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

Biel, Switzerland – To commemorate the International Day of Peace, the local Biel chapter of UPF-Switzerland organized an outing of ambassadors for peace on September 30, 2026. Thirteen people spent eight hours on a boat touring the three lakes of Biel, Neuchâtel and Morat. For the first 3 ½ hours they met in four different groups of three and discussed the following four topics simultaneously: Sharing universal principles and values Contributing to the well-being of youth E

Bangkok, Thailand – More than 600 schools, educational institutions and government agencies nationwide took part in the annual commemoration of the International Day of Peace in the month of September, organized by UPF-Thailand. The event, "Reading of the Peace Messages and 1-Minute Silence for Peace," followed the theme given by the United Nations, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” and was supported by the Ministry of Education and the Royal Thai Gover

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

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

Prague, Czech Republic – To mark this year’s International Day of Peace, on September 24, 2026, UPF-Czech Republic organized a panel discussion on the topic “What is Peace?” This question was explored from the perspectives of speakers from four different backgrounds: the academic community, a non-governmental organization, political science and journalism. The first speaker, Dr. Roman Joch, director of the Civic Institute, spoke on the topic: “Three concepts of peace.” The fi

Quito, Ecuador – UPF-Ecuador held its annual International Day of Peace event at its headquarters in Quito on September 26, 2026, on the theme: “Investing in Peace: From Family to Nation, from Nation to the World.” Participants were primarily UPF ambassadors for peace. In addition to those present in person, many joined via Zoom this year as well. In this way the event served as a reunion for peace ambassadors across Ecuador. The event began at 10:00 a.m. with a one-minute si

New Delhi, India – In an innovative approach to peace education, the Peace Club of Mata Sundri College for Women at the University of Delhi in New Delhi, in collaboration with UPF-India, commemorated the UN International Day of Peace on September 21, 2026, by organizing a solution-oriented challenge for students titled “The Peace Court: Youth Dialogue, Argumentation and Solution-Oriented Competition." The event commenced with a warm welcome ceremony for the distinguished gu

London, United Kingdom – Artists, poets, writers, filmmakers and cultural leaders came together at UPF headquarters in London on September 23, 2026, for an evening devoted to exploring how arts, culture and storytelling can help build a more peaceful and understanding world. Hosted by the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP-UK), the event commemorated the UN International Day of Peace and reflected its 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Eve

IMAP, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), a UPF project, held its monthly webinar on September 22, 2026, titled “Women’s Journey on the Road to Peace.” Following the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, the program brought together three accomplished women to discuss how women's voices, leadership and service can contribute to peacebuilding in families, communities and nations. The first speaker was Ms. Cindy Pfeiffer, c

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Beltei International University in Phnom Penh served as the host and the venue for a seminar on "Character Education and International Day of Peace" on September 21, 2026, organized by UPF-Cambodia and the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP). The event brought together over 600 distinguished guests, educators, youth representatives and peace advocates to commemorate the International Day of Peace. The seminar emphasized tha

Yaoundé, Cameroon – An event to mark the UN International Day of Peace was held in the legislative chamber of the National Assembly of Cameroon on September 21, 2026. The opening ceremony was conducted by Hon. Meboka Muyali Marie Boya, vice president of the National Assembly, an Ambassador for Peace who represented the president at the ceremony. Hon. Brigitte Emabot, president of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) Cameroon, delivered the welco

Budapest, Hungary – UPF-Hungary and the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) jointly commemorated the UN International Day of Peace on September 21, 2026, with an online program entitled "The Barriers to Peace in the 21st Century." The aim was to raise awareness of the tasks that lie ahead in the journey to create peace. As an ice-breaker, Ms. Zsófia Bendzsa, representing the young generation, conducted a fun quiz to test participants’ knowledge of the International Day

Bratislava, Slovakia – This year UPF-Slovakia’s commemoration of the International Day of Peace included a celebration to mark five years since the opening of its Peace Embassy in Bratislava in 2021. The hall was packed to capacity on September 21, 2026, with guests who came to mark the day and congratulate UPF on its anniversary. The event was moderated by Mr. Viktor Bujnovsky, secretary general of UPF-Slovakia, who welcomed the more than 100 guests. Member of Parliament Mr.

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

Dublin, Ireland – To mark the International Day of Peace, on September 20, 2026, UPF-Ireland organized a Peace Road walk to historical sites, following by a luncheon and an afternoon forum. Participants gathered outside Unity House, the headquarters of UPF-Ireland in Dublin, and proceeded to walk to the General Post Office (GPO), the site of the 1916 Proclamation of the Republic. This act 110 years ago, when Ireland declared its independence from the United Kingdom, represe

Kathmandu, Nepal – In partnership with the Karmashil Women Society, UPF-Nepal organized a commemorative and educational program to mark the UN International Day of Peace on September 20, 2026, at Bajrabarahi Resort in Shankharapur Municipality of Kathmandu. The program brought together 62 participants, including the deputy mayor, former deputy mayor, educators, journalists, women leaders and activists, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, government representatives and community mem

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

Melbourne, Australia – UPF-Australia and the Australian Peace Council brought together 60 community leaders, educators, multicultural representatives and peacebuilders in Melbourne on September 19, 2026, for a special conference marking the United Nations International Day of Peace. Held under the UN theme “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” the conference explored how peace can be strengthened through practical action in families, communities, schools an

Paris, France – The United Nations’ theme for this year’s International Day of Peace – “Investing in Peace for All, Everywhere, Every Day” – brings the concept of peacebuilding very close to home. Reflecting this idea, UPF-France and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) organized a gathering on September 19, 2026, at UPF’s Paris headquarters on the theme “The Family as an Everyday Peacemaker.” The speakers offered thoughtful insights relevant to the complex realitie