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: Robert Bentele, secretary general, UPF-Munich
Munich, Germany—UPF-Germany commemorated the UN's World Interfaith Harmony Week by holding an interfaith prayer breakfast.
- Written by: Hubert Arnoldi, secretary general, UPF-Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany—Reincarnation and karma were discussion topics of the UPF celebration.
- Written by: Elena Knyazeva, UPF-Voronezh
Voronezh, Russia—The fourth in a series of online interviews focused on a Russian Orthodox clergyman.
- Written by: Miguel Werner, President, UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—A fraternal meeting was held by IAPD and Ladies in Interreligious Dialogue (DDI) during UN World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023.
- Written by: Claus Dubisz, secretary general, UPF-Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany—What kind of spiritual environment best promotes human development?
- Written by: Steinar Murud, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—In cooperation with Norway’s largest mosque, UPF organized the program “Prayer for Peace” in honor of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, chairman, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—Dr. Alexander Shapiro-Suliman, secretary general of the Alliance of the Peoples of the World, was the guest.
- Written by: David and Patricia Earle, UPF-Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom—“Speaking Truth to Power” described constructive engagements with decision makers and the role of faith to provide a safe space and environment for honest conversations.
- Written by: UPF-Japan
Taicheng, Taiwan—The IAPD-Japan and UPF-Taiwan held a symposium on religious persecution and reconciliation and development in observance of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Carlo Zonato, UPF-Italy
Rome, Italy—Eight speakers and an audience of 58 joined the online discussion to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week and UN International Day of Human Fraternity.
- Written by: Maria Nazarova, president, UPF-Russia
Yekaterinburg, Russia—IAPD-Russia Celebrated UN World Interfaith Harmony Week by interviewing the mufti of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Irkutsk Region (Baikal Muftiate).
- Written by: Andrei Eșanu, secretary general, UPF-Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova—UPF held an intercultural festival highlighting seven cultures that have a presence in Moldova.
- Written by: Elena Knyazeva, UPF-Voronezh
Voronezh, Russia—UPF-Russia commemorated UN World Interfaith Harmony Week with a visit to a synagogue.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, chairman, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—UPF-Russia held the first of a series of online interviews with religious leaders.
- Written by: Fabrice Djimadoum
Lusaka, Zambia—IAPD and UPF joined the rest of the world to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Peter Haider, president, UPF-Austria
Vienna, Austria—UPF co-sponsored a World Interfaith Harmony Week event at UN headquarters in Vienna.
- Written by: Dr. Trevor Edward Jones, President, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—Distinguished religious leaders gathered to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Heiner Handschin and Chantal Chételat Komagata, UPF-EUME
Geneva, Switzerland—UPF co-sponsored a World Interfaith Harmony Week event with the World Council of Churches.
- Written by: UPF-Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador—A celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week was held at the Bahá’í National Headquarters in Quito.
- Written by: UPF-New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand—In observance of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF and the IAPD hosted an event on the theme, “Creating Harmony in a World in Crisis.”
- Written by: Karsten Nielsen, UPF-Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark—“Brotherhood Between Religions” was the theme of the UPF event.
- Written by: Dr. Juraj Lajda, UPF-Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic—"If there is no peace among religions, there can be no peace in the world.”
- Written by: UPF-Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan—UPF and the IAPP in Taiwan held an interreligious prayer meeting in celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Peter Haider, president, UPF-Austria
Vienna, Austria—UPF and affiliated organizations celebrated World Interfaith Harmony Week with an interfaith conference.