UN International Day of Families 2023

On the evening of Saturday 17 June 2023, the auditorium of the Te Tuhi Arts and Cultural Centre in Pakuranga, East Auckland, filled with the sound of music, laughter, and the warmth of genuine community. UPF New Zealand’s commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Families had begun — and despite the traffic congestion that delayed many attendees, around 80 people eventually settled in to share an evening that would leave a lasting impression.

The event was co-sponsored by UPF New Zealand alongside three partner organisations: the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and the Indian Kiwis Positive Aging Charitable Trust (IKPACT) — a coalition that itself reflected the spirit of the evening: diverse in background, united in purpose.

The UN Theme: Demographic Trends and Families

The United Nations chose “Demographic Trends and Families” as the theme for the International Day of Families 2023 — a recognition of the profound ways in which shifting population patterns are reshaping the conditions in which families form, grow, and endure. Falling birth rates, ageing populations, increasing mobility, and changing family structures are among the megatrends demanding new thinking from governments and communities alike.

UPF New Zealand’s approach to this theme was characteristic: to focus not only on the policy dimensions of demographic change, but on the human heart of the matter — the question of what makes families strong, and how communities can nurture that strength.

Opening the Evening

Geoffrey Fyers, Secretary General of UPF New Zealand, welcomed the gathering with his trademark warmth, before opening remarks from Kenji Watanabe, Chairman of UPF New Zealand and FFWPU, and community leader Mr. Harinder Pal Singh Luthera, who brought a spirit of civic dignity to the occasion.

The keynote was delivered by Ross Robertson — former Deputy Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives and a long-serving UPF Ambassador for Peace. Ross spoke on the positive influence of family lineage, of positivity, and of discipline. His message was one that transcended cultural background: that the stories we carry from our families — the examples set by parents and grandparents, the values passed down through generations — are among the most powerful forces shaping who we become. The audience, drawn from many different cultural traditions, nodded in recognition of a truth that is truly universal.

Ideal Family Awards

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the Ideal Family Award ceremony — a celebration of families who have been acknowledged by their communities for outstanding service, commitment, and love. This year’s recipients were:

• Mr. Harjit Singh and Mrs. Tajinder Kaur
• Mr. and Mrs. Taore
• Mr. and Mrs. Pahuja

Each family received their award to warm applause — recognition not of wealth or status, but of the quiet, daily work of building a family that blesses those around it.

Peace Marriage Blessing Ceremony

Following the awards, participants were introduced to the Peace Marriage Blessing Ceremony — an affirmation of the sanctity of the marital covenant and the vision of the family as the school of love. Couples in attendance joined together in a shared commitment to build families grounded in love, fidelity, and service to others. For many who participated, it was a moment of genuine renewal — a chance to reconnect with the vows and values at the heart of their family life.

A Celebration of Culture

Between the speeches and ceremonies, the programme was enriched by a series of cultural performances that brought the diversity of Auckland’s communities vividly to life:

• Ms. Sneh offered a beautiful Indian song celebrating family and togetherness
• Mrs. Lily Yao’s Chinese dance group performed with grace and precision, showcasing the elegance of Chinese classical dance
• Mr. Angelo Bergantinos and his song partner delivered a moving congratulatory performance that spoke of the joy of commitment
• The Tongan volunteers’ choir brought the house alive with a rousing choral performance that filled the auditorium

Refreshments and Fellowship

The evening drew to a close around 7:30 pm, with refreshments shared among participants who were in no hurry to leave. The bonds formed over shared food and shared values are, in many ways, the real work of an evening like this — the moments where people from different faiths and cultures find themselves in genuine conversation, discovering more common ground than division.

The UN International Day of Families is observed each year on 15 May. UPF New Zealand’s June commemoration was a little later in the calendar, but no less sincere — a community gathering that demonstrated, in miniature, the kind of society we are all working to build: one that holds the family as the foundation of everything good.