Peace Education
UPF organizes seminars and conferences that present core values and universal principles of peacebuilding.
- Written by: Hermine Schellen
Beirut, Lebanon - Many people in the Middle East and in Lebanon are weary or tired of wars and conflict; that’s why any peacemaking efforts are appreciated in general in this part of the world. Because of the conflict in Gaza, a very strong determination was needed to put together a Peace Conference at that time.
- Written by: Robert Kittel, Director of Peace Education, UPF-Asia
Jakarta, Indonesia - With the sound of a gong and setting of dozens of doves to flight, plans for a peace festival in Indonesia were announced on January 14.
- Written by: Mbaye Diop, UPF-Senegal
Dakar, Senegal - Rev. Adama Doumbia visited Senegal at the end of December for meetings in Dakar and Guediaway.
- Written by: Hod Ben Zvi, UPF-Israel
Haifa, Israel - The crowd at Haifa's annual December celebrations, known as the "Holiday of Holidays," included Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Druze from Haifa and all around the country.
- Written by: Hod Ben Zvi, UPF-Israel
A variety of service and educational projects in northern Israel took place in December 2008.
- Written by: Christopher Davies, UPF-The Netherlands
Bergen aan Zee, The Netherlands - The December UPF European Leadership Conference in The Netherlands featured speakers associated with the Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael speaking on security concerns within Europe and beyond.
- Written by: Leonard D. Postrado, Manila Bulletin
Manila, Philippines - Religious and political leaders from various nations shared the limelight on December 13 in front of thousands of people at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in a show of unity and symbolic breaking of cultural barriers to become "one big family under God."
- Written by: UPF - Japan
Numazu, Japan - On November 9, 2008, a new Peace Embassy was opened in Numazu, a city in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. A month later, the first Ambassadors for Peace seminar was held there.
- Written by: GPF - Brazil
Brasilia, Brazil - An International Leadership Conference held at Brazil's National Museum included participants from both North and South America.
- Written by: Sung Hwa Bessell
Belize City, Belize - The Global Peace Festival in Belize was the first time that the idea of celebrating peacebuilding efforts with neighboring Guatemala had come to people's minds. Though small compared to the GPF efforts around the world, the November 28 and 29 events may impact the future of Belize and its neighboring countries in tremendous ways.
- Written by: UPF - Congo
Brazzaville, Congo - A peace festival took place on November 26, with several social impact activities taking place, including cleaning of public places, a marathon race, a cultural evening, and an International Leadership Seminar.
- Written by: Christopher Davies, UPF-The Netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands - On November 22, a peace festival was held in London, and simultaneous meetings were organized throughout the continent, including in The Hague.