Cyberstreet
Contributions of Civil Society Organisations to the Well-Being of Families
Universal Peace Federation
Adress:
866 UN Plaza, suite 529
New York,NY 10017
Contact person:
Tageldin Hamad (director)
Contact e-mail:
unoffice@upf.org
Telephone:
001 (212) 588-1802
Telefax:
914-332-1582
Homepage:
upf.org
Content:
1. Yearly and Worldwide International Year of the Family Observances
Every year the Universal Peace Federation promotes worldwide commemoration of the IYF because it considers the family as a microcosm of the global community and believes sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love.
The main objective of these activities is to promote and strengthen the family as societies\' most essential building block. As the activities are coordinated by local UPF chapters in 154 nations, the type of event and the target audience cover a broad range and include every category on the list. Many events involve heads of state, elected officials, religious leaders, academics, researchers, social workers, counselors, family educators, and other NGO organizations. These events include academic and professional symposiums, inter-religious panels, service projects, training workshops on family strengthening or educating youth about healthy relationships. Some of these events have a grass roots appeal and involve families and neighborhoods in service projects (such as food donations, clean-up projects or programs for orphans), family picnics and public outings with speeches, music and dancing at local parks, award ceremonies for married couples and families or focused educat!
ional projects such as teaching parenting skills, marriage enrichment, character development or abstinence education for youth.
The Universal Peace Federation International provides some partial funding for some these projects but most of the local chapters fund their own projects.
In 2009 the Universal Peace Federation organized over 60 celebrations of the United Nations Day of Families in 34 nations, building on the theme “Creating a World of Peace, One Family at a Time.” The final event of the two-week observation took place May 18 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York where more than 400 UN diplomats, Ambassadors, NGO representatives, and faith leaders gathered to celebrate the UN International Day of Families sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Guinea, with additional co-sponsorship from the Permanent Missions of Ethiopia, Iraq, Nigeria, Qatar, Sudan, and the Permanent Observer of the African Union, in collaboration with UPF. The keynote guest address was given by special guest speaker Dr. Deepak Chopra.
In 2010 the celebrations of IYF by UPF expanded to 37 nations while observing the theme of \"The Impact of Migration on Families.\" In 2011 UPF\'s IYF events were held in 40 countries following the theme of \"Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion\".
Observances of the International Day of Families 2013 were organized by UPF in 42 nations: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Congo, Cote d\'Ivoire, Czech Republic, DR Congo, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, UK, USA. The 2013 theme of \"Advancing Social Integration and Inter-generational Solidarity\" was followed in many of the events.
Overall, we receive positive feedback from these activities and observe increased efforts to continue and expand the types and number of events and target groups in more counties every year. We are assured that even more numerous and substantial events will be organized by UPF around the world celebrating the upcoming the 20th anniversary.
For complete reports of specific events and summary power point presentations for each year please see: http://upf.org/united-nations/international-day-of-families
2. World Peace Blessings
Building a culture of peace is the most effective way to prevent conflict, violence, and poverty, and a family culture of heart is the wellspring of a culture of peace. UPF has been promoting a marriage culture through World Peace Blessings in 120 nations beginning well before 2004.
The goal of these events is to promote healthy marriage and family relationships grounded in true and selfless love, mutual respect, interdependence, and “living for the sake of others.”
The target groups vary widely as these can be large public events with several thousands of participants but also be performed in government or religious venues for civic or religious leaders with only a few hundred participants.
World Peace Blessing ceremonies have been held in small or large venues. Typically Peace Blessings begin with invocations by leaders of all major and indigenous religions. Newlyweds and couples renewing their vows make a sacred promise as husband and wife to love each other faithfully, live together in peace, and raise up their children and grandchildren to uphold purity and fidelity. A special contribution to world peace is made by couples who bridge the divides of race and religion, pledging that they and their families will promote understanding, mutual respect, and harmony. Couples are encouraged to participate in other programs to strengthen marriage and the family.
Depending on the venue, funding is often provided through the local UPF chapters. Major events are supported by UPF International.
Couples report this ceremony deepens their personal commitment to their spouse as a commitment to their Creator. This inter-religious experience helps couples recognize the universal value of marriage, creating a bridge to all religions. Further feedback indicates couples\' increased understanding of the importance of thriving marriage for the well-being of children and the stability of society.
Reports from several countries are available at:
http://upf.org/component/categoryupf/categoryupflist/53
3. Global Day of Parents
Last year, UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/66/292 established the Global Day of Parents, to be celebrated annually on June 1. The Global Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship. In its resolution, the General Assembly also noted that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children and those children, for the full and harmonious development of their personality, should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. The resolution recognizes the role of parents in the rearing of children and invites Member States to celebrate the Day in full partnership with civil society, particularly involving young people and children.
For the purpose of supporting this cause UPF celebrated this day in twenty nations, including one at the UN headquarters in New York. These nations were Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, China, Congo, Georgia, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Peru, Russia (conference, marathon, and seminar), Togo, Ukraine, United States (New York, Washington DC, and across the nation).
Similar to the IYF events, the target audience, venue and activity cover a wide spectrum ranging from academic forums, family education symposiums, family service projects to programs honoring parents and grandparents.
For reports on each event and a summary power point presentation please see: http://upf.org/united-nations/global-day-of-parents.