UN International Day of Peace 2013
The United Nations set the theme for this year's observance as "Education for Peace." For a PowerPoint overview of UPF observances, click here.
"It is not enough to teach children how to read, write and count. Education has to cultivate mutual respect for others and the world in which we live, and help people forge more just, inclusive and peaceful societies." - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
- Written by: UPF - Central African Republic
Bangui, Central African Republic - An International Day of Peace Forum took place on September 19 in the Chamber of the National Transition Council in Bangui with the First Lady as a special guest.
- Written by: UPF - Israel
Haifa, Israel - The UN International Day of Peace was commemorated in Israel by UPF with a conference on September 21 organized in cooperation with the Jewish-Arab Center at Haifa University. The title of the conference was: "The Role of Interfaith Activity in Educating People for Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Canada
Montreal, Canada - Ambassadors for Peace gathered in Montreal in observance of the International Day of Peace on Sept. 23, 2013. A presentation included some background on the history of the Day of Peace as well as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's words on this occasion.
- Written by: UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - In a traditional Norwegian Lutheran Church building in Oslo, the UN International Day of Peace was celebrated with an interfaith forum on Sept. 19, 2013.
- Written by: UPF - Latvia
Riga, Latvia - UPF-Latvia observed the International Day of Peace with presentations on September 20 to secondary school students on the theme "Education for Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana - Prime Minister Samuel Hinds led an International Day of Peace Walk on September 20 along with Ambassadors for Peace and gave a presentation at the Peace Rally held at the headquarters of the Family Federation for World Peace in Georgetown.
- Written by: Eliane Ziké Dakpogan, Publications Director, UPF-Africa
Grand-Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire - Ambassadors for Peace and UPF staff in Cote d’Ivoire gathered at the Mantchan Hotel in Grand Bassam on September 21 to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Australia
The second annual "Peace and Harmony Concert" celebrated the International Day of Peace in Sydney, and a forum in Brisbane, Queensland, explored various dimensions of the UN theme this year, "Education for Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Albania
Tirana, Albania - On the International Day of Peace, September 21, UPF-Albania organized a beautiful event at the Tirana International Hotel in Tirana attended by 120 people.
- Written by: UPF - Brazil
Sao Paulo, Brazil - UPF-Brazil organized a celebration of the International Day of Peace at the Peace Monument in Sao Paulo on September 21. After invocations by various religious leaders, outstanding citizens were presented with a replica of the Peace Monument in recognition of their outstanding contributions to peace.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
UPF-Russia organized a variety of events commemorating the International Day of Peace, September 21, in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Ryazan, Serov, and Volgograd.
- Written by: UPF - Philippines
Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines - For the International Day of Peace, UPF-Philippines organized a pole-planting ceremony, a forum, and a poster-making contest.
- Written by: UPF - Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan - An observance of the UN International Day of Peace in the conference hall of Ibn-e-Sina University in Kabul on September 20 constituted a microcosm of Afghanistan, assembling people from various sections of the society and different ethnic groups, religions, and cultures. The event transformed the dynamics of conflicts into elements of peace and coexistence for some hours.
- Written by: UPF - Liberia
Harper, Liberia - On September 21, UPF-Liberia celebrated the International Day of Peace in both Monrovia, the capital, and Harper, in Maryland County. In Harper, Rev. Gerald B. Coleman, Secretary General of UPF-Liberia, gave the keynote address on the theme of including peace education in the national reconciliation program.
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters celebrated the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2013, with forums, television shows, concerts, poetry competitions, sports events, peace marches, fairs, and other outdoor events.
- Written by: UPF - Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Three conferences took place in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Peace September 14 to 22 in Ouagadougou.
- Written by: UPF - Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal - The UN International Day of Peace was celebrated by UPF-Nepal sponsoring three programs held in the capital region of Kathmandu on September 21. These programs included a national martial arts tournament supported by Nepal’s National Sports Council, a student interaction and mediation co-sponsored with the Shanti Sewa Ashram, and a “Play Soccer for Peace and Reconciliation” competition that included 24 teams.
- Written by: UPF - Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - A UPF-Moldova team appeared on the "Good Morning Show" (Buna Dimineata) on Moldova national television to share about UPF's vision and activities and plans for celebrating the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan - UPF-Taiwan organized an interreligious forum on the theme of "Education for Peace" on September 7 in commemoration of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina -“Peace is a possible dream” was the desire and commitment expressed in different ways in the new edition of the International Day of Peace that the UPF Argentina celebrated with an artistic-cultural-interreligious event on September 22 at the Embassy for Peace (Buenos Aires), this year under the motto “Education for Peace.” Prizes were conferred on the winners of the fifth annual International Poetry contest on the theme “Universal love as a path towards peace,” that included 448 submissions from 30 countries. In addition, an olive tree as planted in Parque de los Patricios of Buenos Aires on September 21.
- Written by: UPF - Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - UPF-Malaysia observed the International Day of Peace in Kuala Lumpur at the UPF Peace Embassy on September 22 with a presentation by Dato' Alfred Ananda Kumaraseri, former Ambassador to Nigeria, on the theme "Education for Peace."
- Written by: UPF - France
Paris, France - On September 21, the French chapters of the Family Federation for World Peace, Universal Peace Federation, and the Women’s Federation for World Peace organized a special meeting in Paris on the occasion of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Germany
Forums, discussions, and prayer services were organized to commemorate the International Day of Peace in six German cities.
- Written by: UPF - Barbados
Bridgetown, Barbados - The Barbados National Peace Council organized a week of activities in commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace, beginning with a church service on Sunday, September 15, and concluding with a tree planting and discussion about domestic violence on the following Sunday, September 22. Programs during the week included presentations on Education for Peace and Resolving Conflict in Marriage and the Family, and an interfaith service at a Hindu temple.