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

South and Central America – An online convocation for young artists and cultural leaders featured artist professionals as speakers, and attracted over 100 participants on September 17, 2026. The program, “From Barriers to Bridges: Challenges and Contributions of the Arts and Culture from Latin America” was organized by UPF-Latin America and the Caribbean and the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP). This program was part of UPF’s outreach to promote

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

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

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

IAACP Asia-Pacific – An online program titled “Peace Through Arts and Culture: Building Trust and Understanding” served as the official launch of the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) in the Asia Pacific region on August 1, 2026. The program began with a warm welcome by the MC, Ms. Mee Hwa Atimalala Yamada, president of the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) in Oceania. This was followed by an introductory video, “T

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

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

Moscow, Russia – UPF-Moscow organized a two-day program, “Peace Road: Following the Footsteps of Lermontov” in Moscow on July 18-19, 2026, combining cultural discovery with a family-friendly cycling tour. On the first day, participants visited the Mikhail Lermontov House Museum, the only surviving memorial home of the famous Russian writer in Moscow. Mikhail Lermontov (1814–1841) is one of Russia’s greatest poets and novelists and a leading figure of Russian Romanticism. The

The United Nations has proclaimed June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. On this day, UPF offers this reflection on the power of language. A word can open a door, or close one for many years. It can preserve the dignity of another person, or quietly make that person easier to ignore. Before violence enters institutions or homes, it passes through language. It learns to name a neighbor as a threat, a stranger as a burden, a believer as a danger, a nation

London, United Kingdom – A dynamic group of writers, readers and peacebuilders gathered for a stimulating evening program, “Literary Voices of Change,” on June 18, 2026, at UPF headquarters in London. Through book launches, poetry readings, personal testimony, panel discussions, and reflections on the media, the evening examined how creative expression can deepen understanding and encourage positive social change. The event, organized by Dr. Sangita Swechcha, chair of the Int

Copenhagen, Denmark – A Summer Festival at the UPF Peace Center in Copenhagen on June 13, 2026, drew around 100 participants for an afternoon of music, friendship and fellowship. Although the weather was far from summery, the atmosphere more than made up for the rain and wind. The festival, held in cooperation with FFWPU Denmark, was coordinated by Ms. Kamala Mais, a UPF ambassador for peace and music teacher, together with Mr. Kerim Elhan from the Denmark – Azerbaijan Associ

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

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

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

Europe & Middle East – UPF-Europe and Middle East (EUME) marked a historic milestone with the official inauguration of the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP), one of the eight pillars under UPF, on April 20, 2026. This celebratory event, held online and hosted by aspiring young Slovenian filmmaker and MC of the evening Mr. Kristian Irgl, brought together a global community – from Nigeria to Korea – to honor the transformative power of creativity i