Lima, Peru – In partnership with the Creerlo Vocational Training School, UPF-Peru organized the Second International Writers' Congress on the theme "Letters and Peace." The event took place on August 12, 2026, in the UPF auditorium in Miraflores District of Lima, attended by guests from six different countries. The event opened with a prayer by Monsignor Guillermo Cornejo Monzón, Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Lima and president of Caritas Peru. Dr. Trevor Jones, president of U

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

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

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – On August 22, 2026, UPF-Ethiopia organized a conference at the Dashen Hall of Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa. The purpose was to introduce the vision of peace of UPF’s founders, and also the "Five Principles of Peace" to 20 special guests. The conference was held in support of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Forum launched by the Prime Minister’s Office to reconcile all Ethiopians and encourage unity for peace and prosperity. The government has invited

Kathmandu, Nepal – UPF-Nepal, in collaboration with Nirvana Academy, organized a program to mark UN Humanitarian Day on August 19, 2026 under the theme, “Celebrating Humanity, Inspiring Solidarity: Restoring Trust – What Can Be Done for Peace Now?” The approximately two-hour program brought together 127 participants from diverse sectors of society, including humanitarian and social workers, educators, artists, youth representatives, business professionals, women leaders, jour

Abuja, Nigeria – In support of World Humanitarian Day, UPF-Nigeria organized a conference on the theme “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities: The Fundamental Role of Women and Family in Peacebuilding.” The event took place on August 19, 2026, at the UPF Secretariat in the Peace Embassy in Abuja. The purpose was to recognize and strengthen the often-overlooked contributions of women and families to sustainable peace at the grassroots level. The prog

South and Central America – Art and culture need no translation to communicate shared values, emotions and ideals across national borders. Speakers from Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru and the United States joined a webinar organized by UPF-Latin America and the Caribbean and the International Association of Art and Culture for Peace, on August 14, 2026, to share their views on the theme “From Barriers to Bridges; Art and Culture that Embrace Peace.” Welcoming remarks were given

Conakry, Guinea – As part of UPF-Africa's 2026 Summer Activities initiative, and in support of a broader culture of peace, UPF-Guinea organized a Marathon for Social Cohesion and Living Together on August 12, 2026, in the urban commune of Ratoma. The marathon covered a distance of 800 meters, from the large Hamadallaye roundabout in Ratoma to the courtyard of the commune's Youth House. Mobilization of participants took place from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, when the march set off under

Paris, France – UPF-France had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Augustin Senghor, mayor of Gorée Island in Senegal, to its headquarters in Paris on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The mayor was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Juliette Senghor, and their daughter. This meeting allowed Mr. Senghor to reflect on his experience at the African Summit in Dakar, hosted by UPF on January 18 and 19, 2018, and the visit of Dr. Hak Ja Han, co-founder of UPF, to Gorée Island. The meeting was a contin

Bogota, Colombia – To commemorate the UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, UPF-Colombia held an event at the Botanical Garden in Bogotá on August 8, 2026. This was the sixth such event under a joint project between UPF-Colombia and the Colombian Assembly of Religions and Spiritualities (ACRE). The gathering of indigenous, religious and spiritual communities included the Huitoto from the Amazon; the Nasa or Páez from Cauca, Muisca, Embera and Yanacona; Chris

San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina – The formal launch of UPF-Argentina’s 12th Peace Road in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy took place on August 5, 2026, at the NIDO Cuyaya community center. The launch was combined with a vigil for peace to mark the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima in Japan, an activity promoted by the Japanese Association of Jujuy and the municipal government, as part of a worldwide movement to abolish nuclear weapons. The event was organized by

IAPP, EUME – The International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP) Europe and Middle East (EUME) hosted a webinar entitled "Re-imagining the United Nations for a New Era of Peace" on July 28, 2026. Ms. Jennifer Lambert, a research fellow for UPF-EUME, served as the moderator, welcoming participants from around the world. She noted that the event was taking place at a significant moment, as the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, continues its 80th General Asse

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Puerto San Julián, a Patagonian town, has been selected as the main venue for UPF-Argentina’s 12th Peace Road series of activities, to take place throughout the year. The decision was announced during an event at the Golden Hall of Buenos Aires City Legislature on July 27, 2026. The town in Santa Cruz province, located more than 2,000 kilometers from Buenos Aires, was chosen by public vote, winning over the other proposals: General Roca (Río Negro),

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

From February 20 to June 1, 2026, UPF invited its chapters, associations, Ambassadors for Peace and partner organizations to take part in the 100 Days of Serving Community campaign. March focused on partnerships, April on service and May on families. The campaign concluded on the United Nations Global Day of Parents. The campaign began with a question: How can an international peace organization become more useful in the communities where its members and partners live? Peace

New York, United States – Following the July 10, 2026, final hearing before the Seoul Central District Court in the judicial proceedings concerning Dr. Hak Ja Han, co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation, UPF issued the following statement: The Universal Peace Federation affirms its profound respect for the judicial process and its confidence that the principles of due process, judicial independence, impartiality, the presumption of innocence, and the rule of law will gu

UPF Summer Events 2026 invite practical contributions from regions, associations, and national chapters ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Universal Peace Federation has launched UPF Summer Events 2026, a series of programs under the public theme “Restoring Trust: What Can Be Done for Peace Now?” ahead of the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in September 2026. The series invites UPF regions, associations, national chapt

When a child can study after sunset because reliable electricity has reached the home; when a school has access to safe drinking water; when neighbors work together to protect a public space, sustainable development becomes tangible. It may be measured through policies, systems and indicators, but it is ultimately experienced in families, schools, neighborhoods and local communities. As the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) convenes at United Nation

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo – UPF’s work in the DRC took an important step forward with the official launch of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace on July 4, 2026. The inaugural conference, organized by UPF-Africa, UPF-DRC and the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was held at the People’s Palace in Kinshasa, with approximately 200 participants, including senior parliamentary leaders, members of Parliament, UPF re

Lima, Peru – A special Pastor’s Day celebration at UPF-Peru headquarters in Miraflores on June 27, 2026, honored those who dedicate their lives to serving their faith communities. More than 70 religious leaders from Christian and other faiths joined the event, which was co-sponsored by UPF-Peru and the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Peru. The program began with congratulatory remarks from Dr. Trevor Jones, president of UPF-Peru, sent in a video fr