Dutch Experts Offer Guidance on Family Wellbeing
- May 17
- 3 min read
Amsterdam, Netherlands – On Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2026, UPF-Netherlands and Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) organized a celebration of the UN International Day of Families. The UPF-Netherlands secretary general, Dr. Willem Koetsier, warmly welcomed everyone, before reading the United Nations’ explanation of this year’s theme for the day:
“The theme of the 2026 observance, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” underscores how widening inequalities are shaping family life and influencing children’s futures. It calls for stronger investment in integrated, family-oriented policies to reduce disparities and support healthy child development.”
Mr. Koetsier emphasized the importance of the family from the perspective of UPF and WFWP. He explained that husband and wife are equal partners who complement each other. A family with children provides a good training ground for the different kinds of love: the love of parents for children (most unconditional, like God's Love for humanity); the love of children for their parents; brotherly and sisterly love (also important for friendships); and the love between husband and wife (forming a powerful core). The family promotes personal growth and spiritual maturity, as well as good preparation for marriage and future relationships, he said.
After this Ms. Elizabeth Giuliano, president of WFWP in the Netherlands, addressed the group. “The International Day of Families invites us to consider the evolving nature of family life, its critical role in social development, and the need for policies that support families' well-being and cohesion,” she said. “On this special day, we are reminded that the health of our societies and the future of our world depend substantially on the strength and harmony within families.”
Mrs. Guiliano went on to explain WFWP’s view of the family: “Family is often described as the ‘cradle of love’ and the ‘foundation of peace.’ The lessons learned within families – of empathy, sacrifice, cooperation, and respect – are the building blocks for nurturing peaceful communities. WFWPI’s vision recognizes this truth by emphasizing the role of women and families as pivotal agents of peacebuilding and societal transformation.”
The next speaker was Ms. Margriet Noot Heidemann, a teacher, family counselor, mother and grandmother. Her work with adults and adolescents led her to realize that personal attachment is the most critical element in human development. She decried the fact that modern society undermines the family.
“Governments contribute to this as well by promoting the idea that both partners should work full-time. Their focus is the economy, not the family, or even the individual. Increasingly, people have come to believe that raising children is a task for professionals rather than parents… For many children, the number of hours spent with their parents is very limited.”
She explained that increased professional services – including youth care, behavioral diagnoses, psychological interventions, counseling and monitoring of children – are part of the problem, “not because professionals are bad, but because professionals can never replace primary attachment relationships.”
Ms. Heidemann stressed that a loving family is the best environment to ensure healthy child development. “I have seen and know that children flourish when they feel strongly connected to their parents and family members. If they struggle, restoring and strengthening relationships will heal them.” She added, “When a child feels and knows that he or she is valued and loved, that they belong, that we enjoy being with them, then that child will naturally listen to us, follow us, accept our care and protection, and adopt our values and even our faith.”
After the speeches a dialogue took place at the tables, while dinner was served. The audience and speakers shared the view that observing the International Day of Families is very important, and that more attention should be paid to family values education.
