Nairobi, Kenya - As newly-appointed leaders of UPF-Africa, Dr. Katsumi Otsuka, Regional President, and Kathy Rigney, Regional Chair, invited key UPF leaders to a continental meeting and paid a visit to Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya, on July 11.

Nairobi, Kenya - UPF-Kenya and its network of Ambassadors for Peace and families hosted a celebration of the UN International Day of Families in Nairobi on May 15 with a wide variety of cultural events, educational speeches, and activities.

Nairobi, Kenya - UPF-Kenya celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 24 at the court of the Chief Kadhi in Nairobi. The event began with words of welcome and an invocation by young Muslim girls by chanting a message of peace to mark the UN International Day of Peace together with the Muslim Eid ul-Fitr celebration of the end of Ramadan.

Nairobi, Kenya - The UPF International Chairman Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, on his first visit to Kenya, was welcomed by the Speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, the Hon. Kenneth Marende, at a meeting of several hundred Ambassadors for Peace in Nairobi on February 27.

Each of you are demonstrating that you are making a difference by standing up for the ideal of peace that transcends race and religion — universal peace. This is the key to our coexistence and development. It goes to show how small acts when multiplied across the world by millions of people can transform it.

The French novelist and philosopher Victor Hugo once said that “More powerful than an invading army is an idea whose time has come.” Rev. and Mrs. Moon have led the way in the promotion of interfaith dialogue, the ethics of living for the sake of others, and service to God, family and nation.

Nairobi, Kenya - Two hundred trees were planted in Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa, on January 21, the start of a “Peace Highway to Kibera.” In addition, ground was broken for a unit of ten public toilets, the first of 13 units of public toilets that will improve sanitation for the million-plus people of Kibera who are packed into 1.5 square kilometers of Kenya’s capital.

Photos of a character education program for school officials and community leaders in Kenya in March 2010. A seminar on character education was held December 11 at the Peace Embassy in Nairobi.

Nairobi, Kenya - Ambassadors for Peace from across the country gathered in Nairobi to welcome the UPF International President and Secretary General and to take part in a meeting convened by UPF Kenya on November 3. A Japanese representative of Team Africa outlined a new environmental initiative in which Japanese Ambassadors for Peace will work with Kenyans on environmental initiatives.

Nairobi, Kenya - Dr. Markendey Rai, Chief of Global Parliamentarians, gave the keynote address at UPF-Kenya's celebration of the International Day of Peace on September 21. Dr. Hasmukh Dawda, Chair of UPF-Kenya welcomed the audience, which included Youth Ambassadors for Peace and members of "Veterans for Peace."

Nairobi, Kenya - Two days before a national referendum, UPF-Kenya organized a Peace Campaign on August 2 that included planting trees symbolizing the various faith communities in Kenya. Trees were planted representing Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Brahma Kumaris. The Nigerian ambassador to Kenya called for a peaceful referendum as he dedicated a tree of peace. Representatives of the various faith communities joined in prayers for peace.

As the UN General Assembly held its annual meeting in New York September 23 to 30, UPF leaders held consultations with heads of delegations of Palau, Tanzania, Nepal, Kenya, and Guinea to discuss future projects and partnerships which could lend assistance to their nations.

Nairobi, Kenya - The International Young Leaders Summit of the Universal Peace Federation and the Youth Federation for World Peace took place March 19-21 in Nairobi, Kenya with the theme: “The Role of Young Leaders in Achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals and Peace Building in Africa.” Kenya Jaycees President Vincent Rapando reported that this was the first event of its kind in Kenya.   

Hardly did we know that the tree-planting project along the Nairobi River would become such a lively event with energetic volunteers from all over Nairobi and its environs working consistently in a display of unity.