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-Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand—More than 1 million people participated in events in Thailand to commemorate the International Day of Peace 2015.
- Written by: Simon Amare, secretary general, UPF-Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—UPF-Ethiopia marked the UN International Day of Peace with a forum under the UN theme “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All.”
- Written by: Mykhailo Ilin, secretary general, UPF-Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine—International Day of Peace was celebrated in Ukraine with friendly competitions in mini-football between teams of students.
- Written by: Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, secretary general, UPF-Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria—UPF-Nigeria observed the 2015 UN International Day of Peace with special programs in the capitals of two states.
- Written by: Rita Salaris-Lichtenberg, chair, Women’s Federation for World Peace-Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands—The 2015 UN International Day of Peace was observed in the Netherlands with a benefit dinner to support the Children’s Hospital in Pyongyang, North Korea.
- Written by: UPF-Costa Rica
Guadalupe, Costa Rica—UPF celebrated the International Day of Peace with events in four countries in Central America and the Caribbean: Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica.
- Written by: Mr. Alan Wilding, director, UPF-Western Canada
Vancouver, Canada—The Vancouver Interfaith Forum celebrated the International Day of Peace with an event on “The Emerging Culture of Love and Compassion.”
- Written by: UPF-Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal—UPF-Nepal celebrated the 10th anniversary of UPF and the International Day of Peace 2015 by providing relief support to young victims of the April 25 earthquake and organizing educational programs.
- Written by: UPF-Israel
Abu-Gosh, Israel—Forgiveness was the theme of an event UPF-Israel organized in observance of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: Rohan Nandkisore, secretary general, UPF-Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland—The celebration of the 2015 International Day of Peace took place in the largest church in Iceland.
- Written by: UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—International Day of Peace was celebrated with events in three cities across Peru, the culmination of weeks of work by Ambassadors for Peace.
- Written by: UPF-India
New Delhi, India—UPF-India commemorated the International Day of Peace with events at PGDAV College in New Delhi and in Orai, Uttar Pradesh.
- Written by: UPF-Sri Lanka
Madurankuliya, Sri Lanka—UPF-Sri Lanka celebrated the International Day of Peace 2015 with a peace walk, where hundreds of students participated, and a program.
- Written by: John Bellavance, vice president, UPF-Australia
Melbourne, Australia—UPF-Australia celebrated the 2015 International Day of Peace together with the 10th anniversary of UPF’s founding.
- Written by: Mihai Calestru, secretary general, UPF-Moldova
Durlești, Moldova—High school students created a “Rose Alley for Peace” in their schoolyard in honor of the 2015 International Day of Peace.
- Written by: Fabrice Djiamdoum, UPF-Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia—Speakers at the 2015 International Day of Peace celebration urged participants to work together to build a better Zambia and a better world.
- Written by: Gani Rroshi, president, FFWPU-Albania
Tirana, Albania—UPF-Albania combined the 2015 International Day of Peace program with a 10th anniversary for UPF and the third anniversary of its founder’s passing.
- Written by: William Nguyen, UPF-Switzerland
Zürich, Switzerland—The 2015 International Day of Peace was celebrated with music, education and a peace march through Switzerland’s largest city.
- Written by: Nidya Pesántez, program specialist, UN Women Ecuador
UN Women sent a message to UPF-Ecuador to share at the chapter’s International Day of Peace 2015 event on September 12.
- Written by: Jacques Marion, president, UPF-France
Paris, France—More than 70 Ambassadors for Peace and guests attended a UPF event held to mark the UN International Day of Peace.
- Written by: Gregor Sattler and Hubert Arnoldi, UPF-Germany
Berlin, Germany—UPF marked the UN International Day of Peace with programs in two of Germany’s major cities.
- Written by: Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon for the International Day of Peace 2015.
- Written by: Miguel Werner, Secretary General, UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina— “Peace in the Heart and Light for the World” is the theme of the UPF-Argentina’s seventh annual International Poetry Contest, which runs from June 1 – July 31.
- Written by: UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru is planning two major events to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace 2015 in September.