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

Washington, D.C., United States – To mark National Parents' Day – designated as the fourth Sunday in July in the United States – UPF-USA hosted a celebration in the Arbor Ballroom of the Washington Times building in Washington, D.C. on July 25, 2026. The event brought together 170 guests and supporters of UPF to honor exemplary families and promote the importance of strong family values as the foundation of society. Ms. Kaeleigh Moffitt, president of UPF-USA, served as master

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

Bangkok, Thailand – UPF-Thailand, in partnership with the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, organized a seminar on June 12, 2026, to commemorate the Global Day of Parents. The event, titled “Love Your Spouse Well, Raise Your Children for Success,” was held in the main hall at UPF’s headquarters in Bangkok, as well as online. The program aimed to promote love and mutual understanding between husband

Kathmandu, Nepal – Under the theme “One World, One Family,” UPF-Nepal and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Nepal organized an event on June 6, 2026, at the Peace Embassy in Kathmandu, in observance of the UN Global Day of Parents. The event brought together diplomats, religious leaders, educators, journalists, peace ambassadors and members of the community. The gathering served as a meaningful platform to discuss the importance of family values, p

South and Central America – Continuing its webinar series commemorating UN international days, UPF-Latin America and the Caribbean held a forum on June 5, 2026, on "The Importance of Being a Good Role Model for Those We Are Raising." This event was timed to mark the Global Day of Parents on June 1. In his introduction Mr. Mario Salinas, secretary general of UPF-Latin America, who moderated the event, stated: “In accordance with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of th

Geneva, Switzerland – The NGO Committee on the Family–Geneva convened a combined observance of the International Day of Families and Global Day of Parents on June 1, 2026, at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG). The 90‑minute conference on “Families and Parenting Support as Foundations of Peaceful and Resilient Societies” was co‑sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Egypt, Cameroon, Jordan and El Salvador. The NGO Committee on the Family–Geneva was formally established on April 2

Sydney, Australia – To commemorate the Global Day of Parents, UPF-Australia held an event on June 1, 2026, at the Oceania Peace Embassy Building in Sydney. The gathering brought together ambassadors for peace, community leaders, interfaith representatives and friends of UPF to honor the vital role of parents in building healthy families, caring communities and a peaceful society. The event was honored by the attendance of Emeritus Mayor Le Lam, former mayor of Auburn, and Cou

By the time the United Nations Global Day of Parents arrives on June 1, UPF’s 100-day campaign has already passed through many rooms: an iftar table in Washington, D.C., a charity market in Madrid, a remote school in Sri Lanka, a public hall in Lima, a family gathering in Paris, youth service in Asia, celebration of Africa Day in Benin, and community conversations in Latin America and Nepal. In each place, people tried to serve someone beyond their own circle. This is a fitti

Vienna, Austria – The United Nations’ motto for the International Day of Families 2026 is "Families, Inequalities and Child Well-being." UPF-Austria, the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and the Austrian Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) addressed this theme on May 30, 2026, in Vienna with a conference entitled "Family – School of Love: Strong Families, Happy Children." The event brought together an international audience of 120 people and spe

Prague, Czech Republic – Experts on family issues shared their perspectives at a conference hosted by UPF-Czech Republic on May 25, 2006, in Prague, to mark the International Day of Families. Ms. Nina Nováková, a former member of Parliament and currently chairwoman of the Association of Christian Seniors, spoke on the topic, “Family and the Search for One’s Own Identity.” She pointed out that humans are social beings who want to belong somewhere and need to know their identit

Tirana, Albania – To mark the International Day of Families and UPF’s Month of Family, UPF-Albania and the Tirana Regional Peace Council held an event entitled “The Family – The Foundation of Peace and Social Order” on May 25, 2026. Among the 200 participants were ambassadors for peace, personalities from various fields, friends and special guests. The purpose of the meeting was to promote family values and raise awareness about the importance of educating younger generations

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

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

Auckland, New Zealand – Families and supporters gathered at Western Springs Garden Community Hall in Auckland for a UN International Day of Families Commemorative Event on May 16, 2026. The program brought together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the importance of family in Aotearoa New Zealand and to renew commitment to strengthening family life in our communities. More than 50 people attended on a bright autumn afternoon, creating a warm and family-centered a

UPF-Africa – To mark both the International Day of Families and the International Day of Living Together in Peace, UPF-Africa convened an international webinar on the theme “Strong Families, Peaceful Nations: Transformative Leadership and Values-Based Governance for a Global Culture of Peace” on May 16, 2026. The two-hour session was hosted via Zoom and simulcast across Facebook, X and Instagram, in English and French. Participants included high-level government officials, fa

Montevideo, Uruguay – An ecumenical gathering for the family, held at the National Garden Hall in Montevideo on May 16, 2026, brought together a diverse group of people from different faith traditions to commemorate the International Day of Families. Organized by UPF-Uruguay, the program included dialogue, reflection and fellowship, highlighting different expressions of faith and values centered on the importance of the family as the foundation of society. Under the theme “On

South and Central America – On May 15, 2026, a group of professionals from South America, Central America, and the Caribbean joined a webinar to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Families, under the theme “The Family as a School of Love and Peace: Inequalities and Child Wellbeing.” The event was organized by UPF and three of its associations – the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), International Association of Academicians for

As May 2026 begins, the Universal Peace Federation enters the third and final full month of its 100 Days of Serving Community campaign, running from February 20 to June 1, 2026. March emphasized partnerships to strengthen local impact. April emphasized volunteer service that communities could recognize and welcome. May brings this public work to its center: the family and values-based education. This leads directly to the Global Day of Parents, and raises a practical question

London, United Kingdom – Couples, families, faith leaders and guests joined the annual Celebration of Marriage, Family and Faith hosted on April 18, 2026, by UPF-United Kingdom, together with the North of the Thames Community of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU). The joyful and reflective gathering affirmed the importance of marriage, family values and spiritual life in building peaceful communities. Opening the event, Mr. Robin Marsh, secretary g