United Nations International Day of Families
“Creating a World of Peace, One Family at a Time”
Friday, May 15, 2009 - Hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Combine the warm and cozy feeling of a family reunion and the cultural splendor of the beautifully exotic nation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and you will understand the unique experience had by all who attended the International Day of Families Celebration, Friday May 15^th 2009 at the Bahrain Embassy in Washington DC.

Madame Ambassador Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo of Bahrain graciously hosted the celebration in partnership with UPF International and UPF-USA. Many diplomats attended along with members of the DC international community, and a large number of Ambassadors for Peace and their friends in the DC Metro area. The wonderful hospitality of the Embassy was evident as the afternoon started off with a delicious meal of Middle Eastern cuisine.

The program began with greetings from Ambassador Nonoo and a review of the interesting and inspiring peace efforts of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. A fitting expression of this enlightened nation that has achieved interfaith harmony and democracy is the presence of Ambassador Nonoo herself, who comes from the Jewish faith tradition and is an accomplished woman leader. The Ambassador showed a fascinating film which touched upon many aspects of this extraordinary country.

After settling into the environment of Bahrain, feeling fully welcomed and relaxed, the audience then turned their attention to the topic of the day. The UN theme for the 2009 International Day of Families is "Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World".

Through the International Day of Families, the United Nations recognizes the need to strengthen and support families in performing their societal and developmental functions. UPF offers the further recommendations to this resolution, such as; UPF acknowledges that the family is a microcosm of the global community. If the world is to finally come to an era of sustainable peace and harmony among civilizations, that peace must be founded on this basic, most intimate social unit of humankind. In other words, the family is the central building block of society, as well as being an instrument for peace and reconciliation.

In this vein, Ms. Cheryl Wetzstein, a columnist for The Washington Times on “Family Matters” gave the audience a synopsis of the challenges facing the institution of the family in America. She recounted many of the significant social problems related with family breakdown. She also commented on the growing social science data on the importance of traditional two parent families, and highlighted some best practices that address the challenges facing families.

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, President of the National Partnership for Community Development explained that in the past there has been much support for motherhood and children, however, the role and impact of fathers have not been fully researched or understood. Dr. Johnson passionately submitted the need for more emphasis on fatherhood strengthening initiatives as a key component of promoting healthy families.

The audience really experienced a connection with the United Nations and all that it ideally represents when the Executive Director of the DC United Nations Information Center, Mr. David Smith, read the message from UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for the commemoration of the day. In introducing that message, Mr. Smith added his own comments:

“Thank you for remembering this day. In an age when the political agenda so often dominates our thinking about so many issues, when I see, “Creating a world of Peace one family at a time”. I am reminded of how the United Nations should and must stand for that which we could all agree upon; be it feeding the starving, be it tending the sick, be it trying to prevent conflict in so many parts of our world. And one says it all, by the concept of uniting behind the family. The notion and …the hard work that goes behind building a world of peace one family at a time, is something we can all unite behind.”

To conclude the program, Mr. Jim Flynn, Secretary General of UPF-USA presented the core universal principles which are the basis for the Ambassadors for Peace Initiative. Jan DuPlain, an active and seasoned Ambassador for Peace, emphasized the heart-to-heart relationships and depth that is the core of this organization. She stated that she is amazed how inspired she becomes each and every time she hears the “Peace Principles” given, reminding us all why we are here.

Ambassador Nonoo was the first to be honored and appointed as a new Ambassador for Peace, followed by numerous other distinguished leaders in the DC Metropolitan Area. The event closed, yet many lingered, networking, talking, discussing and enjoying each other’s company.

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