Odivelas, Portugal – The fourth annual Week of Harmony and Interreligious Dialogue took place in Odivelas from October 12 to 17, 2026. Promoted by the Odivelas Municipal Council, this initiative was dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among various religious and cultural communities. UPF-Portugal collaborates annually with the municipality on this event. Over the course of six days, the program brought people together to connect and share experience

Lima, Peru – In an atmosphere of profound civic spirit, remembrance and international fraternity, UPF-Peru hosted a ceremony for the presentation of flags from Argentine veterans of the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War to Peruvian veterans of that conflict – a formal event of historical significance that strengthened the bonds of brotherhood between Peru and Argentina. The event, held on October 10, 2026, in the UPF-Peru auditorium, also featured the presentation of two notable li

Biel, Switzerland – To commemorate the International Day of Peace, the local Biel chapter of UPF-Switzerland organized an outing of ambassadors for peace on September 30, 2026. Thirteen people spent eight hours on a boat touring the three lakes of Biel, Neuchâtel and Morat. For the first 3 ½ hours they met in four different groups of three and discussed the following four topics simultaneously: Sharing universal principles and values Contributing to the well-being of youth E

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Civil society leaders, UPF ambassadors for peace, and women leaders joined to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace on September 27, 2026, in Santo Domingo, under the theme “Transforming the Future, Investing in peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day: Family and Youth.” The event was co-sponsored by UPF-Dominican Republic and the national chapters of Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) and Family Federation for World Peac

Monrovia, Liberia – A two-part program marked the International Day of Peace in Liberia on September 26, 2026, under the theme "Peace Starts With Me.” The event was organized by the New Liberian Women Organization (NETWOGE) in collaboration with UPF-Liberia, and focused on the important role of women in peacebuilding. The program began with a peace parade. All groups assembled at the University of Liberia Fendall Campus Palava Hut at 9:00 am. The march took off at 10:00 am, w

Quito, Ecuador – UPF-Ecuador held its annual International Day of Peace event at its headquarters in Quito on September 26, 2026, on the theme: “Investing in Peace: From Family to Nation, from Nation to the World.” Participants were primarily UPF ambassadors for peace. In addition to those present in person, many joined via Zoom this year as well. In this way the event served as a reunion for peace ambassadors across Ecuador. The event began at 10:00 a.m. with a one-minute si

Sofia, Bulgaria – To celebrate the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Bulgaria held an event at the Peace Embassy in Sofia on September 24, 2026. Participants included local families, ambassadors for peace, longstanding supporters and new guests. Some participants had travelled from as far afield as Croatia and Japan. Participants mixed and mingled in a warm and family-like atmosphere. Among those attending were Mrs. Zoya Paprikova, one of Bulgaria’s first ambassadors for pea

Bamako, Mali – UPF-Mali joined several NGO groups to sponsor a program commemorating the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2026. The event took place at the Youth Center in Commune III of Bamako, and focused on the importance of developing youth leadership in order to guarantee sustainable peace in the nation. Participants included the local representative of UNESCO, a representative of the mayor, peace ambassadors and youth leaders. After the singing of Mali's nati

Düsseldorf, Germany – How can individuals help shape a culture of peace? UPF-Düsseldorf addressed this question at a special event on September 21, 2026, at its headquarters. “Peace Starts with Me – How a Global Culture of Peace Develops from Personal Action” was the theme of the event, timed to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace and connected with its motto: “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere and Every Day.” The focus was on active commitment to a sustai

Dublin, Ireland – To mark the International Day of Peace, on September 20, 2026, UPF-Ireland organized a Peace Road walk to historical sites, following by a luncheon and an afternoon forum. Participants gathered outside Unity House, the headquarters of UPF-Ireland in Dublin, and proceeded to walk to the General Post Office (GPO), the site of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic. This act 110 years ago, when Ireland declared its independence from the United Kingdom, represe

On September 21, the United Nations marks the International Day of Peace under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The observance comes one day before the opening of the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Together, these two themes carry a timely and complementary message: Restoring trust at

Melbourne, Australia – UPF-Australia and the Australian Peace Council brought together 60 community leaders, educators, multicultural representatives and peacebuilders in Melbourne on September 19, 2026, for a special conference marking the United Nations International Day of Peace. Held under the UN theme “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” the conference explored how peace can be strengthened through practical action in families, communities, schools an

Paris, France – The United Nations’ theme for this year’s International Day of Peace – “Investing in Peace for All, Everywhere, Every Day” – brings the concept of peacebuilding very close to home. Reflecting this idea, UPF-France and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) organized a gathering on September 19, 2026, at UPF’s Paris headquarters on the theme “The Family as an Everyday Peacemaker.” The speakers offered thoughtful insights relevant to the complex realitie

Manila, Philippines – The Fusion Fest 2026 Youth Assembly, hosted by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace – Pilipinas (IAYSP-Pilipinas) in partnership with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – Philippines (FFWPU), brought together more than a thousand participants onsite and online from the Philippines and various parts of the Asia-Pacific region. The event took place at the Philippine Christian University in Manila on September 19,

Puerto San Julián, Argentina – Every year, one Argentine city is selected as the main venue for the national Peace Road event, organized by UPF-Argentina. On September 18, the southern city of Puerto San Julián in Santa Cruz province – where the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition landed in 1520 – was introduced as the main venue for Argentina’s 2026 Peace Road, at a lively event in the Teatro Talía Cinema. During the event, led by the municipality’s mayor M

Tirana, Albania – A double celebration marked UPF-Albania’s 21st anniversary and the UN International Day of Peace at the Peace Embassy in Tirana on September 15, 2026. UPF-Albania organized the event together with the Tirana Regional Peace Council. Present were more than120 ambassadors for peace, distinguished personalities from various fields, and special guests from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These celebrations were also in

Agbodrafo, Togo – Representatives from UPF-Togo, led by Mr. E. Augustin Amo-Teyehewa, were invited to participate in the annual family reunion festival of the Gin people, which took place at the Assiakole Royal Palace of Agbodrafo on September 13, 2026. Delegations of the Gin people from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria, as well as Togo, were present. During the event, UPF-Togo held a ceremony to confer the Ambassador for Peace award on the canton chief, King Togbuigan

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

Godomey, Benin – UPF-Benin held a commemoration to mark the 14th anniversary of the ascension of UPF-co-founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon on September 12, 2026, at the Peace Embassy in Godomey. The event, “Remembering the Life and Service of Rev. Sun Myung Moon and the Legacy of UPF,” was organized together with UPF affiliates including the Women’s Federation for World Peace, Family Federation for World Peace, and Youth and Students for Peace. It also celebrated the 21st anniversar

Paris, France – A discussion meeting devoted to the mission and responsibility of UPF Ambassadors for Peace was held on September 5, 2026, at the Paris headquarters of UPF-France. The meeting marked the beginning of a new season of activities for the French network, with a renewed commitment to strengthening their engagement in promoting peace, dialogue and cooperation. Mr. Patrick Jouan, vice president of UPF-France, warmly welcomed the participants, including several new gu