Building on international efforts within the United Nations agenda on a culture of peace and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, World Interfaith Harmony Week , observed annually during the first week of February, provides an international framework for dialogue and cooperation among religious communities. The week was established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution 65/5 of October 20, 2010, following a proposal introduced at the General Assembly

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – In conjunction with World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF-Malaysia co-organized a community clean-up and charity program at Seri Setia New Village in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on January 31, 2026, highlighting interfaith cooperation through practical service. The program was jointly organized with the Village Development and Security Committee of Seri Setia New Village and Petaling Jaya City Council, with support from SWAN Association, Women’s Federatio

Bangkok, Thailand – In support of World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF-Thailand organized a Religious Youth Service (RYS) camp on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The objective was to provide youth with the opportunity to study and learn about different religions while engaging in collective community service. This was designed to cultivate a mindset of love, unity, and self-sacrifice for the sake of others and the public good, the foundations of sustainable peace. A total of 75 p

Vienna, Austria – Commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week, on January 30, 2026, UPF-Europe and the Middle East, in cooperation with the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna, the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations (CFBO), Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), held a conference on the theme “The Relevance of Religions for a Peaceful World Order” at the UN Vienna International Center, with 200 guests in attenda

London, United Kingdom – Surveys have shown that 1 in 4 people in England experience a mental health challenge each year. With this reality in mind, UPF-UK held its Second Mental Health Awareness Event on January 30, 2026, focusing on “Dealing with Depression: A Journey of Understanding and Hope.” The event aimed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and create a safe, supportive space for learning, dialogue, and community connection. The program opened with a UPF introduction

On January 28, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation joins the United Nations in observing the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence , proclaimed by General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/269 , adopted on March 4, 2025 under the agenda item “Culture of Peace.” The resolution presents peaceful coexistence as a positive and participatory process that encourages dialogue and addresses disputes through mutual understanding and cooperation. It is grounded in the Charter of the

On January 27, the Universal Peace Federation ( UPF ) joins the United Nations in observing the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust . This date marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, an event that exposed the scale of human cruelty and the devastating impact of hatred, antisemitism, and moral indifference. Established by Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly 60/7 of 1 November 2005, “Holocaust remembrance,” th

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

January 24 marks the International Day of Education , established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 73/25 in 2018. Each year, this observance invites the global community to reflect on education as a foundation for personal integrity, social cohesion, and sustainable peace. The Universal Peace Federation ( UPF ) understands education not merely as a technical system of instruction, but as a formative process that shapes character, values, and social responsibility

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

Düsseldorf , Germany – An address on the plight of women in Afghanistan drew a sympathetic audience to a program hosted by UPF-Düsseldorf on January 22, 2026. The guest speaker, Ms. Muzhada Ahmadi , who has lived for three years in Germany with her parents and siblings, reported about the situation in her native land. In Afghanistan she had worked as a journalist, but due to political and social developments after the Taliban took power, is no longer able to practice her pr

Honiara, Solomon Islands – In solidarity with UPF’s global campaign, ”100 Days of Harmony and Hope” which ended on February 1, 2026, a Hyojeong Character Education training program was held for school leaders and teachers of the New Hope Academy in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from January 12-16, 2026, with follow-up implementation discussions from January 19-22, 2026. In a country with a median age of 21.8 years, the New Hope Academy school community recognizes that efforts to