AlbaniaArgentinaArmeniaBrazilBurkina FasoColombiaCongoCote d’IvoireCzech Rep.DR CongoEcuadorEstoniaGeorgiaGermanyIndiaIndonesiaJamaicaJapan

KazakhstanLithuaniaMalaysiaMarshall Isl.MoldovaNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPeruRussiaRwandaSri LankaSt. LuciaSurinameTaiwanThailandTogo

UKUkraine

Universal Peace Federation observances in 2013

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.

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

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

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

Yerevan, Armenia: A sports program for families

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

Bamfora, Burkina Faso: A seminar for families

Bogota, Colombia: A national gathering of women for peace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kingston, Jamaica: A forum for Ambassadors for Peace

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

Panevezys, Lithuania: Recognition of outstanding families

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

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

Majuro, Marshall Islands: A symposium at a hotel

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

Chisinau, Moldova: A program at the Construction College

Chisinau, Moldova: A program at the Polytechnic College

Chisinau, Moldova: A program at the Slavonic University

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

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

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

Nepalguni, Nepal: Donating blankets for newborn babies

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

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

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

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

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

Trujillo, Peru: Two International Day of Families programs

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

Moscow, Russia: Distributing leaflets with messages of goodwill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kigali, Rwanda: A forum featuring several speakers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kiev, Ukraine: Planting peach trees at an orphanage