Regardless of Race & Religion - 70 People Gather to Promote Family Values

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 2011

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - On May 15 2011, more than 70 people regardless of race and religion, gathered early morning at Taman Rekreasi Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the UN International Day of Families. 

Themed "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion," the celebration was organized by Universal Peace Federation of Malaysia with co-organizers Malaysian Interfaith Network, Women for Family Welfare Promotion Selangor & Federal Territory and  Holy Spirit Association of Selangor and Federal Territory for the first time in Malaysia. Activities included treasure hunt, family games and song performances. 

The Secretary General of the Universal Peace Federation of Malaysia, Yeoh Koay Seng said the theme of this year's International Day of Families is "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion", the organizers intended to raise public awareness on the social impact of families, knowledge of economic and demographic processes and regardless of race, gender and religion to enhance family relationships. 

He read the International Day of Families speech by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, which said the world has a lot of poor families, parents of these families cannot provide adequate nutrition for their children. He continued saying poverty led hundreds of thousands of women each year to die during childbirth. 

Yeoh Koay Seng pointed out that social exclusion is the root cause of family poverty. He said, unfair social services and related discrimination against social groups, deprived poor parents of planning a better future for their children. 

Increasingly Serious Problem of Juvenile Delinquency 

On the other hand, the President of Universal Peace Federation of Malaysia, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan said the problem of juvenile crime is increasing and the situation is worrying. She urged parents to spend more time with their children, to inculcate religious values in them, cultivate their discipline and to help solve the problem of juvenile crime.

She also urged the public to interact more with neighbors, enhance relationship between families and when neighbors need help, practice the spirit of mutual aid. 

Posted in: Malaysia,News