Commemorations of the United Nations International Day of Families, May 15, 2009, in dozens of countries around the world. Cultural celebrations, intergenerational activities, service projects, and seminars

1. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations The Universal Peace Federation organized over 55 celebrations of the UN Day of the Family in more than 22 nations WORLDWIDE

2. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations The results of the Family Day Celebration were reported in a special event held at UN Headquarters in New York on May 18 UN HQ

3. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations HE Alpha Ibrahim Sow, Permanent Mission of Guinea (center) and opening session chair HE U. Joy Ogwu, Nigerian Mission UN HQ

4. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations The audience included representatives from New York’s diverse faith community. UN HQ

5. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Lynn Walsh, Lila Hanitra Ratsifandrihamanana, Genie Kagawa, Thomas Walsh, Ki Hoon Kim, Taj Hamad UN HQ

6. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Popular speaker and author Deepak Chopra (inset) asks the audience to rise to its feet and make a commitment to peace. UN HQ

7. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Celebrations were held in 12 cities, including Washington DC, where the program was hosted by the Embassy of Bahrain U S A

8. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Participants were treated to a wonderful celebration, but also considered serious challenges facing families around the world. U S A

9. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations In Los Angeles, 400 people gathered with their families to celebrate IDF with a barbeque, sports, games and lots of fun. U S A

10. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Bill McCarthy, Chairman of the UN Association Los Angeles Chapter addresses the crowd. . U S A

11. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations SEATTLE: Celebrations with the Filipino-American Society (Top) and in partnership with the Somali Youth Day (Bottom) U S A

12. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations SIKKIM: Day of Families Celebration at Lingdok Governmental School in East-Sikkim INDIA

13. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations SIKKIM: Day of Families Celebration at Lingdok Governmental School in East-Sikkim INDIA

14. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations KATHMANDU: Over 200 guests were part of a standing-room-only crowd that filled the UPF Peace Embassy NEPAL

15. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations KATHMANDU: Prof. Dr. Sanu Devi Joshi, (L) United Nations’ National Information Officer, Mr. Ram Babu Shah (R) NEPAL

16. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations CARACAS: A program to honor exemplary families with a medal of peace. The UN message was read on local radio stations. VENEZUELA

17. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations COLOMBO: Seminar on sports, character education and interfaith with the Department of Education, Western Province SRI LANKA

18. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations OSLO: Seminar on Family & Universal Values in partnership with Central Jama'at-e Ahl-e Sunnat, Norway’s largest mosque. NORWAY

19. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Families gather for ceremonies of marriage rededication, and youth education for moral values and HIV/AIDS prevention MACAU

20. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Press Coverage for the event mentioned celebrations taking place around the world to mark the UN Day of Families MACAU

21. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations PHNOM PENH: Family and AIDS/HIV Prevention Seminar with students at Cambodia Mekong University, cohosted by UNIFEM CAMBODIA

22. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations DHAKA: United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), UPF and the WFWP presented a seminar “Peace, One Family At A Time.” BANGLADESH

23. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations KINGSTON: Reading of Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s message, followed by awards for families of peace. JAMAICA

24. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations RIGA: Three Generations gather for a celebration of “Today’s Successful Families” and “Families and Peace.” LATVIA

25. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations JERUSALEM: International Families gather for a picnic and the signing of a “Declaration of Peace” for all families in Israel. ISRAEL

26. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations LONDON: Seminar on Preparation and Early Support for family life with Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Jain, Hindu participants BRITAIN

27. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations TALLINN: Seminar on “Parental Heart as the Basis for Peace” followed by entertainment and refreshments. ESTONIA

28. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations TBILISI: Georgian, Armenian, Ossetian, Russian, Pakistani, Polish and Syrian Families join together to celebrate. GEORGIA

29. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations TBILISI: Georgian, Armenian, Ossetian, Russian, Pakistani, Polish and Syrian Families join together to celebrate. GEORGIA

30. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations MOSCOW: Young people visit veterans of World War II for a celebration of Victory Day and Family Day. RUSSIA

31. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations YAOUNDE: Young people visit veterans of World War II for a celebration of Victory Day and Family Day. CAMEROON

32. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations YAOUNDE: Mrs. Anne Nsang, Director of the UN Information Centre of Cameroon CAMEROON

33. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations Programs were also held in TVER, ROSTOV, VLADIVOSTOK, ST. PETERSBURG, EKATERINBURG and RYAZAN. RUSSIA

34. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations QUITO: Dr. Juan Vásconez of UNICEF addresses a capacity crowd at the Quito City Hall, followed by entertainment ECUADOR

35. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations STUTTGART: Hildegard Piepenburg speaks on the value of the family during the May 16 th Celebrations for 40 familes GERMANY

36. United Nations International Day of Families Universal Peace Federation Global Celebrations BEIRUT: Thomas Schellen delivers Ban Ki Moon’s message “Mothers and Families; Challenges in a Changing World’ LEBANON

37. GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS