With the title “Peace starts with ME … & with my family”, the Swiss Family Campaign, which began in the spring at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, was carried on in Zurich on July 7.
„Frieden beginnt mit MIR & mit meiner Familie!“
Zur Feier des 25. Jubiläums des“ Internationalen Jahres der Familie“, führt die Familienföderation Schweiz, in gemeinsamen Bemühen mit der „Universal Peace Federation (UPF)“, der „Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWPI)”, sowie dem “Fribourg Peace Forum”, eine nationale interreligiöse Kampagne für eine friedliche Gesellschaft, gründend auf friedfertigen Individuen und Familien, durch. Diese interreligiöse Veranstaltung bezweckt auf die zentrale Rolle der Familie hinzuweisen, aber auch auf die speziellen Herausforderungen der heutigen Familien, in einer zunehmend gewaltorientierten, zerspaltenen und desorientierten Gesellschaft, einzugehen.
Um diesen kritischen Herausforderungen gerecht zu werden, haben sich Vertreter verschiedenster Institutionen und Gruppierungen, zusammengetan um innovative Vorschläge für eine Verbesserung der gegenwärtigen Situation der Familien zu erarbeiten. Das Quartiertreffen vom 7. Juli in Zürich-Affoltern, als Teil der Schweizer Kampagne für Familien, war ein Versuch, im Rahmen eines interreligiösen Austausches, auf wesentliche Weisheiten der Religionen zurückzugreifen, um gesellschaftliche Probleme in einer neuen Weise anzugehen. Es wurde zu einem Erfolg und neuen Start für alle Anwesenden.
As a continuation of the Swiss Family Campaign, which began this spring at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, an inter-religious meeting entitled “Peace starts with ME … & with my family” was held on July 7, 2019 in Zurich.
The event was organized by FFWPU, UPF, Friburg Peace Forum, WFWP and featured the interventions of four major faith leaders and two ECOSOC NGOs.
The aim was to promote the institution of the family, which is fundamental for a healthy and happy environment. Religions have a key role in transmitting and spreading basic family values, even in their diversity all have this common base. Two panels were held during the day. The first one in the morning dealt with the subjects: “Interreligious Cooperation for Peace: Focus on the Family - the Strategic Importance of the Cell of our Civilization”. At the end, just before lunch, time was given for questions and answers and discussion.
Later took place the second panel entitled: “The Family as a School of Love and Humanity”. Also in this case 3 speakers addressed the topic displaying their presentation.
Following the presentations, there were relevant questions from the participants to the speakers which evolved into a lively discussion. As outcome, several interesting ideas emerged as well as some inspiring statements.
The atmosphere throughout the day was jovial and harmonious, all the referents and participants were very satisfied and declared themselves willing to work together again and carry on this precious message.
Written by Julia Leggio, FFWPU Zurich