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: Trevor Jones, Executive Director, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru - People from all walks of life came to share their hopes and aspirations for peace on the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: Marty Miller, Coordinator for Ambassadors for Peace, Mid-Hudson Valley, New York State, USA
Barrytown, New York, USA - Can a small group, in a small town, of highly motivated and empowered people create a model for the world?
- Written by: UPF-Philippines
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines - Different ethnic groups performed traditional dances at the Global Peace Festival in Mindanao.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The UN Information Centre Director joined community leaders in planting an olive tree symbolizing peace.
- Written by: Muhammad Tahir Tabassum Founder/Executive Director, Institute of Peace and Development
Pakistan - Two organizations have agreed to work together to promote peacebuilding and peacemaking initiatives.
- Written by: UPF-Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - A UN representative read a speech by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
- Written by: UFP-India
Agartala, India - As bomb blasts and Hindu-Christian conflicts continue, people witnessed a gesture of unity and friendship.
- Written by: UPF-USA
Monrovia, California, USA - In a “Pinwheels for Peace” art project, young people decorated pinwheels with messages of peace.
- Written by: UPF-Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium - Representatives of various religions expressed their views on how to develop peace.
- Written by: Ray Banegas, Secretary General, UPF-Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay - "Building a Culture of Peace" was the theme of the peace celebration at the Uruguay National Garden.
- Written by: UPF-Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia - The video "Quest for Peace" was shown at an Ambassadors for Peace meeting.
- Written by: Remy Taupier, UPF-St. Lucia
St. Lucia - “What can we do to promote world peace?” “Go home and love your family!”
- Written by: UPF-Cameroon
Yaoundé, Cameroon - Peace lovers attended a rally and then went to serve at a rehabilitation center.
- Written by: Mrs. Tanui, UPF-Somalia
Mogadishu, Somalia - Somalis celebrated the International Day of Peace by reading passages about peace from the holy scriptures.
- Written by: David Butukanga Kwete, Secretary General, UPF-Niger
Niamey, Niger - Ambassadors for Peace attended a peace celebration at the Sofitel Gaweye Hotel.
- Written by: UPF-New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand - A Marae, a sacred place for the Maori people, was the site of music, dances, a martial arts demonstration, and prayers for peace.
- Written by: Jesus Navarro, Secretary General, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - Volunteers gathered for a three-day service project at the San Martin Orphanage.
- Written by: UPF-Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya - The International Day of Peace 2008 was celebrated at the Peace House.
- Written by: Eugene Ahondjo, Secretary General, UPF-Cote d'Ivoire
Agboville, Cote d'lvoire - Peace activists cleaned a hospital grounds and participated in a football match for peace.
- Written by: UPF International
UPF chapters organized celebrations of the UN International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2008, in 58 nations. The UN set the theme for 2008 as "Human Rights and Peacekeeping."
- Written by: UPF International
Welcome to the UPF resource page for UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
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Flyer |
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Podium SignJPG, PDF and AI Files (Eng. & Blank) 153.5 MB |
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Banner
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Slideshow Header and Web BannerJPG, and AI Files (Eng.) 15.7 MB |
- Written by: UPF-International
This age of globalization needs enlightened people in each faith who can examine their sacred writings and traditions and identify the aspects that can benefit all humanity as well as those that preserve each religion's identity. The UN designated the first week of February every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week. UPF calls on people of faith to honor the Divine indwelling in a way that encourages understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths for the well-being of our communities and peace in the world.
UPF's Statement on Interreligious Dialogue
Suggestions for programs:
- Invite representatives of different faiths to offer prayers (See sample readings from various faiths in English | French | Russian | Spanish).
- Organize a ceremony with representatives of different faiths each lighting a candle or pouring water into a common bowl.
- Invite performers from various traditions to offer music or dances.
- Host a forum.
- Study sacred texts (choose a theme from World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts).
- Show and discuss a video (sample documentaries about interreligious understanding and reconciliation).
- Work together to meet a community need (see examples of Religious Youth Service projects).
Resources
The UN Webpage on the World Interfaith Harmony Week
Backgrounder about World Interfaith Harmony Week
Statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
World Interfaith Harmony Week observance at the UN General Assembly Hall, February 7, 2012
World Interfaith Harmony Week was commemorated at the UN for the first time on February 7, 2012. The President of the 66th Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, said in announcing the event in the General Assembly Hall: "In our conflict-ridden world, I believe it is important to recognize the historical good done by people of all faiths in many of the areas of the work of the United Nations as well as the current successful partnerships in various parts of the world between UN agencies and religious groups particularly in meeting the humanitarian needs of disaster-stricken people." [Read more]
Photos of UPF-related observances of World Interfaith Harmony Week were included in the video shown at the Feb. 12, 2014 World Interfaith Harmony Week program at the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber in New York, with the theme "A Vital Key for Peace and Development."
- Written by: UPF International
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UPF Statement
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- Written by: Anja Brina, secretary general, UPF-Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, Germany—A presentation was given about experiences during the Bosnian War, “The Power of Forgiveness.”