By FFWPU /UPF New Zealand
We organized a Festive to celebrate Youth and Family Peace Day (YFPD) on a sunny Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Due Drop Events Centre, which is an iconic venue in Manukau, Auckland.
The idea and its vision have been developed over time since October 2020. The purpose of the event is to create a pro-family and marriage culture in New Zealand, to teach youth a loyal and sincere heart, and to share steps to become blessed families with partner organizations.
The event was a full-day program, which featured addresses from distinguished speakers from abroad and local partner organizations. More than 350 people came and went throughout the day. The three components of the event, cultural performances, youth, and family cultural presentations, and marriage culture presentations, besides opening and closing programs, were very much appreciated.
This event was sponsored by:
- IKPACT (Indian Kiwis Positive Aging Charitable Trust)
- HopeAlive New Zealand
- Pro Love
- New Zealand Chandigarh Club
- INZCA (International New Zealand Culture and Arts Society)
- LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Nixcrew (Safe Drive Initiative for Youth)
- FFWPU (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification)
- WFWP (Women’s Federation for World Peace)
- UPF (Universal Peace Federation)
Event
The Opening remark was given by Mrs. Ruth Cleaver/UPF Senior member, and Former Auckland Interfaith Council President, followed by an opening prayer (Karakia) by Mr. Ngati Tahinga Wilson, a representative of Makaurau Marae at Ihumatao.
Mr. Kenji Watanabe, Chairman of the UPF New Zealand gave a talk, sharing the significance of the day of 11-11 with the theme, ” Family Building is Nation Building.”
Then, the importance of the resolution of the National Family Day Petition was introduced by Mr. Geoffrey Fyers, secretary general of UPF New Zealand.
Mr. Ross Robertson/ Former Deputy Speaker of the NZ Parliament was the committee member for the YFPD and got involved from the beginning and delivered congratulatory remarks with encouragement as the ongoing effort to uplift family value.
The keynote presentation, “Family is the foundation for World Peace” was given by Mr. Greg Stone, secretary general of UPF Oceania.
Lunchtime was also the time for cultural performances to uplift families:.
- Filipino Group with a presence of Miss Philippine in New Zealand
- International NZ Cultural and Art Society Performance Group and Botany Chinese Association Dance Performance
- New Zealand Chandigarh Club
- Power of Anointing Worship Centre Pukekohe Samoan Church Group
After lunch, Youth and Family Cultural Presentations was welcomed by MC Mr. Geoffrey Fyers:
- Presenter 1: Mr. Elliot Ikilei/ Educator for Youth
- Presenter 2: Mr. Amon Watanabe/YSP
- Partner 1: Nix Crew Mrs. Anne Degia-Pala
- Partner 2: Hope Alive New Zealand Ms. Catherine Gillies
- Partner 3: IKPACT Group Mr. HPS Luthera, followed by Significance of Diwali by Mr. Gurpreet Singh
- Intermission Performance: IKPACT Group (Gidha)
2nd session was about Marriage Culture:
- Presentation 1: Imam Muhammed Shaakir Ismail
- Performance for Chinese Wedding Story: by ASSAC and Lily’s Group
- Presentation 2: Mr. Mark Green/LDS Church
- Presentation 3: Mr. Greg Stone/ UPF Oceania Secretary General
- Presentation 4: UPF/FFWPU Marriage and Family Blessing Program for Rededication of Marriage
- Congratulatory Performance: Angelo & Rosalyn; Ranjender Seth’s couple
The Closing Program was guided by Mrs. Ruth Cleaver.
- Video Presentation: high lights of the event
- Sing together: Where Peace begins.
- Closing Remarks was given by Mrs. Matapa Shelley/WFWP NZ President
- Partners Exhibition Area 11am- 5pm
The National Family Day (11-11) Petition and the Youth and Family Peace Day are our ongoing projects to create a culture of healthy family and marriage culture and we are planning to hold the 2nd event on 9th November 2024.
Reflection
Catherine Gillies from HopeAlive New Zealand: It was the most amazing day. I can’t believe how you manage to bring people from so many parts of the world together. The performances and the whole day were worth filling the whole auditorium. My only suggestion would be a little bell to remind people like me when they have only one minute left. I lost track of time once I started talking from the heart. The speaker before me was very moving, particularly because my friend with me just lost her 28-year-old daughter 5 months ago, so I was aware that we always have people with deep pain amongst us. What an amazing day though!