By UPF and FFWPU Thailand
The United Nations has designated May 15 of every year as the International Day of Families in order to campaign and promote awareness of the value and importance of the institution of the family, which is the starting point and basis of peace, harmony, and quality of life for people, society, and the nation. Therefore, every day should be a family day. Family members should treat each other with a heart of love, understanding, compassion and generosity. This will make the family bonds warm and strong and help to build stable, safe, and prosperous societies.
On May 16, 2024, UPF and FFWPU Thailand in collaboration with the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Institute and Morality Promotion organized a seminar on the topic: Make Every Day a “Family Day” at the main conference room, 4th floor, UCF Building, Hua Mak Subdistrict, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok and on online platforms.
There were 300 onsite and online participants from 80 agencies such as social development and security offices in various provinces, district offices, municipalities, local government organizations, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, Nakhon Nayok Provincial Agriculture and Cooperatives Office, Children’s and Family Homes, Health Promotion Division, Health Department, Public Health Office, Youth Welfare and vocational training centers and universities, etc.
Gen. Terdsak Marrome, President of UPF-Thailand gave the Welcome and Opening Remarks followed by a panel discussion on the seminar theme:
- Miss Raporn Pongpanitanon, family expert of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Institutions said “Every family’s first and foremost task is to think of their family members. The family comes first and it is important to spend time together, doing at least one activity together every day to create close relationships within the family.” She also shared a brief video clip about her department’s work with women and families.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suriyadew Tripathi, Director of Morality Promotion (a public organization), stated that the family institution is the starting point of development, stability and sustainability of human resources and showed a video clip of the Positive Family Project of Morality Promotion.
- Dr. Lek Thaveetermsakul, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (Thailand) said, “The family is the source of love, life, and lineage which is a priceless gift given by heaven and inherited through the family.” Participants then watched a brief report and testimonies about the FFWPU project “Thai Families Know, Love, Unite” followed by a Q & A session.
19 distinguished persons were awarded as UPF-Thailand Ambassadors for Peace for their dedicated work to support public welfare in society and the work of UPF and the Family Federation in various provinces of Thailand. To conclude the event, Mrs. Ursula McLackland, Secretary General of UPF- Asia Pacific, congratulated the awardees and thanked all speakers and participants for their active participation.
