Youth and Service
Zugdidi, Georgia - A Religious Youth Service project July 20-28, 2013, in western Georgia included renovating a social center, doing ecological activities, visiting places of worship, educational programs and sports.
Slyudanka, Russia - The 4th Baikal Volunteer Forum, July 8 to 21, was organized by volunteers with support of UPF and several other non-profit organizations. The focus was on developing a framework for promoting ecotourism and encouraging local people to take more initiative in caring for the unique ecosystem around this Siberian lake.
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Envoy on Youth, arrived in Sri Lanka on July 4 for a three-day official visit. The visit offered an opportunity for Dr. Chula Senaratne, Secretary General of UPF-Sri Lanka and national director of Religious Youth Service, to meet with the UN envoy.
The journey of this year’s Religious Youth Service project in Nepal started on June 1 when participants got on the bus heading from Kathmandu Valley to Nuwakot. Throughout the bus ride, the scenery of the surrounding places enchanted everyone because of its mountainous picturesque beauty. Although the bus journey went a little bumpy, the exhaustion went away once the participants arrived at the Shree Bhairam Secondary School, where the school principal along with the teachers and students greeted the participants with their traditional silk scarf, vermilion, and flowers.
Our historic journey started from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal on June 1. Thirty participants rode a reserved bus to the Religious Youth Service project site in the town of Nuwakot.
Nuwakot, Nepal - Bangladeshi, Russian, Pakistani, and Nepali youth were invited to Nuwakot in central Nepal for a Religious Youth Service project that included interactive learning opportunities and painting a school June 1-7, 2013.
Kondopoga, Russia - A youth conference promoting harmony, peace, and tolerance took place in the Karelian town of Kondopoga, on May 30.Students of local schools, lyceums, and colleges, as well as students from Petrozavodsk gathered together in the hall of the Youth Cultural Center.
Kathmandu, Nepal - Free juice was distributed on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, May 25, 2013, in Ananda Ktu Vihar, Swoyambhu, a World Heritage Site sacred to Buddhists in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Moscow, Russia - A Pageant of Beauty, Character, and Lifestyle took place at the Russian Federation Social University in Moscow on May 18. Among the participants were students of Moscow universities. This contest is unique because the jury takes into consideration not only the external appearance of the contestants but also their character and lifestyle.
London, UK - “The Impact of Social Media on Faith Communities” was the theme of a program presented May 1, 2013 in the UK House of Commons by the Youth Interfaith Council.
Khabarovsk, Russia - Initiated by representatives of UPF, an interactive lesson on "Love and Infatuation" was held for 7th-formers of school №76 of Khabarovsk, on April 27. The theme is interesting for young people; moreover, it is socially significant.
Medan, Indonesia - In March, UPF established a new chapter in Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra Province. The newly established UPF center focuses on youth leadership training programs for students inculcating the values of ‘pure love’ and ‘living for the sake of others’ as well as marriage rededication programs for couples to enhance the quality of love they experience in their marriage.