United Nations Relations
As an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the Universal Peace Federation promotes interfaith understanding, sustainable development, strengthening of marriage and family, mediation of conflict, the empowerment of women and the revitalization of the UN. UPF supports the goals of the UN with programs on occasions such as:
- World Interfaith Harmony Week (first week of February)
- International Women's Day (March 8)
- International Day of Families (May 15)
- Global Day of Parents (June 1)
- International Day of Peace (September 21)
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Moscow, Russia - Konstantin Zharinov, coordinator of the North-East Asia Peace Initiative for UPF-Russia, played the role of an expert in relations between North and South Korea during a Model UN hosted by the Russian Humanitarian University in Moscow. This fourth annual student simulation of UN proceedings took place from November 30 to December 3 and was attended by 140 students from Moscow, Novosibirsk, and Kaliningrad.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
St. Petersburg, Russia - An annual youth conference commemorating World AIDS Day took place at the Youth House in St. Petersburg on Nov. 30, 2010.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2010, UPF-Estonia organized an event in a rural high school.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Yekaterinburg, Ryazan, and Kondopoga Russia - Representatives of UPF took part in discussions, debates, and an interreligious gathering in honor of the UN International Day of Tolerance, Nov. 16, 2010.
- Written by: Shine Jose, RYS - India
Chennai, India - On Sept. 21, 2007, UPF, Religious Youth Service and the Gandhian Institutions Chennai commemorated the International Day of Peace in Chennai.
- Written by: Rohan Stefan Nandkisore, UPF-Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland - On Oct. 2, 2010, UPF-Iceland joined hundreds of peace activists in the capital of Iceland to commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and the International Day of Nonviolence.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia - On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2009, UPF-Estonia held an event in support of the efforts made by the United Nations to raise awareness of the suffering caused by this disease.
- Written by: Shine Jose, UPF-India
Chennai, India - Interreligious prayers for peace, non-violence and ceasefire marked the International Day of Peace observance in Chennai on Sept. 21, 2006.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Novosibirsk, Russia - The UN International Day of Friendship was celebrated In the Novosibirsk House of Veterans on July 30 On the initiative of UPF-Siberia, volunteers gathered together to create a "Flowerbed of Peace" and offer it as a gift to the veterans. The central activity was creation of the flowerbed styled as the map of the world with the Pacific Ocean in the center instead of the traditional Atlantic Ocean, as a symbol of peace.
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - "Culture and Creative Economy as Basic Elements for Sustainability" was the topic of a forum at the Vienna International Center (UN headquarters in Vienna) on July 5. It was part of a broad celebration called "Áustria Brasil em Movimento - CarnaViena 2013" organized by ABRASA, an Austro-Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian organization that fosters education, cultural activities, and social integration.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - In preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, June 20-22, 2012, UPF staff participated in a June 4 forum at the New York Office of UNITAR (UN Institute for Training and Research).
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - The magnificent qualities of the human heart, expressed through service to the UN, was celebrated during the Week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, Oct. 22-25, 2012.
- Written by: IIFWP
New York, USA - A UN-US Symposium convened from April 27-28, 2003, at the New Yorker Hotel and the United Nations Headquarters with the theme, Working Together to Solve Critical Global Problems.
- Written by: UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - UPF staff participated in a Feb. 10, 2012 workshop entitled “Key Issues for the Negotiation of the Arms Trade Treaty,” co-sponsored by the UN Institute for Training and Research and the Permanent Mission of Australia.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, UPF Office of UN Relations
New York, USA - Amb. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, president of the 66th Session of the UN General Asembly, received UPF's prestigious Leadership and Good Governance Award at a special Award Ceremony in New York Nov. 15, 2012.
- Written by: UPF International
During the UN's International Year of People of African Descent, UPF chapters organized celebrations of Africa Day, May 25, 2011 showcasing African culture and honoring people of African descent living in ten nations.
- Written by: UPF International
Seoul, Korea - The prestigious UPF Leadership and Good Governance Award was presented in Seoul on March 24 to Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, the Nigerian-born scholar and diplomat who currently serves as the Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - “United by Faith” by Adelina Carrion (Painting: ages 18 and older); “Meeting of the heart” by Mabel Fontau (Drawing: ages 18 and older); “Peace in our hearts” by Sun Corsi (Painting: ages 5 to 17); and “Family: The Key to peace” by Rosalinda Vallejos (Drawing: ages 5 to 17) were selected as first prize winners in the Drawing and Painting Contest “Life Is the Art of the Encounter.” Winners were announced at the International Day of Friendship celebration in Buenos Aires on July 30.
- Written by: Joy Pople
An International Symposium on the United States and the United Nations Oct. 22, 2007, encouraged fruitful dialogue on United Nations Day.
- Written by: UPF - Tajikistan
Dushanbe, Tajikistan - A series of lessons and an exhibition of children’s creative talents commemorated Universal Children's Day, Nov. 20, 2012.
- Written by: UPF - Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - UPF-Brazil and partner organizations participated in interfaith events during the People's Summit Rio+20 June 15-22, 2102.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Moscow, Russia - UPF participated in a round-table forum on Nelson Mandela Day, July 18, 2012, at the State Library of Russia.