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

Maputo, Mozambique – On May 31, 2026, the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD-Africa) convened the 6th Africa Spiritual Day in Maputo, Mozambique, under the theme “Family Values: A Blueprint for Interfaith Cooperation.” The event commemorated both the International Day of Families and Africa Day, bringing together approximately 2,000 onsite participants, including religious leaders, members of parliament, peace advocates, families, and community represe

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

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

Montréal, Canada – April 18, 2026 was a bright, sunny spring day in Montréal, where UPF-Canada held its annual Ambassadors for Peace Recognition Luncheon at Hotel Ruby Foo’s, under the theme “Interreligious Dialogue, Interculturality, and Secularity: A Contemporary Perspective.” More than 70 people attended, drawn by a theme that resonates both globally and within the Canadian and Quebec context, where such dialogue – and even more so intercultural and interreligious collabor

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,

Tel Aviv, Israel – The Center of Scientology Israel convened a timely webinar bringing together religious leaders from diverse faith traditions to address the theme “Faith and Overcoming Challenges During Times of Crisis.” Representatives of UPF-Israel participated in the program on March 30, 2026, alongside other faith leaders. The webinar took place against the backdrop of the ongoing stress and trauma affecting many people in the region due to the current conflict. The or

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

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Derogatory language used in legal contexts and in the media is amplifying persecution of religious communities around the world. Religious freedom researcher Ms. María Vardé addressed this issue in a speech, “Religious Freedom and Human Rights in Argentina,” at the International Catholic Biblical Society (SOBICAIN) Alberione Hall in Buenos Aires on February 25, 2026. The meeting, organized by the Interreligious Association for Peace and Developme

Clifton, United States – Two UPF-USA events in New Jersey celebrated interfaith harmony in the month of February; both were embellished by musical harmony provided by an enthusiastic youth choir. Mr. Fortune Winter , the newly appointed secretary general of UPF-USA, was the keynote speaker at an event in Clifton, New Jersey on February 21, 2026, focused on interfaith cooperation and religious freedom. Mr. Barry Geller , the UPF regional director, presented six Ambassador f