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 - 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.
- Written by: UPF - Paraguay
Asuncion, Paraguay - A seminar on the theme of "Education for Peace" took place on September 20 at the headquarters of UPF in Asuncion with a speech on the theme by Dra. Gladys Molinas Montiel, Vice President of Sun Moon University.
- Written by: UPF - Solomon Islands
Honiara, Solomon Islands - UPF-Solomon Islands organized an education program on Sept. 23, 2013 on the International Day of Peace in partnership with Women's Voice, a national NGO voicing the concerns of women and children.
- Written by: UPF - Dominican Republic
Bonao, Dominican Republic - UPF organized a celebration of the International Day of Peace in Bonao, in Monsinor Nouel province.
- Written by: UPF - Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica - UPF-Costa Rica was part of the Peace Network that organized a peace fair on September 20 at the Plaza de la Cultura in San Jose in celebration of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchú delivered the keynote address at the celebration of the International Day of Peace on Sept. 20, 2013 at the Vienna International Centre.
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - A celebration of the International Day of Peace took place on September 20 at the National Assembly's former Senate Hall.
- Written by: UPF - Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica - Con una feria de paz en la Plaza de la Cultura, se celebró el Día internacional de la paz en Costa Rica el 20 de septiembre.
- Written by: UPF - Peru
Lima, Peru - UPF-Peru celebrated the International Day of Peace in the Congress on September 25. Speakers included the UN Representative, Sra. Rebecca Arias; Congressman Dr. Yonhy Lescano; the Ambassador for Palestine in Peru and Ecuador, Dr. Walid Abdel Rahim; and Dr. Antero Flores Araoz, former Minister of Defense. There was also an Interreligious candle lighting ceremony.
- Written by: UPF - Netherlands
UPF-Netherlands organized International Day of Peace 2013 events in Nijmegen and The Hague.
- Written by: UPF International
The Universal Peace Federation enthusiastically affirms the United Nations International Day of Peace 2013 theme of "Education for Peace." As stated in UNESCO's Constitution, "It is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." Through formal and informal processes of education, each of us is led, guided, and raised up, by parents, teachers, mentors, friends, and colleagues.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Preparatory to the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Nigeria collaborated with the Diamond Crest Foundation (For Youth Education) to host a two-day National Conference July 24-25 on the theme of Education and Youth Development as Tools for Promoting Peace, National Development and Unity.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria - A National Peacebuilding Convocation on Sept. 21 in Abuja featured a keynote speech on “The Role of Education in Building a Culture of Peace and Fostering Global Citizenship.”
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic - The International Day of Peace was observed at a September 18 conference organized by UPF-Czech Republic in partnership with the Civic Institute and Society for Interreligious Dialogue. The conference was hosted by the Cevro Liberal Institute in Prague.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - "Universal love as a path towards peace" is the motto of the fifth annual International Poetry Contest organized by UPF-Argentina in connection with the International Day of Peace 2013, a date set by the UN in 1981 to "commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace in every nation and every people and among them."
- Written by: Hamish Robertson, UPF-Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland - "The Way to Permanent Peace" was the theme of a meeting in the Scottish Parliament on September 12 in commemoration of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - France
Vannes, France - At the Hotel Kyriad in Vannes, UPF-France organized an International Day of Peace forum on Sept. 30, 2012.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria - "Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future" was the theme of a conference held by UPF-Nigeria in Abuja on marriage and family as instruments for peace Sept. 21 and 22, 2012.
- Written by: UPF - Macedonia
Skopje, Macedonia - A UPF conference on Principles and Practices for Lasting Peace and Security in Macedonia and the Wider Balkans took place at FON University in Skopje on October 6 in commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace and International Day of Non-Violence.
- Written by: Rahman Ali Jawed, UPF-Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan - UPF-Afghanistan celebrated the International Day of Peace in Kabul on September 21 with more than 160 people from different categories of the society attended. This fabulous event was held at the Gharjistan Institute of Higher Education. The program consisted of speeches, messages, cultural presentations, and refreshments.
- Written by: UPF International
Inspired by the theme "Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future" of the UN International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2012, UPF chapters in 33 nations organized programs ranging from academic forums to interreligious ceremonies to poetry contests.