Pillar Peace and Security
Nigerian State and UPF to Partner for Peacebuilding
Port Harcourt, Nigeria—The government of Rivers State has pledged to partner with UPF-Nigeria on peacebuilding programs in the state and around the Niger Delta.
Interfaith Forum Visits Terror Victims, Condemns Terrorism
Jerusalem, Israel—Members of the Jerusalem Interfaith Forum visited a boy and his parents who were critically injured in an attack.
Jerusalem, Israel—On July 31, 2015, Jewish extremists torched a Palestinian house, causing the death of an eighteen-month-old Palestinian baby boy. The baby’s parents and four-year-old brother were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
On August 9, a delegation of 12 leaders of the Druze, Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths visited the victims’ family in the hospital. The delegation, which was co-organized by the Department of Religious Communities in Israel’s Interior Ministry and the Jerusalem Interfaith Forum, included several senior members of the Forum: Rabbi Edgar Nof; Dr. Ohr Margalit; Fr. Masud Abu Hatoum; and Sheik Dr. Omar Kayal, national inspector in the department.
A representative of the family met the delegation in the hospital. Journalists were also at the hospital and asked about the four-year-old boy’s condition. Representatives of the delegation, including Rabbi Nof and Dr. Margalit, expressed their support for the family and condemned the act of terrorism. Rabbi Nof said he was conveying his support on behalf of many citizens in Israel, as well as UPF members around the world. Dr. Margalit, who offered condolences on behalf of his community, said that his community is praying for the boy’s recovery.
A report about the visit was published in a local Israeli-Arab newspaper and received many positive responses from readers.
Peace and Security Forum on "The Role of Religion in Peace-Building"
Washington, D.C., USA—On July 14, the UPF Office of Peace and Security Affairs held a forum on “The Role of Religion in Peace-Building.”
Miracles of Forgiveness at Central African Conference
Bangui, Central African Republic—One month after the Bangui National Forum, UPF invited 80 leaders to discuss the forum’s recommendations.
Peacebuilding Principles Called Antidote to Extremism
Melbourne, Australia—UPF peacebuilding principles could counter fundamentalism and extremism, said members of the Peace Council of the state of Victoria.
Jerusalem Interfaith Forum: Holy Places as an Anchor of Stability
Jerusalem, Israel—At a time when tensions are high in the Middle East, the Jerusalem Interfaith Forum convened to discuss “The Holy Places in Jerusalem as an Anchor of Stability in a Long-Term Arrangement.”
Political Arrangements Discussed at Jerusalem Forum
Jerusalem, Israel—The Jerusalem Peace and Security Forum co-organized a discussion on political arrangements that can ensure long-term stability in Jerusalem, on May 28.
Nigerian Former President Honored as Peace-Loving Global Citizen
Abuja, Nigeria—UPF has awarded the outgoing Nigerian president a Peace-Loving Global Citizen certificate in recognition of his conduct during the recent Nigerian election.
Africa Day Observed in Switzerland
Bern, Switzerland—Africa’s contributions to world peace were the focus of UPF-Switzerland’s commemoration of Africa Day.
Central African Religious Leaders Urged to ‘Forgive, Love, Unite’
Bangui, Central African Republic—“Forgive, Love, Unite” was the theme of an interreligious meeting that was attended by more than 85 religious leaders.
Security Implications of ISIS Discussed at Jerusalem Forum
Jerusalem, Israel—The Jerusalem Peace and Security Forum gathered on April 27 to discuss the implications of and the security dangers Israel faces with ISIS’ expansion in the Middle East.
Peru Peace Council to Work ‘within Walls and outside Walls’
Lima, Peru—The newly established UPF-Peru Peace Council met to form four committees and to review plans for its work in 2015.
Forum Ponders Changes after Elections in Israel
Jerusalem, Israel—Following the decisive victory of the Likud party in the March 17, 2015, elections, the Jerusalem Forum for Peace and Security met to discuss how this may influence Israel's foreign and security policies.
Nigerian Volunteers Train for Peaceful Elections
Abuja, Nigeria—Following the postponement of general elections, UPF-Nigeria, in partnership with the West Africa Network of Election Observers (WANEO), has intensified efforts to train volunteers in peaceful election practices.
Ambassadors for Peace Ready to Ensure Peaceful Nigeria Vote
Abuja, Nigeria - Ambassadors for Peace came from all over Nigeria to be trained as election observers to ensure that upcoming elections will be peaceful.
UPF-Bangladesh Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Paris
Dhaka, Bangladesh - With the strongest possible language I condemn the brutal and inhuman activities of the perpetrators of the terror attacks of Jan. 7 and Jan. 9, 2015, in Paris, France, who claim to be Muslims.
Israel Forum Mulls Dangers in Syria
Modi'in, Israel - “Redeployment of Israel's Northern Border: The Civil War in Syria” was the topic of the Dec. 25 Jerusalem Peace and Security Forum.
Russian Ambassadors for Peace Try to Make Solidarity Real
Moscow, Russia - Russian Ambassadors for Peace wanted their discussions on Dec. 20, 2014, to make human solidarity more than just a beautiful slogan on International Human Solidarity Day.
Forum Explores Opportunities in Sinai Peninsula
The Sinai Peninsula was the focus of the Jerusalem Peace and Security Forum on Dec. 18, 2014.
Forum Considers Recognition of Palestinian State
Modi'in, Israel - “Security Council Recognition of a Palestinian State: Implications for the State of Israel” was the topic of the Jerusalem Peace and Security Forum.