Washington, D.C., United States  – As the arrival of spring brought pink and white cherry blossoms to adorn the streets, the Global IAPD Peace Initiative hosted a Japanese tea ceremony and Ambassadors for Peace appointment program in the nation’s capital on April 11, 2026.   Friends and supporters of IAPD from the interfaith communities of Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland gathered in the Founders Room at The Washington Times building to participate in this annual progr

IAACP, United States  – The International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) held a webinar on March 26, 2026, featuring four panelists presenting on the power of art and music to create peace and foster healing. The program was hosted and moderated by Mr. David Eaton , global coordinator for IAACP, who introduced UPF’s message about art as a vehicle for unity and peace. He quoted the famous composer and conductor, Mr. Leonard Bernstein, regarding art's power t

IMAP, United States  – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) USA sponsored a webinar on March 24, 2026, titled “Negotiating the Church – State – Religious Freedom Relationship.” It featured two speakers from the Czech Republic, who shared their experiences with religious persecution under the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia and in the newly formed Czech Republic. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Ray Lipowcan,  executive director for UPF-Pennsylvania. Ms.

Washington, D.C., United States  – As part of the observance of Ramadan, the month-long period of fasting and prayer observed by Muslims worldwide, UPF-USA hosted an interfaith iftar dinner on March 1, 2026, at the Washington Times Building in Washington, D.C. Ramadan this year runs from February 17 to March 19. For the past four years, UPF-USA has sponsored an iftar dinner, the meal held after sunset throughout the month of Ramadan, with other organizations. This year, under

Clifton, United States  – Two UPF-USA events in New Jersey celebrated interfaith harmony in the month of February; both were embellished by musical harmony provided by an enthusiastic youth choir.   Mr. Fortune Winter , the newly appointed secretary general of UPF-USA, was the keynote speaker at an event in Clifton, New Jersey on February 21, 2026, focused on interfaith cooperation and religious freedom. Mr. Barry Geller , the UPF regional director, presented six Ambassador f

Montreal, Canada  – To mark World Interfaith Harmony Week, on February 8, 2026 – a cold day typical of Quebec – 40 people gathered to reflect together on the challenges facing our societies in preserving freedom of belief, which is central to the harmony of any society. Those attending in person in Montreal were joined via Zoom by participants from across Canada – Nova Scotia, Toronto area, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Québec City and Vancouver. Among the participants were leaders fro

Washington, D.C., United States  – Two diaspora communities – Japanese and Pakistani – came together on February 7, 2026,  for a shared experience at The Washington Times building in Washington, D.C. UPF’s Global IAPD Peace Initiative hosted a Japanese tea ceremony for the Pakistan diaspora in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week, as an approach to fostering peace, harmony, and understanding between peoples of different faith and cultural traditions.   Ms. Tomiko Dugga

Washington, D.C.. United States  – The International Religious Freedom Summit 2026 gathered the world’s top advocates for religious liberty in Washington, D.C. from February 1-3, 2026. For the third year in a row, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and The Washington Times Foundation (TWTF) served as title partners for this event. The summit drew over 1600 participants from 87 countries, representing dozens of faiths and beliefs. Pastor Paula White-Cain, senior adviser at the

New York, United States  – In support of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UPF sponsored a musical performance by members of the New York City Symphony, in the historic ECOSOC Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York on January 23, 2026. Although founded the previous year, ECOSOC held its inaugural session on January 23, 1946. The commemorative event focused on reviewing its legacy, reaffirming its role in global govern

New York, United States  – On January 22, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation, as an executive member of the NGO Committee on the Family, NY, at the United Nations, co-organized a virtual program titled, "Empowering the Family through National Policies: Insights from Burundi and Italy." Ms. Lynn Walsh, director of UPF’s Office of the Family, opened the program and welcomed the two high-level speakers. The program followed the Chatham House Rule, by which the names of comment

IMAP, Canada  – This end-of-year webinar, in which UPF-Canada partnered with the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), featured Dr. Massimo Introvigne , Dr. Franco Famularo , and Mr. Isaac Jeong examining the politically motivated persecution of religions under democratic governments in Northeast Asia. The panel discussed recent raids on churches, arrests of pastors, and the implications of these actions. They also addressed the role of anti-cult campaigns, coordi

New York, United States  – The NGO Committee on the Family, NY – of which UPF is an executive member – held a virtual program on November 20, 2025, to review the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar, from November 4-6. The summit aimed to address the largely poor progress in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The expert panel had a special interest in the degree to which the family could potentially accelerate the attainment of Ag

IMAP, United States  – Two media experts addressed the need for ethical journalism and called for alliances to promote this goal in a webinar on October 28, 2025. The program, “Journalism, Free Speech and Media Bias in a Rapidly Changing World,” was organized by the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), an affiliate of UPF-USA. The first speaker was Mr. Larry Moffitt , vice president and executive director of the Washington Times Foundation and secretary general o

New York, United States  – In celebration of the United Nations' 80th anniversary, diplomats, experts, and NGOs convened on International UN Day, October 24, 2025, calling for a reinvigoration of the founding principles of the UN Charter: national sovereignty, human dignity, and the centrality of the family. The missions of Burundi and Djibouti co-sponsored the event at UN headquarters in New York, organized by C-Fam and Campaign Life Coalition, with support from UPF, the Aso

New York, United States  – The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns-NY (CSVGC-NY) organized the annual Spirit of the United Nations Award Ceremony on October 23, 2025, in the Tillman Chapel of the UN Church Center in New York. This year’s theme was “Fostering Foundational Principles for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” This prestigious award marked the 80 th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, honoring the work that individuals have done in suppor

Washington, D.C., United States  – The Washington, D.C. chapter of UPF-USA joined with members of the “Peace Starts With Me Alliance,” including the FFWPU-Capital Family Church and American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), in hosting a Religious Freedom Prayer Luncheon on October 16, 2025. Despite receiving only a week’s notice, 40 faith leaders and community leaders attended the prayer program, which was held in the Beech Room at The Washington Times building. Senior Pas

Vancouver, Canada  – A seminar on the theme “Religious Faith under Attack Worldwide” brought together a group of people who share a...

Click Here to read the full conference report and find links to videos of all the presentations. IAED, United States  – Nine experts addressed the challenge of building a global economy that is fair, just and conducive to peace, in a two-day webinar organized by the International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED) on September 26-27. The international coordinator of IAED, Mr. Roger Wetherall , moderated the program, titled “Toward a Headwing Economy of Fre

Washington, D.C., United States  – The global faith community is experiencing a rise in hostility toward religion and in gun violence, resulting in fear, hatred and division. To counter this hostile climate and affirm the moral and spiritual values shared by all faith communities, the Washington D.C. Office of UPF-USA invited a group of peacemakers to the Washington Times building on September 27, 2025. The event marked the International Day of Peace, and adopted the UN theme

Montréal, Canada  – On the warm and sunny morning of September 13, 2025, UPF-Quebec marked its 8 th  annual Peace Road event in...