UN International Day of Peace
Each year on September 21, the UN invites all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities and commemorate the International Day of Peace through education and public awareness on issues related to peace. In the quest for peace, UPF and its Ambassadors for Peace around the world organize commemorations of the International Day of Peace each year.
- Written by: UPF - Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua - About 80 people from all walks of the Nicaraguan society gathered on September 21 at the UPF headquarters in Managua to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine - UPF-Ukraine organized two projects in observance of the International Day of Peace: making origami cranes with students at the Gymnasium of Oriental Languages and a football match for peace with students at the Kiev University of Law.
- Written by: UPF - Japan
Kanagawa, Japan - In commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace, a cleanup project organized by UPF-Japan and YFWP-Japan (Youth Federation for World Peace) in cooperation with the Kanagawa Coastal Environmental Foundation was held at Wada-Nahama beach on the Miura Peninsula of Kanagawa Prefecture on September 15. This was the seventh year of environmental projects.
- Written by: UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - UPF-Georgia and its partners took part in the celebration of the International Day of Peace with educational programs and tree planting at two schools, a training program in principles of peace, and publicizing the the International Day of Peace by distributing cards to the public
- Written by: UPF - Gabon
Libreville, Gabon - A lecture about education for peace on the theme "The Family as the School of Love and Peace" took place on September 8 in Libreville in observance of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia - UPF-Estonia organized three programs in observance of the UN International Day of Peace, one for students, another for parents and children, and a third for UPF friends.
- 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.