The Universal Peace Federation acknowledges the value of the family as the core unit of society. The family has the unique and universal function of teaching virtue, ethics, citizenship, and the capacity to love. Through our family experiences we learn to embrace and value all relationships in our wider, global human family. Sustainable peace and harmony among civilizations can only be founded on this most intimate and formative social unit of humankind.
The cohesion and stability of the family are prerequisites for a healthy and stable society. Conversely, the breakdown of the family contributes to a wide range of social problems including poverty, crime, physical and mental illness, and loneliness. Effort must be made to strengthen the family in order to build a stronger base of social capital that will enhance the overall quality of life for everyone.
The natural family is grounded in marriage, the cornerstone of the family. Children benefit when their mother and father are committed to loving and caring for them and committed to each other in marriage. When providing a secure environment, parents and grandparents are best positioned to raise their children into mature, thriving social contributors to their communities and world.
With the world’s population reaching eight billion, declining birthrates in many developed countries, and falling fertility rates worldwide, the world is facing major challenges due to changes in demographics. The social, economic, geo-political, and environmental impact of these demographic trends are now recognized as huge, both positive and alarming. These data underline the fact that having children and the well-being of family is critical for the future of humanity. Having children is one of the greatest human responsibilities, bringing challenges but also joys in life. UPF International and our worldwide network of Ambassadors for Peace, stands firmly on the position that the family must be recognized and supported as the fundamental social unit for the future well-being of our global family.