Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria organized a World Interfaith Harmony Week commemoration on January 22. In addition, a youth panel discussion about world religions took place on February 9.

Vienna, Austria - UPF in Austria has established a tradition to invite a country or region of the world to share its Christmas traditions for the annual Christmas event. In this way has audience has enjoyed the Christmas spirit of Russia, Brazil, and Africa during recent years. This year it was the turn of the Nordic countries of northern Europe.

Vienna, Austria - Two young musicians greeted the audience with the language of music, which can be understood beyond culture and nationality, as they arrived for a December 8 conference on "Interreligious Dialogue: The Role of the United Nations and Peace in the 21^st Century."

Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria in cooperation with the ensemble Rondo Danube Vienna organized a Russian-Austrian Concert on November 20 featuring works by Russian and Austrian composers, including Johann Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov, P.I. Tchaikowsky

Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria organized an interreligious service in commemoration of the International Day of Peace on September 18.

Vienna, Austria - Young people from four different religions and cultures spoke on the topic: “Dialogue and mutual understanding among reli­gions” at the UPF headquarters in Vienna on August 7. The event was held in support of International Youth Day, observed on August 12 each year.

Vienna, Austria - “Communicating Change: Youth Perspectives on Peace” was the theme of the European Leadership Conference that opened July 1 at the United Nations building in Vienna. The defining character of this conference was the part that youth played in its organization and operation and their sense of being supported and encouraged by the wisdom, experience, and appreciation of their elders.

Vienna, Austria - A detailed report of the European Leadership Conference "Communicating Change: Youth Perspectives on Peace" held July 1-3, 2011 at the United Nations Building and NH Danube Hotel in Vienna.

Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria hosted a forum on May 14 in honor of the International Day of Families. Six speakers addressed the topic of "Confronting Family Poverty and Social Exclusion." A buffet and concert by Slovakian musicians closed the event.

Vienna, Austria - A Sephardic-Andalusian concert by "Fleur Joyeuse de Jerusalem" drew an audience of more than 100 guests to a celebration of the diverse styles of . . .

Vienna, Austria - More than 70 guests attended a panel discussion on "Radical Change in Egypt: Future prospects in the land of the Pharaohs" organized by UPF-Austria on February 15, just a few days after the fall of the Mubarak regime.

At the close of the UN International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, several European UPF chapters celebrated the Christmas season by hosting multicultural events featuring music, art and food from around the world. See reports from Vienna, Austria; Berlin, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, Germany; and Madrid, Spain.

Vienna, Austria - UPF-Austria hosted an international Christmas party on December 19 featuring Brazilian singer Denise de Macedo. She sang Christmas songs from South and North America and Russia as well as Germany. Peter Haider and Dr. Leo Gabriel reported about the local and international activities of UPF throughout the year. After presentation of Ambassador for Peace certificates, a buffet of Christmas specialties was served.

In today’s interdependent world no nation or group of nations can secure its own prosperity. We are dependent upon each other. Without cooperation with Africa, Europe will not manage to face its challenges. The political developments allow hope that the times of the violent African rulers are ending. Even more, Africa has re-entered the world stage as a participant in the global future. China is already in strategic dialogue with Africa. The West should do the same. It is time to see Africa with different eyes, from a different perspective. It is a continent of the future.