From February 20 to June 1, 2026, UPF invited its chapters, associations, Ambassadors for Peace and partner organizations to take part in the 100 Days of Serving Community campaign. March focused on partnerships, April on service and May on families. The campaign concluded on the United Nations Global Day of Parents. The campaign began with a question: How can an international peace organization become more useful in the communities where its members and partners live? Peace

South and Central America – A panel of young leaders from South and Central America and the Caribbean met in a webinar on July 17, to commemorate the United Nations World Youth Skills Day on the theme "Skills to Build Bridges and Break Down Barriers for Peace." The moderator, Mr. Mario Salinas, UPF secretary general for Latin America and the Caribbean, greeted the guests and panelists and shared the concept of the event. He explained that the UN agenda includes reducing the p

Geneva, Switzerland – The NGO Committee on the Family–Geneva convened a combined observance of the International Day of Families and Global Day of Parents on June 1, 2026, at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG). The 90‑minute conference on “Families and Parenting Support as Foundations of Peaceful and Resilient Societies” was co‑sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Egypt, Cameroon, Jordan and El Salvador. The NGO Committee on the Family–Geneva was formally established on April 2

When a child can study after sunset because reliable electricity has reached the home; when a school has access to safe drinking water; when neighbors work together to protect a public space, sustainable development becomes tangible. It may be measured through policies, systems and indicators, but it is ultimately experienced in families, schools, neighborhoods and local communities. As the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) convenes at United Nation

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

A United Nations High-Level Meeting in New York on June 23, 2026, adopted a Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, “United to End AIDS by 2030.” It underscores that addressing HIV/AIDS extends beyond clinical services to include family stability and international solidarity. The declaration reaffirms the commitment contained in Sustainable Development Goal 3, including the objective of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Significant progress has been achieved in recent

IMAP, North America – To highlight World Environment Day, celebrated annually in June, the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) organized a webinar on June 23, 2026, with the support of the Hyo Jeong International Foundation for Environmental Peace (HJIFEP). The speakers explored the relationship between environmental stewardship, spirituality, ethics and sustainable development. Moderated by the IMAP-Canada coordinator, Mr. Pierre Beauregard, the discussion cente

When the United Nations Peacebuilding Week 2026 opens in New York from June 22 to 26, much attention will naturally turn to institutions, financing, inclusion and impact. These attentions are necessary. Peacebuilding requires structures that can survive political pressure, respond to local realities and support communities before violence returns. Yet one part of peacebuilding is often less visible because it does not begin with a signed accord. It begins earlier, in the peri

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In commemoration of World Environment Day, UPF-Burkina Faso organized an event under the theme “Promoting Peace through Sanitation and Environmental Protection” on June 20, 2026. Although World Environment Day is officially observed on June 5, UPF-Burkina Faso chose June 20 to maximize local participation and public mobilization. The event emphasized the direct link between environmental degradation, community tensions, insecurity and social confli

ISCP – The International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) hosted a global webinar on June 18, 2026, on the theme “The Future of the Rules-based World Order," addressing the fracturing post-World War II international system. Moderated by Dr. Franco Famularo, ISCP global coordinator, the event convened four former heads of state or government and a global leadership expert, broadcasting to over 360 participants across more than 80 countries. The panel provided a highly detailed

The United Nations has proclaimed June 18 as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. On this day, UPF offers this reflection on the power of language. A word can open a door, or close one for many years. It can preserve the dignity of another person, or quietly make that person easier to ignore. Before violence enters institutions or homes, it passes through language. It learns to name a neighbor as a threat, a stranger as a burden, a believer as a danger, a nation

Bangkok, Thailand – UPF-Thailand, in partnership with the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, organized a seminar on June 12, 2026, to commemorate the Global Day of Parents. The event, titled “Love Your Spouse Well, Raise Your Children for Success,” was held in the main hall at UPF’s headquarters in Bangkok, as well as online. The program aimed to promote love and mutual understanding between husband

Bratislava, Slovakia – In support of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, designated by the United Nations as June 26, UPF-Slovakia organized an event on “The Fight Against Drugs.” Due to scheduling constraints, the event took place on June 11, 2026. Three experienced speakers, Mr. Pavel Mudra, Ms. Erika Botlíková, and Mr. Lukáš Bechyňa, were welcomed for this two-hour event, during which participants gained a wealth of information and valuable in

Kathmandu, Nepal – Under the theme “One World, One Family,” UPF-Nepal and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Nepal organized an event on June 6, 2026, at the Peace Embassy in Kathmandu, in observance of the UN Global Day of Parents. The event brought together diplomats, religious leaders, educators, journalists, peace ambassadors and members of the community. The gathering served as a meaningful platform to discuss the importance of family values, p

On June 5, the world observes World Environment Day 2026, led by the United Nations Environment Programme. This year, the global observance is hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan, with a focus on climate change and on the signals the Earth is sending to humanity. The language of World Environment Day 2026 is direct. The planet sends signals through rising seas, wildfires, heatwaves, melting glaciers, damaged ecosystems and changing seasons. Yet another signal is also rising.

Sydney, Australia – To commemorate the Global Day of Parents, UPF-Australia held an event on June 1, 2026, at the Oceania Peace Embassy Building in Sydney. The gathering brought together ambassadors for peace, community leaders, interfaith representatives and friends of UPF to honor the vital role of parents in building healthy families, caring communities and a peaceful society. The event was honored by the attendance of Emeritus Mayor Le Lam, former mayor of Auburn, and Cou

By the time the United Nations Global Day of Parents arrives on June 1, UPF’s 100-day campaign has already passed through many rooms: an iftar table in Washington, D.C., a charity market in Madrid, a remote school in Sri Lanka, a public hall in Lima, a family gathering in Paris, youth service in Asia, celebration of Africa Day in Benin, and community conversations in Latin America and Nepal. In each place, people tried to serve someone beyond their own circle. This is a fitti

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – At UPF headquarters in Phnom Penh, UPF-Cambodia and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Cambodia co-hosted a gathering on May 31, 2026, to commemorate the International Day of Families and the Global Day of Parents. The event brought together parents, youth and community leaders to reflect on the vital role of the family as the school of love and the foundation of a peaceful society. Mr. Chamroeun Sophal, regional director of U

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

Vienna, Austria – The United Nations’ motto for the International Day of Families 2026 is "Families, Inequalities and Child Well-being." UPF-Austria, the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and the Austrian Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) addressed this theme on May 30, 2026, in Vienna with a conference entitled "Family – School of Love: Strong Families, Happy Children." The event brought together an international audience of 120 people and spe