Lima, Peru – Songs and dances from the African diaspora enlivened an event in Lima on September 4, 2026, organized by UPF-Peru to commemorate the International Day for People of African Descent. The event, which featured local speakers of African descent, took place in the auditorium at UPF headquarters in Miraflores, Lima, and was attended by 80 guests. The program opened with a prayer by Pastor Orestes Sánchez Luis of the Assemblies of God. Pastor Sánchez is Peru coordinat

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – On September 15, 2026, a seminar on “Character Education and International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer” was held at the Cambodian University for Specialties (CUS) in Phnom Penh, with over 200 participants. The program brought together university leaders, educators, youth leaders, students and invited guests to discuss character development, youth leadership, peacebuilding and environmental responsibility. The program opened with welcome

Düsseldorf, Germany – On August 23, 2026, UPF-Düsseldorf hosted a gathering to mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Established by the United Nations in 2019, the observance has been held annually on August 22 since 2020. Ms. Anja Brina, representative of UPF-Dusseldorf, hosted the program. She explained the background of the day, which honors individuals who have been persecuted, injured or killed on account of

Kathmandu, Nepal – UPF-Nepal, in collaboration with Nirvana Academy, organized a program to mark UN Humanitarian Day on August 19, 2026 under the theme, “Celebrating Humanity, Inspiring Solidarity: Restoring Trust – What Can Be Done for Peace Now?” The approximately two-hour program brought together 127 participants from diverse sectors of society, including humanitarian and social workers, educators, artists, youth representatives, business professionals, women leaders, jour

Abuja, Nigeria – In support of World Humanitarian Day, UPF-Nigeria organized a conference on the theme “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities: The Fundamental Role of Women and Family in Peacebuilding.” The event took place on August 19, 2026, at the UPF Secretariat in the Peace Embassy in Abuja. The purpose was to recognize and strengthen the often-overlooked contributions of women and families to sustainable peace at the grassroots level. The prog

Cotonou, Benin – UPF-Benin celebrated World Humanitarian Day with a conference on restoring trust in communities, and a humanitarian donation that enabled poor families to pay their overdue hospital bills. Both activities were met with deep appreciation. A conference featuring a panel discussion was held on August 19, 2026, in the renovated hall of the Bourse du Travail in Cotonou. The conference, organized jointly by UPF-Benin and UPF-Africa, addressed the theme “Restoring T

Melbourne, Australia – The International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP) and UPF-Asia Pacific hosted a webinar on August 15, 2026, commemorating World Humanitarian Day, bringing together humanitarian leaders and peace advocates to reflect on the meaning of service and leadership. The program’s themes highlighted serving others, protecting human dignity, and empowering communities to build a more peaceful and resilient world. To open the program, Dr. John Bellavan

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

Tegucigalpa, Honduras – In the context of the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons, El Global News (EGN) was officially launched as a specialized digital newspaper with global reach dedicated to informing, investigating and raising awareness of human trafficking and associated violence from a human rights, gender, diversity and inclusion perspective. The launch took place on July 30, 2026, at London Hall in the Clarion Hotel in Tegucigalpa. The International Media

Biel/Bienne, Switzerland – Ambassadors for peace and friends gathered on May 11, 2026, to mark the International Day of Families in Biel/Bienne and on Zoom. The program focused on the spiritual dimension of individual and family life. Texts featuring major religions on “separation from the world” were read and explained by the ambassadors for Peace onsite and online, from Europe and Africa. The texts in World Scripture, A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts – an interfaith

On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Families, the Universal Peace Federation reaffirms the enduring truth that the family is the first school of peace. It is within the home that human beings first learn dignity, conscience, compassion, responsibility, cooperation, and care for others. Strong and healthy families cultivate the moral and social foundations upon which peaceful societies and nations are built. The United Nations has long recognized the fam