Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – A two-day Peace Leadership Seminar, organized by UPF-Tanzania at the Tulivu Centre in Dar es Salaam from May 23-24, 2026, focused on the theme “Building One Family Under God: Principles of Peace and Service.” The seminar brought together 65 participants from faith communities, youth groups and civil society organizations. Facilitated by Prof. Benezer David Mwang’ombe, secretary general of UPF-Tanzania, the training covered the UPF founders’ vision an

In the closing days of “UPF’s Month of Family,” Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Bahá’í and Buddhist observances form an unusual sequence that points toward memory, sacrifice, spiritual renewal and care across generations. For several days at the end of May 2026, the calendar seems to slow down and listen. One religious tradition after another enters a sacred season. Jewish families gather for Shavuot. Christians celebrate Pentecost. Muslim communities prepare for Eid al-Adha. Bahá

On May 21, 2026, the international community observes the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a United Nations observance led by UNESCO. It was declared by the UN General Assembly in 2002 following UNESCO’s adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. The day draws attention not only to the richness of the world’s cultures, but also to the role of intercultural dialogue in peace and sustainable development. It recalls a central truth

Manila, Philippines – The International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), a UPF initiative, organized an international webinar on May 20, 2026, under the theme “The Role of Parliamentarians in Reducing Polarization: Advancing Unity Beyond National, Religious, Ethnic and Political Divides.” The event brought together distinguished parliamentarians, peace leaders, diplomats and participants from diverse regions to address the growing challenges of polarization a

Bratislava, Slovakia – As in past years, UPF-Slovakia held an event to commemorate the UN International Day of Families. This year Mr. Patrik Daniška, a lawyer and prominent figure from the Catholic movement, was the guest speaker at the event on May 18, 2026. His talk was entitled “The Struggle for Life and Family – How to Succeed in It?” Mr. Daniška is chairman of the Institute for Human Rights and Family Policy, and is best known as the main organizer of the National March

Biel/Bienne, Switzerland – Ambassadors for peace and friends gathered on May 11, 2026, to mark the International Day of Families in Biel/Bienne and on Zoom. The program focused on the spiritual dimension of individual and family life. Texts featuring major religions on “separation from the world” were read and explained by the ambassadors for Peace onsite and online, from Europe and Africa. The texts in World Scripture, A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts – an interfaith

Amsterdam, Netherlands – On Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2026, UPF-Netherlands and Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) organized a celebration of the UN International Day of Families. The UPF-Netherlands secretary general, Dr. Willem Koetsier, warmly welcomed everyone, before reading the United Nations’ explanation of this year’s theme for the day: “The theme of the 2026 observance, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” underscores how widening inequalities are sha

Moscow, Russia – An evening program, “Time of Family Happiness,” was held at the Peace Embassy in Moscow on May 16, 2026, dedicated to the International Day of Families. The event opened with a formal address by Ms. Tatiana Kuznetsova, coordinator of the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) in Russia. Ms. Kuznetsova shared her understanding that an ideal family requires the presence of God, and that God awaits an invitation to enter every home where

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – To commemorate the UN International Day of Families, UPF-Dominican Republic held a seminar at the federation’s headquarters in Santo Domingo on May 17, 2026. The program addressed fundamental topics such as the value of the family, as well as the causes and consequences of family degradation. The 70 participants included distinguished figures of Dominican society. Mr. Bernardo Cruz, national director of the Family Federation for World Peace

Parndorf, Austria – The Parndorf Memorial Site is a World War II and Holocaust memorial that commemorates local residents who were killed by the Nazi regime for their Jewish faith, political views or physical and mental disabilities. On May 17, 2026, UPF-Burgenland, in cooperation with the site’s creators and the Municipality of Parndorf, hosted the fourth Festival of Peace – a moving event honoring those victims. The well-attended ceremony was characterized by a dignified y

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire –The Federation of Tourism Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (FENITOURCI) and UPF-Côte d’Ivoire signed a partnership agreement on May 16, 2026, at the headquarters of the National Tourism Council, aimed at training 16,080 young people in tourism-related professions, while simultaneously promoting values of peace and social cohesion. The initiative, which will be deployed across all 201 communes of Côte d’Ivoire, seeks to train and support the professional integ

Paris, France – In conjunction with the International Day of Families and the International Day of Living Together in Peace, celebrated by the United Nations on May 15 and 16, respectively, the UPF-France and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) France organized a gathering on the theme, “Living Together in the Family and in Society” at the Espace Barrault in Paris on May 16, 2026. In front of a full audience representing a particularly diverse public, three speakers