Observances organized by UPF in over 40 nations

Observances of the UN International Day of Peace, September 21, 2014 organized by the Universal Peace Federation in Albania, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, DR Congo, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Gabon, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, LIthuania, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Russia, San Marino, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and the US. The theme for the International Day of Peace 2014 was "The Rights of Peoples to Peace." Along with human rights, there are human responsibilities. In order for human rights to be honored, respected and practiced, each individual should appreciate and practice his or her own portion of responsibilities. Likewise, in order for "we the peoples" to enjoy the "right of peace" it is necessary for each of us to work to build a world of peace, that is, a world of mutual respect and cooperation that goes beyond barriers of religion, ethnicity, culture and nationality. Marriage and family are the fundamental building blocks of society. When the family is healthy and stable, society becomes healthy and stable. When husband and wife love and respect one another, fully appreciative each one's value and each one's dignity, then respect for rights naturally follow. The family is the school of ethics and, in this capacity, the school of human rights. Through good parenting practices that underscore the value, dignity and rights of each and every human being, we move the world toward peace, one family at a time. For many people of faith, human rights have their root and origin in our Creator. There are compelling arguments to suggest that the largely secularized understanding of human rights has its foundation in spiritual and religious understandings of human beings as inherently sacred, and each one equally valuable.Read less