UPF-EUME – On October 15, 2026, UPF-Europe and Middle East (EUME) held a webinar addressing a seemingly intractable conflict. Entitled “Voices for Peace in the Middle East,” the webinar featured two courageous champions of peace, one Israeli and one Palestinian. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Gudrun Hassinen, vice chairperson of UPF-Germany, who welcomed participants and introduced the two peace advocates, Israeli activist Mr. Tom Wegner and Palestinian activist Mr. Khaled

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

Jerusalem, Israel – The Har-El Congregation in central Jerusalem hosted the fourth annual "Sukkat Shalom" (Tabernacle of Peace) interfaith gathering on September 29, 2026. Organized in close collaboration with UPF-Israel, the event brought together individuals from various faiths to share their visions for harmony and discuss ongoing projects aimed at promoting a culture of peace. This year's gathering was specially dedicated to marking the United Nations International Day of

Reykjavik, Iceland – An interreligious gathering organized by UPF-Iceland marked the International Day of Peace in Reykjavík on September 20, 2026. Participants included representatives of the Lutheran and Catholic Churches, Buddhist and Muslim communities, the Humanists, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The varied contributions from the different communities, including musical performances, helped create a warm and open atmosphere. A representa

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

Gzira, Malta – An interfaith dialogue on sustainable development took place in the town of Gzira on September 19, 2026, at the Gzira Local Council Hall. The event was organized in collaboration with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta and the Gzira Local Council. The discussion centered on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how communities of different faiths, social organizations, and local councils can help educate those in their local areas and the general pub

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

Vancouver, Canada – A group of ambassadors for peace and representatives of different religious groups gathered on September 6, 2026, in Vancouver to participate in a discussion on the theme “The Last Days: Beyond the Tribulation and Chaos of our Time.” Mr. Alan Wilding, director of UPF-Western Canada, and Ms. Sherry Marciel of the Multi–Faith Summit Council of British Columbia led the meeting with in-depth presentations. Mr. Benjamin Takeawoa, assistant director of UPF-Van

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

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

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.,

Bangkok, Thailand – A group of two pastors and ten youths from the Chin Christian Council in Australia (CCCA) visited the UPF Peace Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand on July 10, 2026, as part of their 10-day educational tour through Thailand. UPF-Thailand, in collaboration with FFWPU Indochina and IAYSP Thailand, prepared a special youth leadership training program for them on the theme “Let’s Become Peacemakers.” After a light dinner, FFWPU representative Ms. NweNwe from Myanmar

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

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 (

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

Linz, Austria – UPF-Upper Austria hosted an interfaith breakfast in conjunction with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) on June 20, 2026, on the theme of “Courage – Humility,” to mark the 400th anniversary of the 1626 Peasants’ War in Upper Austria. The event was a direct part of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), which began as a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. The state of Upper Austria has had a Religious Advisory Council since 2

Bogota, Colombia – A group of twenty religious and social leaders representing different faiths – including Catholics, Unificationists and Taoists – participated in a forum entitled "Interreligious Views on Jesus Christ" on June 18, 2026, in Bogota. The event was a joint initiative between UPF-Colombia and ACRE (Colombian Assembly of Religions and Spiritualities), to promote universal values and profound theological reflections. Since 2025, the two groups have sponsored a ser

Birmingham, United Kingdom – At its third Principles of Peace evening on June 11, 2026, UPF-West Midlands invited participants to discuss God's work in history to bring humanity back to the original ideal of peace, emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation. Around 70 friends from different faiths, nationalities, races and cultures attended – a melting pot of people from varied social backgrounds. During the presentation Mr. David Earle, director of UPF-West Midlands, mentio

Vienna, Austria – What happens in a society before a young person becomes radicalized? What causes hatred to turn into violence or disagreements to become crimes? From Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo, Rwanda and Pakistan, participants at an event at the United Nations in Vienna reached a common conclusion: Crime prevention begins where people feel part of society, and not its victims. This question was the focus of a side event during the meeting of the United Nations Commis