal: A conference on “The Health of the Family” isfeatured on the news media.

39. Bratislava, Slovakia – A forum in the Zichy Palace addressed the importance of the family and practical ways to help families in need.

40. Honiara, Solomon Islands: International couples talking about how they overcome challenges; families playing games together

41. Madrid, Spain: An afternoon of music and dancing raised funds for suffering children in Afghanistan.

42. Geneva, Switzerland: Exploring “A New Paradigm for Global Family in a Culture of Peace” at the World Council of Churches headquarters

43. Taipei, Taiwan: Ambassadors for Peace discussing care for AIDS orphans and education programs to help prevent the spread of AIDS

44. Bangkok, Thailand: Representatives of government agencies servingfamilies discussing strategies for poverty reduction

45. New York, USA: Five permanent missions to the UN sponsored a forum on grassroots achievements in eliminating poverty at the family level.

46. Montevideo, Uruguay: Recognition of couples who have been married 25 years or more

47. Caracas, Venezuela – Honoring couples who have been married morethan 20 years with a Medal of Peace in the Family

48. Lusaka, Zambia: A representative of the UN Information Centredescribing some of the UN’s partnerships with civil society