IAED, United States – An integral society of the future – i.e. a sustainable, peaceful world – will be realized when the cultural, political and economic spheres are harmonized to enable individuals to attain personal autonomy and freedom. Since the Renaissance and Reformation, the political sphere has shifted from top-down rule by kings to political democracy, and the cultural sphere, previously ruled by popes and bishops, to personal accountability in religion. The economic

IAACP, United States – In times of trouble and turmoil, music has a powerful ability to comfort and console people, regardless of their background. To illustrate this capacity, the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) held a webinar featuring three artists who have used music to overcome adversity. The program was held on September 24, 2026, on the theme “Music as a Healing Agent.” The global director of IAACP, Mr. David Eaton, gave a short introd

IMAP, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), a UPF project, held its monthly webinar on September 22, 2026, titled “Women’s Journey on the Road to Peace.” Following the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, the program brought together three accomplished women to discuss how women's voices, leadership and service can contribute to peacebuilding in families, communities and nations. The first speaker was Ms. Cindy Pfeiffer, c

Montreal, Canada – A sunny Saturday morning was the backdrop for the 8th annual Peace Road Montreal event, honoring the UPF founders’ 1981 initiative to build an international highway of peace across the globe from Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to Santiago, Chile. A visionary project of this magnitude must start somewhere, and it has to gradually garner support of the world’s population to the degree that governments agree to cooperate by building their portions of the ro

St. Georges, Canada – On a beautiful sunny day on August 29, 2026, Lions Club International unveiled a monument and eternal flame in the city of St. Georges, Quebec. UPF was invited to appoint the international president of the Lions Club, Mr. Mark S. Lyon, as an ambassador for peace. Our good friend, Mr. Antoine Nahas of Lions Club Montreal and Quebec coordinator for UPF, Mrs. Isabelle Laurin, facilitated and organized the occasion. Federal and provincial members of Parliam

IAPD, United States – The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) held its Third Global IAPD Prayer for the Nation and the World: “Prayer and World Peace” on August 27, 2026. The program featured five speakers, and was moderated by Ms. Tomiko Duggan, global coordinator of IAPD. Topics focused on interfaith harmony and advancement, with panelists highlighting the significance of personal peace, mutual respect and kindness. Speakers emphasized the necessity

IMAP-North America – Reducing political polarization, rebuilding trust, and promoting respectful dialogue as a pathway to peace – these goals were the focus of a webinar hosted by UPF-North America on August 25, 2026. The program, titled “Respectful Conversations as a Start to Building a Road to Peace,” was sponsored by the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP). It featured authors and Braver Angels leaders Mr. Doug Teschner and Ms. Beth Malow, who discussed their

Washington, D.C., United States – The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) held an event titled “Sisterhood for Peace: One Family Under God” on August 23, 2026, in the Founders’ Room at the Washington Times Building in Washington, D.C. The program featured five women presenters, representing different professions, racial backgrounds, religious and cultural traditions. The program began with an invocation by Ms. Adrienne Barnett from Greater Grace Family

IAED, United States – In the United States, voices from all sides of the political and economic spectrum are raising concerns with the direction of the economy and its effect on social cohesion. From the concentration of economic wealth and power of global corporations, the unaccountability of large bureaucratic institutions to the feelings of many that the system is rigged against them, there is a need to find clarity on central issues and consensus on an upward path toward

Global IAPD – The 2nd Global Interfaith Prayer for the Nation and the World, “Prayer and World Peace,” sponsored by the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), was held on July 30, 2026. Participating in the virtual program were 52 people on Zoom from different parts of the world. Three faith leaders – from Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom – shared their thoughts about the power of prayer and world peace. Patriarch George A. Stallings, Jr.,

IAACP USA – Due to music's profound effect on people, young and old, the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) webinar on July 30, 2026, featured three young artists who are active in their communities in bringing a positive message to young people through their music. These young artists have embraced the ideals that IAACP advocates and they have created music videos that promote the creation of a culture of peace. To open the program, titled "Youn

Washington, D.C., United States – The July 29, 2028 biweekly UPF Stopping the Violence in America webinar featured Mr. Robert Williams, founder and executive director of Keeping Communities On Guard (KCOG), a grassroots organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. The webinar opened with an overview of UPF’s four-year initiative to address gun violence and the evolution of the National Stopping the Violence Best Practices Task Force. Participants were reminded of the initiati

IMAP, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) convened its monthly webinar on July 28, 2026 to examine the state of religious freedom domestically and globally. The program, titled "Let Freedom Ring: Religious Freedom in the US and around the World: Why it Matters Now More than Ever" was hosted by Ms. Peggy Yujiri, executive director of UPF-Colorado. The session featured three panelists: Dr. Aaron Rhodes, Ms. Rachel Miner, and Mr. Dan Fefferman.

United States – Across the United States, UPF chapters celebrated National Parents’ Day in July, with programs honoring exemplary parents, strengthening community partnerships, and promoting the family as the cornerstone of peaceful societies. Twenty-one local chapters held events from July 18 to 26, 2026, recognizing outstanding families and community leaders. Many celebrations featured proclamations from elected officials, musical performances, family tributes, interfaith p

Elizabeth, United States – Maestro David Eaton, global coordinator of the International Association of Art and Culture for Peace (IAACP), gave a presentation at the original L. Ron Hubbard Scientology site in Elizabeth, New Jersey on July 25, 2026. Maestro Eaton was invited to speak at the event by the museum’s curator, Ms. Valery Merritt. Ms. Merritt and her husband Alex were commissioned as Ambassadors for Peace in 2025. The occasion was a Historic Preservation Award Ceremo

Washington, D.C., United States – To mark National Parents' Day – designated as the fourth Sunday in July in the United States – UPF-USA hosted a celebration in the Arbor Ballroom of the Washington Times building in Washington, D.C. on July 25, 2026. The event brought together 170 guests and supporters of UPF to honor exemplary families and promote the importance of strong family values as the foundation of society. Ms. Kaeleigh Moffitt, president of UPF-USA, served as master

IMAP, North America – To highlight World Environment Day, celebrated annually in June, the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) organized a webinar on June 23, 2026, with the support of the Hyo Jeong International Foundation for Environmental Peace (HJIFEP). The speakers explored the relationship between environmental stewardship, spirituality, ethics and sustainable development. Moderated by the IMAP-Canada coordinator, Mr. Pierre Beauregard, the discussion cente

IAACP, United States – A webinar organized by the International Association for Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) on May 28, 2026, featured videos, poetry and song to underscore its theme, “The Transformative Power of the Arts: Building Bridges via Cultural Exchange.” The program began with the video “The Diplomacy of Beauty,” which chronicles the history of support for the performing arts by UPF's founders. Mr. David Eaton, global coordinator for IAACP, then introduced Mr

Montreal, Canada – At a large community center in Montreal, on May 2, 2026 the Lions Club District U-1 of Québec hosted UPF-Canada as a collaborating organization in the service of the larger community in Québec and beyond. Since April 29 the Lions had been convening the annual district meeting of their members in the region, with the presence of prominent international visitors. The partnership between the Lions Club and UPF dates back to August 26, 2023, when a friendship a

Boston, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) USA sponsored a webinar on April 28, 2026, titled “Restoring Excellence in Public Schools: Prioritizing Academics, Merit and Parental Rights." It addressed rising concerns about declining academic performance, increasing ideological content in classrooms, and the erosion of parental influence in education. It was moderated by Ms. Jennifer Trench, executive director of UPF-Western Massachusetts, with