Each year on April 22, the United Nations marks International Mother Earth Day. The message is direct: human life and the natural world cannot be separated. When the land is degraded, forests are lost, water is polluted, and climate pressure grows; the consequences do not stay in nature alone. They reach homes, food systems, health, livelihoods, migration and social stability. That is why this day belongs naturally within UPF’s Month of Service. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainabl

Melbourne, Australia – One hundred leading international scholars, policymakers and peace practitioners gathered online on April 18, 2026, to mark the UN International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, calling for a renewed global commitment to cooperation, shared values and ethical leadership in an increasingly uncertain world. Hosted by the International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP) Asia Pacific, a primary association of UPF, the webinar brough

As the United Nations moves toward selecting its next Secretary-General for the term beginning January 1, 2027, member states face a decision of both moral and strategic consequence. The central question is not simply one of representation or managerial competence, but whether the chosen candidate can restore credibility, strengthen institutional effectiveness, and embody the moral authority required to serve the whole human family in a fractured age. Public discussion has in

From April 14-16, 2026, the United Nations will convene the  ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026  at its headquarters in New York. Held in the context of the 2026 ECOSOC theme and the  High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development , the forum will support transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated actions for the  2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. Among the goals under review, SDG 11, sustainable cities and communities, is

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – In conjunction with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Cambodian Tong Il Moo Do Federation held its national championship from April 8-11, 2026, at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. The event brought together athletes, coaches and supporters from across Cambodia, encouraging discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship. Tong Il Moo Do is a comprehensive martial art system founded on principles of unifying body and mind, character

Pope Leo XIV called the faithful to Saint Peter’s Basilica on April 11 as the Middle East searches for a path from fragile ceasefire to durable dialogue. On Easter Sunday, Pope Leo XIV turned a liturgical appeal into a concrete public act. In his Urbi et Orbi  message of April 5, 2026, he urged those with weapons to lay them down and invited the faithful to join him for a Prayer Vigil for Peace in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, April 11. On April 8 he renewed that invita

South and Central America – A panel of leaders from South America, Central America and the Caribbean gathered in a webinar on April 9, 2026, to commemorate the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, under the theme “Sport Builds Bridges and Breaks Down Barriers: Youth, Family and Future.” The event was organized by UPF and several organizations under the UPF umbrella. Mr. Jaime Fernandez, secretary general of UPF-Peru, served as moderator. He extended a war

As the United Nations marks the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, this observance closes March, dedicated to partnerships, and opens April as UPF’s month of service within its 100 Days of Serving Community campaign from February 20 to June 1, 2026. The International Day of Zero Waste  is a reminder that waste is not only a technical issue but a human one. In 2026 the day focuses on food waste, placing it squarely within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

Nairobi, Kenya – The International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP) Africa organized a high-level continental webinar on the theme “No Peace Without Women” on March 28, 2026, in alignment with International Women’s Day. The program served as a working-level meeting, inaugurating new leadership and adopting a unified Call to Action, as IAFLP seeks to transition from dialogue to a structured, ECOSOC-aligned advocacy platform designed to influence peace and mediatio

Berlin, Germany  – A professor of crisis management and peace education, a lawyer from the Federal Office of Justice, with eleven years’ experience as a judge, and a young pastor, wife and mother – these three women were the speakers at a Zoom event hosted by UPF-Germany on March 28 on the theme "No Peace without Women," to commemorate International Women’s Day. They spoke about their experiences as women in the family, working life and society. In his welcoming address, UPF-

South and Central America  –A panel of leaders from South America, Central America and the Caribbean joined on March 26, 2026, to commemorate UN World Water Day in a webinar with the theme: "Protection of the Environment and Water Resources: A Path to Peace, Well-being and Human Development."   Sponsored by UPF in collaboration with affiliated associations, the event was moderated by Mr. Mario Salinas, secretary general for UPF-Latin America and regional coordinator of the In

Each year, from March 21 to 27, the United Nations observes the Week of Solidarity with Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination, proclaimed by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/34/24. The week begins with the  International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination , rooted in the memory of the Sharpeville massacre of 1960, when 69 peaceful protestors in South Africa were killed under apartheid. It also stands within the legal and moral frame

Paris, France  – In conjunction with International Women's Day, a conference and debate entitled "Women's Diplomacy: A Lever for Rights, Justice, and Action" was held at the Espace Barrault in Paris on March 21, 2026. The event was organized by UPF-France and Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) France. Moderated by Ms. Brigitte Wada , president of WFWP France, the event brought together four experienced speakers to explore the role of women in peace processes and intern

Buenos Aires, Argentina  – To mark International Women’s Day, UPF-Argentina co-hosted two programs in March, with special recognition of exceptional women for service to their communities. On March 19, 2026, UPF-Argentina and Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Argentina held an event at El Templete, a hall owned by the Buenos Aires City government, located in Parque Patricios. In his welcoming speech, Mr. Miguel Werner , president of UPF-Argentina, recalled the sometim

Voronezh, Russia  – In preparation for the upcoming Earth Day, a series of environmental education activities were held in Voronezh and across the Voronezh Region. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about ecological responsibility and inspire young people to take care of the environment in their daily lives. On March 16, an interactive eco-games session was organized at Secondary School No. 47 in Voronezh, bringing together around 60 students. The event was organized by

The Universal Peace Federation expresses deep concern over the escalating violence in the Middle East. Each escalation places civilians at the center of the crisis causing loss of life, displacement, and severe disruption to essential services and daily life. UPF stands in solidarity with civilians across the region who are enduring the human cost of conflict. We call on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize the protection of civilian populations, and ensure safe and

Prague, Czech Republic  – To mark International Women’s Day, UPF-Czech Republic organized a conference entitled “Women in the 21st Century” at CEVRO University in Prague on March 9, 2026. The conference was well attended and attracted several first-time participants. Two panels discussed the status of women throughout history from the perspectives of religion, politics, economics, family and social life. Topics included an examination of feminism as to whether it has solved p

On International Women’s Day , observed in 2026 under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,”  the Universal Peace Federation honors women whose qualities and service strengthen families, communities, and nations. As the international community prepares for the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women ( CSW70 ) – whose priority theme is ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and

On World Wildlife Day, March 5, the Universal Peace Federation joins the global community in striving to protect biodiversity. As part of UPF’s  100 Days of Serving Community campaign, from February 20 to June 1, 2026, the month of March is dedicated to strengthening partnerships for community service. The campaign culminates on June 1, the UN  Global Day of Parents . In the context of biodiversity, partnerships determine what can be achieved in the field, from preventing pol

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