Beijing Women's Federation

The Beijing Women's Federation (BWF) and the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges co-organized a series of activities to celebrate International Day of Families, which falls on May 15, for Chinese and foreign families in Beijing.

The event intends to implement General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping's important remarks on strengthening work on promotion of family tradition and education, and to response to the initiative of International Day of Families to enhance family harmony, happiness and progress.

With rich themes and in multiple ways, the event integrated outdoor activities and discussions and conversations among international families, connecting family friendships from different countries, building consensus on families from different cultures, and expanding channels of communication among women all over the world.

More than 300 people, including foreign ambassadors and diplomats in China from 20 countries which include Namibia, Russia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Mauritius, Nepal, Cuba, Iran and Italy, as well as foreign experts, representatives of Chinese and foreign families and international organizations, participated in the event.

Webinar — Discussing Women-related Issues to Promote Development

With the theme "Equality and Development: Women, Family and Better Life," the webinar was successfully held on May 13 in Beigou Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing.

Zhang Qian, Executive Vice-President of the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges, introduced the importance of building a cross-cultural and non-governmental exchange platform around women's issues.

Chen Yanping, Vice-President of the BWF, shared BWF's experience and practices of leading and supporting women's unique role in social and family life.

Yun Mei, Secretary-General of the Beijing Family Education Society, Ma Fengzhi, Professor at the Department of Sociology of Peking University, Mehrdad Shabahang, an expert on the UNESCO Silk Roads Programme, Deisi Kusztra, President of the World Family Organization, and Elia G. Kaiyamo, Namibia's ambassador to China, Melissa, minister counselor of Embassy of Jamaica in China, Tsuru Yukari, Chairman of the Japan Bibo Club, and Ginas, goodwill ambassador for women entrepreneurs of Mauritius, attended the forum.

They had in-depth discussions on women's development, family values, harmonious society, cross-cultural exchanges and world peace.

The guests also visited Beigou Village and exchanged views with representatives of local women and families. Seeing the rapid development of Beigou under the support of China's rural revitalization policy, the guests said that "women can hold up half of the sky" in promoting industrial development and the rural ethical progress.

Spring Family Carnival — Promoting Friendship

With the theme of "Building a Global Village," international families were invited to gather in the beautiful Olympic Forest Park to promote the Olympic culture through various games and enhance awareness of ecological civilization through interactive exchanges.

Traditional ice games such as ice football and ice bowling show the long history and inheritance of winter sports in Beijing. The biathlon experience and the winter Olympic knowledge quiz made everyone feel the pulse of the 2022 Winter Olympics, and deepened their understanding of the Olympic spirit of "fair competition, mutual understanding, friendship and unity" through fun competitions.

During the walking part, families from various countries competed in intelligence, physical strength and team spirit, and experienced handicraft making, plant identification, and AI challenges.

"The most beautiful family must be happy, and a happy family must be civilized," "Family is related to personal happiness and social harmony," "Family civilization is the foundation of national prosperity." People wrote messages on the wishing tree, sharing their understanding of family and expressing their yearning and confidence in building peaceful and beautiful homes.

New Technology — Expanding Communication Channels

This year's event made full use of digital technology, promoted a webinar among representatives of various countries and interaction between Chinese and foreign families through online and offline methods. The Guangming Daily's Facebook account conducted a live broadcast in English of the event to the world.

The application of new technologies has shortened the distance, broken down communication barriers and achieved wider exchanges, especially in the context of the epidemic.

The event was also a positive response to the United Nations International Day of Families in 2021, as it promoted social development and family well-being through new technologies.

The event was carried out under the guidance and support of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and was supported by the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, the Beijing Olympic City Development Association, the Beijing Minhe International Exchange Foundation, the Beijing Association of Marriage and Family Development, the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation, and Beijing International Studies University.