Dhaka, Bangladesh - The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)-Dhaka, the Universal Peace Federation, and the Women’s Federation for World Peace jointly organized a seminar titled “Creating a World of Peace: One Family at a Time” on May 15 at the Dhaka Business and Professional Women’s Club in Bangladesh to mark the International Day of Families. Though it was caught in a shower, the seminar was attended by 80 religious leaders, educators, social workers, and student leaders. The family is the central building block of a society as well as an instrument for peace and reconciliation, said the speakers at the seminar.

After welcome remarks by Mrs. Zeenat Ara Bhuiyan, President of Women's Federation for World Peace-Bangladesh, UNIC-Dhaka reference officer MD Muniruzzarman read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the theme “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World.” Mr. Kazi Ali Reza, Officer in Charge of UNIC-Dhaka, presented the keynote speech and reported about the worldwide observance of the International Day of Families. He encouraged parents to spend time with their children building a happy home atmosphere.

As the chief guest, Prof. Dr. M. Shamsher Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Southeast University and Chairman of UPF-Bangladesh, pointed out that the family is the school of love. He also described the family as a mini-government, where problems can be resolved as long as members of the family remain united.

Finally, Mr. Tetsuya Amano, Assistant Secretary General of UPF-Bangladesh, read the Declaration on the Family which contains five recommendations. The final one states that, “Lasting peace is secured not merely through laws, backed by the power of government enforcement, but by a rising awareness of our universal solidarity as one human family, brothers and sisters who share a common spiritual and moral heritage. We are one family under God."

To read UPF's Declaration on Families, click here.

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