Lusaka, Zambia – UPF-Zambia held a commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace and the 21st anniversary of UPF on October 1, 2026, at the Peace Embassy in Lusaka. Attendees included ambassadors for peace, senior citizens, youth representatives, representatives of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, leaders of NGOs and professional organizations, students and members of the general public. The broad attendance reflected UPF’s commitment to inclusive, interfaith and multise

South and Central America – In line with the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, UPF-Latin America and the Caribbean (UPF-LATAMCA) held an online forum on September 29, 2026, with the collaboration of the coordinators and national representatives of the UPF associations representing religious leaders (IAPD), academicians (IAAP), media professionals (IMAP), and artists and cultural managers (IAACP), of Peru, Honduras, Ecuador and Argentina. The webinar was themed

South and Central America – UPF-Latin America and the Caribbean and the International Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) held an online forum via Zoom on September 11, 2026, titled "From Barriers to Bridges: Faith, Freedom and Development in Latin America – Family and Future," featuring distinguished men and women of deep spirituality, experience and leadership from various faith traditions across the region. The event was moderated by Mr. Mario Salinas, regional se

UPF-EUME – UPF-Europe and Middle East (EUME), together with the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), convened an international webinar on September 3, 2026, titled “Peace in the Middle East: The Contribution of Religions.” The speakers addressed the urgent necessity of track-two diplomacy and religious peacebuilding in light of ongoing regional conflicts. Recognizing that formal political mechanisms often fail to address deep-seated human and social wo

IAPD, United States – The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) held its Third Global IAPD Prayer for the Nation and the World: “Prayer and World Peace” on August 27, 2026. The program featured five speakers, and was moderated by Ms. Tomiko Duggan, global coordinator of IAPD. Topics focused on interfaith harmony and advancement, with panelists highlighting the significance of personal peace, mutual respect and kindness. Speakers emphasized the necessity

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

Global IAPD – The 2nd Global Interfaith Prayer for the Nation and the World, “Prayer and World Peace,” sponsored by the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), was held on July 30, 2026. Participating in the virtual program were 52 people on Zoom from different parts of the world. Three faith leaders – from Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom – shared their thoughts about the power of prayer and world peace. Patriarch George A. Stallings, Jr.,

IAPD – The first Global Interfaith Prayer for the Nation and the World: “Spirituality and the Principles of Happiness” was sponsored by the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) on June 25, 2026. Participating in the virtual program were 65 people from different parts of the world. Three faith leaders shared their thoughts about the principles of happiness. Patriarch George A. Stallings, Jr., a board member of the World Clergy for Leadership Conference (

As June 2026 draws to a close, the calendars of several religious and spiritual traditions converge around themes of fasting, remembrance, purification, prayer, gratitude and responsibility. These observances do not diminish the distinct identities of the world's faiths. Rather, they reveal common moral concerns through which human beings are invited to cultivate self-discipline, deepen compassion, honor what others hold sacred, and strengthen the habits upon which peaceful s

UPF-EUME – A webinar titled “Bridges of Love” brought together Sikh and Muslim scholars on June 20, 2026, to highlight the shared values and vision of these two distinct faiths. The program was hosted by UPF-Europe and the Middle East (UPF-EUME) and the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development. The starting point for this webinar was the publication of a book by the same name, the result of a pioneering collaboration between two visionaries, Dr. Surender Singh Kan

South and Central America – In the context of the UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, designated as May 21, UPF-Latin America held an online forum with expert panelists from Latin America and the Caribbean on the theme “Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and the Promotion of Peace for All.” The event was held on May 29, 2026, organized in collaboration with UPF affiliates – the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), the Inte

In the closing days of “UPF’s Month of Family,” Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Bahá’í and Buddhist observances form an unusual sequence that points toward memory, sacrifice, spiritual renewal and care across generations. For several days at the end of May 2026, the calendar seems to slow down and listen. One religious tradition after another enters a sacred season. Jewish families gather for Shavuot. Christians celebrate Pentecost. Muslim communities prepare for Eid al-Adha. Bahá

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

Lima, Peru – UPF-Peru celebrated International Mother Earth Day on April 21, 2026, with a forum at the Congress of the Republic of Peru, attended by 120 guests. The event was sponsored by Congressman Dr. Raúl Huamán Coronado and the Peru chapter of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), of which Congressman Coronado serves as secretary general. The president of UPF-Peru, Dr. Trevor Jones, delivered a welcoming address via video message from London

Helsinki, Finland – The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) in Finland, in cooperation with CANIP-Finland, held an Interreligious Forum for Peace on April 18, 2026. Three speakers delivered keynote messages, each highlighting different dimensions of peace, faith and human dignity. Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Asghar, the first speaker, emphasized the universal values shared across cultures by linking religion and science. Drawing on his experiences in Japan,

Budapest, Hungary – UPF-Hungary and its primary associations held several activities from February to April, 2026, promoting peace through culture, faith, history and the environment. On the evening of February 23, 2026, an online working group meeting of the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) addressed the question of how to create value through the arts. They stressed that, since artists communicate with their audiences through their work, the m

Washington, D.C., United States – As the arrival of spring brought pink and white cherry blossoms to adorn the streets, the Global IAPD Peace Initiative hosted a Japanese tea ceremony and Ambassadors for Peace appointment program in the nation’s capital on April 11, 2026. Friends and supporters of IAPD from the interfaith communities of Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland gathered in the Founders Room at The Washington Times building to participate in this annual progra

Washington, D.C., United States – As part of the observance of Ramadan, the month-long period of fasting and prayer observed by Muslims worldwide, UPF-USA hosted an interfaith iftar dinner on March 1, 2026, at the Washington Times Building in Washington, D.C. Ramadan this year runs from February 17 to March 19. For the past four years, UPF-USA has sponsored an iftar dinner, the meal held after sunset throughout the month of Ramadan, with other organizations. This year, under

Washington, D.C., United States – Two diaspora communities – Japanese and Pakistani – came together on February 7, 2026, for a shared experience at The Washington Times building in Washington, D.C. UPF’s Global IAPD Peace Initiative hosted a Japanese tea ceremony for the Pakistan diaspora in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week, as an approach to fostering peace, harmony, and understanding between peoples of different faith and cultural traditions. Ms. Tomiko Dugga

Lima, Peru – Under the patronage of Congressman Dr. Raul Huaman Coronado, UPF-Peru and the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) celebrated World Interfaith Harmony Week in the Sanchez Carrion Auditorium of the Peru Congress on February 6, 2026. Over 200 guests assembled to participate in the meeting, where former government ministers and invited experts and religious leaders shared their thoughts about the importance of understanding and cooperation b