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: Genie Kagawa, director of the UPF Executive Office, and Lynn Walsh, director of the UPF Office of Marriage and Family Education
New York, United States—During the United Nations General Assembly 2016, an unprecedented 25 of 30 side events were organized in collaboration with faith-based organizations.
- Written by: UPF-Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador—Members and guests of UPF-Ecuador participated in the UN Habitat III Conference and a side event on sustainable cities supported by UPF International.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—To honor the U.N. International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UPF-Argentina’s Cycle Ambassadors program held a workshop on violence prevention.
- Written by: UPF-Sri Lanka
Ampara, Sri Lanka—UPF together with the UN and the government of Sri Lanka celebrated International Youth Day 2016 on August 13.
- Written by: UPF-Israel
Haifa, Israel—UPF and the Women’s Federation for World Peace in Israel co-organized a seminar in observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
- Written by: UPF-India
New Delhi, India—Seventy people attended an event UPF and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification co-organized to celebrate International Day of Yoga 2016.
- Written by: UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru in partnership with the NGO Gran Fraternidad Universal held a celebration of the International Day of Yoga 2016.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, director, UPF Executive Office Chapter: United States
New York, United States—The Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) held its annual meeting with the theme “Meeting the Challenges of Development and Dignity.”
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—Students from Buenos Aires participated in a second event UPF co-organized to raise awareness about the importance of and the effects of pollution on water.
- Written by: Emiljun Rapada, national director, Youth UPF USA
New York, United States—UPF participated in two conferences hosted by the UN NGO Committee on the Family and the Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—To honor World Water Day, UPF-Argentina co-organized an event to raise awareness among youth about the importance of water.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina commemorated the Universal Children’s Day 2015 with an event and a discussion on protecting children’s rights and the opportunity the UN SDGs presents to advance this.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—Argentina’s volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations were recognized at a special awards presentation organized by UPF in celebration of UN International Volunteer Day.
- Written by: UPF-Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka—UPF and the UN Information Centre conducted a national tour in Sri Lanka from December 4 to 13, 2015 to raise awareness of and promote the UN SDGs.
- Written by: UPF-Japan
Tokyo, Japan—UPF-Japan celebrated UN Day 2015 on October 17 with an event and discussion on how to implement the UN Alliance of Civilizations’ programs in local communities in the country.
- Written by: Genie Kagawa, director, UPF Executive Office
New York, USA—The Ninth Annual “Spirit of the United Nations” Awarding Ceremony took place at the Church Center for the United Nations.
- Written by: UPF-International
In December 2015, the COP21, will aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate. The following is the UPF International Statement regarding the COP21, and UPF's vision on stewardship of the environment...
- Written by: UN Webcast
United Nations, New York - UPF helped organize and support the 10th Global Forum on Human Settlements held in the United Nations on October 30.
- Written by: UPF International
New York, USA—UPF celebrated International Day of Yoga on June 21 at New York's Lincoln Center as a co-sponsor of a program organized by the Global Citizen Forum.
- Written by: Mrs. Eugenia Kagawa, Executive Office, UPF International
New York, United States—Forty Ambassadors for Peace from UPF-Korea took part in a seminar at the UN on May 13, 2015 in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—To commemorate the UN International Day of Friendship, UPF-Argentina appointed 22 new Ambassadors for Peace.
- Written by: Robin Marsh, secretary general, UPF-UK
London, United Kingdom—Raising awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals that will come into effect in 2016 was the focus of a meeting held by UPF-UK.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina — Addressing the forum “Water for Our Future,” Mr. Miguel Werner, secretary general of UPF-Argentina, explored ethical issues connected to human use of water.
- Written by: Gregory Stone, regional secretary general, UPF-Oceania
Melbourne, Australia—UPF-Australia has inaugurated a Peace Council in the state of Victoria as a model for other Australian states and eventually for a National Peace Council.