Youth and Service
Yekaterinburg, Russia - Disabled and elderly people living in the boarding house “7 Springs” in Yekaterinburg were visited on Feb. 10, 2011, by representatives of different Christian bodies and yoga practitioners as part of a World Interfaith Harmony Week observance.
Nairobi, Kenya - Two hundred trees were planted in Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa, on Jan. 21, 2011, and ground was broken for building ten public toilets.
Jerusalem, Israel - To beautify Jerusalem's historic Hansen Garden, on Dec. 24, 2010, Israeli youth planted different types of flowers, including freesia, cyclamen and iris.
Delhi, India - UPF-India offered a variety of educational programs during 2010. Around 700 youth volunteers attended Peace Principles seminars. Character education programs were offered to 1,500 students. The Mission Self-Empowerment Project was launched with 16 college students committed to becoming leaders of positive social change. Peace education was offered to 194 National Service Scheme volunteers.
Freetown, Sierra Leone - UPF-Sierra Leone launched Student Peace Initiative in nine leading secondary schools in the capital on December 11. Character education training was offered to sixteen students, who are encouraged to start peace clubs at their schools.
Madrid, Spain - A benefit concert of Christmas music at the UPF Peace Embassy in Madrid raised funds for Palestinian children on Dec. 12, 2010 as part of the UPF's Family Festival.
Stuttgart, Germany - Ending the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2010), UPF-Stuttgart organized an international Advent celebration on December 11. More than 70 people — young and old — enjoyed not only coffee and cookies but also various presentations of international art, culture, and humanitarian service.
Since 1993, Religious Youth Service has been facilitating understanding and cooperation among Malaysia's people of Malay, Indian and Chinese origin. Here is a sampling of reports of projects through 2010.
Moscow, Russia - UPF-Russia showcased two of its volunteer projects at the Moscow Volunteer Rally on Dec. 7, 2010, at the State University of Management.
Pokrovskoye, Urals, Russia - In the village of Pokrovskoye, Sverdlovsk region (Ural), classroom sessions were led on the topic of “Self Development – Development of Relationships – Development of Territories” on December 3 as part of the City Helps Village Project. Among the participants were children of the 5th and the 8th forms of the village school.
Moscow, Russia - The first meeting of the peacemakers’ club “Young Peace Ambassadors” took place November 19. The club was created as an educational and discussion platform and a way for young activists to meet and share their experiences.
Turinsk, Russia - A workshop on Value-oriented Volunteerism took place as part of the annual educational program, the Baikal ecological and tourism volunteer project on Oct. 30, 2010.