Youth UPF
UPF offers young people the opportunity to develop their capacity as leaders and peacebuilders and work together for the greater good, alongside people of many nations, cultures and religions. Student clubs and other programs empower youth to create positive change in their communities, nations and world. For information about Youth UPF activities in Europe, click here.
- Written by: Bogdan Pammer and Althea Corlett, Co-Directors of Creating Change
Qawra, Malta - Thirty-six young people from the United Kingdom, Finland, Austria, Italy, Malta, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Palestine gathered in Malta Oct. 20-27 to share experiences and explore perspectives on the topic of creating “real social change.”
- Written by: Dmitry Oficerov, UPF-Siberia
Novosibirsk, Russia - The friendly staff of the Library for Family Readings in Novosibirsk arranged an unusual celebration of the White Crane Poetry Festival on Oct. 22. It was established by the national poet of Dagestan, Rasul Gamzatov (1923-2003), in memory of the soldiers who died on battlefields in all wars. The memorable meeting was attended by students, veterans, and mothers of dead soldiers.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - A colorful art festival and day of solidarity in Buenos Aires on Oct. 19 raised funds for UPF-Argentina's many initiatives and activities. Anticipating Mother’s Day, which was celebrated the following day, UPF's Peace Embassy featured displays of artwork and international cuisine for people to sample while enjoying lively music and dance numbers.
- Written by: Drmitry Samko, UPF-Moscow
Kazan, Russia - More than 100 students from schools all over Russia and other nations participated in the Third International Model UN Oct. 11-15, 2013, in Kazan, capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan.
- Written by: UPF - Nepal
Five-day seminars on UPF's Principles of Peace are being offered in various parts of Nepal. A seminar in Kathmandu August 5-9 attracted participants from Nepal and India. An overflow audience of 350 attended the August 15-19 seminar in Biratnagar. Leaders from four faith traditions demonstrated their commitment to interreligious cooperation by jointly pouring water onto a plant at the opening of the August 25-29 seminar in Nepalgunj.
- Written by: Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Director of Education, UPF-Asia, and photojournalist
Kathmandu, Nepal - More than 150 youth from six nations gathered together in Kathmandu on August 15 to celebrate the UN International Youth Day 2013.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Seliger Lake, Russia - The Young Ambassadors for Peace Eurasian Club organized a simulation of a World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference at the annual Seliger International Youth Forum on July 24-25.
- Written by: UPF - UK
London, UK - The Youth Achievement Awards 2013 presentation on July 10 was an inspirational occasion featuring the sincere idealism of 12 young adults. Convened by the Universal Peace Federation and the Women's Federation for World Peace in the House of Commons, it was hosted by Mr. Virendra Sharma MP.
- Written by: UPF - Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Envoy on Youth, arrived in Sri Lanka on July 4 for a three-day official visit. The visit offered an opportunity for Dr. Chula Senaratne, Secretary General of UPF-Sri Lanka and national director of Religious Youth Service, to meet with the UN envoy.
- Written by: UPF - Indonesia
Medan, Indonesia - Twelve young members of UPF's Asian Leadership Training are spending May and June in Medan on the Indonesian island of Sumatra joining Indonesian youth in meeting people from Sumatra's diverse religious communities and experiential learning.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Kondopoga, Russia - A youth conference promoting harmony, peace, and tolerance took place in the Karelian town of Kondopoga, on May 30.Students of local schools, lyceums, and colleges, as well as students from Petrozavodsk gathered together in the hall of the Youth Cultural Center.