This document lists locations where the Universal Peace Federation held events in 2013 commemorating the International Day of Families. Events included seminars, forums, concerts and other programs focused on strengthening families and honoring their important role in society. The events brought together people of all ages from various backgrounds and cultures to discuss topics like family values, social trends affecting families, and how to support families.

1. Universal Peace Federation observances in 2013
Albania
Argentina
Armenia
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Colombia
Congo
Cote d’Ivoire
Czech Rep.
DR Congo
Ecuador
Estonia
Georgia
Germany
India
Indonesia
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Lithuania
Malaysia
Marshall Isl.
Moldova
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Russia
Rwanda
Sri Lanka
St. Lucia
Suriname
Taiwan
Thailand
Togo
UK
Ukraine

2. The International Day of Families, May 15, is
celebrated at the United Nations headquarters
and around the world.
The Universal Peace Federation joins in
commemorating this day because it considers
the family as a microcosm of the global
community and because sustainable peace is
grounded in the family as the most intimate
social unit, the school of love.

3. Families hold societies together, and
intergenerational relationships extend this
legacy over time. This year’s International Day
of Families is an occasion to celebrate
connections among all members of the
constellation that makes up a family. It is also
an opportunity to reflect on how they are
affected by social and economic trends
– and what we can do to strengthen families in
response. -UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

4. Tirana, Albania: Old and young enjoying an evening of stimulating presentations and sharing

5. Buenos Aires, Argentina: A celebration honoring couples who have been married for many years

6. Yerevan, Armenia: A sports program for families

7. Brasilia, Brazil: A program at the Federal Senate on Valuing Life and Empowering Families

8. Bamfora, Burkina Faso: A seminar for families

9. Bogota, Colombia: A national gathering of women for peace

10. Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo: A UN representative reading the Secretary-General’s message

11. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire: New Ambassadors for Peace appointed at an Abidjan City Hall program

12. Kinshasa: DR Congo: Discussion during a seminar about the importance of the family

13. Prague, Czech Republic: A Conference on “The Role of the Family in Today’s Changing World”

14. Quito, Ecuador: A celebration in the Hall of the National Union of Journalists

15. Tallinn, Estonia: Lecturing to students on “The Family as the School of Love”

16. Tbilisi, Georgia: Posters and poetry about families at school #136

17. Stuttgart, Germany: A lecture followed by a lively discussion about the “Five Languages of Love”

18. West Bengal, India: A program on the family as the school of love

19. Madhya Pradesh, India: A program on the family as the school of love

20. Uttar Pradesh, India: A program on the family as the school of love

21. Medan, Indonesia: A program at the Islamic University of North Sumatra

22. Kingston, Jamaica: A forum for Ambassadors for Peace

23. Tokyo, Japan: Working together to clean up the environment in the Setagaya ward

24. Panevezys, Lithuania: Recognition of outstanding families

25. Almaty, Kazakhstan: A program of speeches and poems about families

26. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Honoring mothers at a “Happy, Healthy Family Symposium”

27. Majuro, Marshall Islands: A symposium at a hotel

28. Chisinau, Moldova: A concert in the City Hall on “Family Creates Values – Values Create Family”

29. Chisinau, Moldova: A program at the Construction College

30. Chisinau, Moldova: A program at the Polytechnic College

31. Chisinau, Moldova: A program at the Slavonic University

32. Kathmandu, Nepal: Serving a meal to orphans and children who are victims of the conflict

33. Biratnagar, Nepal: Honoring parents and grandparents by donating food for a festive meal

34. Chitwan, Nepal: Awarding prizes to student winners of a lecture contest about the family

35. Nepalguni, Nepal: Donating blankets for newborn babies

36. Pokhara, Nepal: A forum at Manakamana Temple's Shava Hall

37. The Hague, Netherlands: New Ambassadors for Peace appointed at the end of a program

38. Oslo, Norway: A forum on child development at the Diakonhjemmet University College

39. Auckland, New Zealand: A Tongan church choir singing during a program.

40. Lima, Peru: Speakers at a forum at the national Congress include a UN representative.

41. Trujillo, Peru: Two International Day of Families programs

42. Moscow, Russia: A forum with visiting Israelis on the theme “Goodness without Borders”

43. Moscow, Russia: Distributing leaflets with messages of goodwill

44. Khabarovsk, Russia: A program on family values for first graders at Gymnasium No. 8

45. Novosibirsk, Russia: Inter-regional conference on the topic: “Everything Begins with the Family”

46. Novosibirsk, Russia: Young musicians playing at a concert for veterans

47. Ryazan, Russia: A program featuring cultural performances by people from several nations

48. Ryazan, Russia: A presentation to girls at a detention center on the Family as the School of Love

49. St. Petersburg, Russia: Taking parents and children on a tour of the city’s historical sites

50. Vladivostok, Russia: NGO representatives sharing about their experiences working with families

51. Kigali, Rwanda: A forum featuring several speakers

52. Negambo, Sri Lanka: A forum at St. Peter’s College for students and Education Department staff

53. Castries, St. Lucia: A forum on issues facing families

54. Paramaribo, Suriname: A forum on the causes and elimination of domestic violence

55. Taipei, Taiwan: A program promoting international service opportunities for women

56. Bangkok, Thailand: A seminar on families attended by people from 16 provinces

57. Khok Mali, Thailand: A seminar for students and families in the Kalasin Province

58. Lome, Togo: New Ambassadors for Peace appointed at the conclusion of a program

59. London, UK: A program with speakers describing extended families in various cultures

60. Kiev, Ukraine: Planting peach trees at an orphanage