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.,

Washington, D.C., United States – The July 29, 2028 biweekly UPF Stopping the Violence in America webinar featured Mr. Robert Williams, founder and executive director of Keeping Communities On Guard (KCOG), a grassroots organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. The webinar opened with an overview of UPF’s four-year initiative to address gun violence and the evolution of the National Stopping the Violence Best Practices Task Force. Participants were reminded of the initiati

IMAP, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) convened its monthly webinar on July 28, 2026 to examine the state of religious freedom domestically and globally. The program, titled "Let Freedom Ring: Religious Freedom in the US and around the World: Why it Matters Now More than Ever" was hosted by Ms. Peggy Yujiri, executive director of UPF-Colorado. The session featured three panelists: Dr. Aaron Rhodes, Ms. Rachel Miner, and Mr. Dan Fefferman.

United States – Across the United States, UPF chapters celebrated National Parents’ Day in July, with programs honoring exemplary parents, strengthening community partnerships, and promoting the family as the cornerstone of peaceful societies. Twenty-one local chapters held events from July 18 to 26, 2026, recognizing outstanding families and community leaders. Many celebrations featured proclamations from elected officials, musical performances, family tributes, interfaith p

Washington, D.C., United States – To mark National Parents' Day – designated as the fourth Sunday in July in the United States – UPF-USA hosted a celebration in the Arbor Ballroom of the Washington Times building in Washington, D.C. on July 25, 2026. The event brought together 170 guests and supporters of UPF to honor exemplary families and promote the importance of strong family values as the foundation of society. Ms. Kaeleigh Moffitt, president of UPF-USA, served as master

Paris, France – Two professionals addressed the question, “Does the Democratic Dream Have a Future?” at an event held to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026. UPF-France organized the conference at its headquarters in Espace Barrault, Paris. The program featured two keynote presentations. Dr. Laurent Ladouce, head of research at UPF-France, and Mr. Jacques Marion, president of UPF-Europe and the Middle East, examined the contribution of t

IAACP, United States – A webinar organized by the International Association for Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) on May 28, 2026, featured videos, poetry and song to underscore its theme, “The Transformative Power of the Arts: Building Bridges via Cultural Exchange.” The program began with the video “The Diplomacy of Beauty,” which chronicles the history of support for the performing arts by UPF's founders. Mr. David Eaton, global coordinator for IAACP, then introduced Mr

Boston, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) USA sponsored a webinar on April 28, 2026, titled “Restoring Excellence in Public Schools: Prioritizing Academics, Merit and Parental Rights." It addressed rising concerns about declining academic performance, increasing ideological content in classrooms, and the erosion of parental influence in education. It was moderated by Ms. Jennifer Trench, executive director of UPF-Western Massachusetts, with

New York, United States – UPF-USA and the NGO Committee on the Family, NY (NGOCF NY) at the United Nations convened a virtual program on April 23, 2026, titled "The Demographic Turning Point: Family, Fertility, and What Comes Next." With three-quarters of the world now experiencing fertility rates below replacement level, concern over the economic and social consequences of an increasingly aged population has intensified globally. Three research policy experts addressed the c

Washington, D.C., United States – As the arrival of spring brought pink and white cherry blossoms to adorn the streets, the Global IAPD Peace Initiative hosted a Japanese tea ceremony and Ambassadors for Peace appointment program in the nation’s capital on April 11, 2026. Friends and supporters of IAPD from the interfaith communities of Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland gathered in the Founders Room at The Washington Times building to participate in this annual progra

IAACP, United States – The International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP) held a webinar on March 26, 2026, featuring four panelists presenting on the power of art and music to create peace and foster healing. The program was hosted and moderated by Mr. David Eaton , global coordinator for IAACP, who introduced UPF’s message about art as a vehicle for unity and peace. He quoted the famous composer and conductor, Mr. Leonard Bernstein, regarding art's power t

IMAP, United States – The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) USA sponsored a webinar on March 24, 2026, titled “Negotiating the Church – State – Religious Freedom Relationship.” It featured two speakers from the Czech Republic, who shared their experiences with religious persecution under the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia and in the newly formed Czech Republic. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Ray Lipowcan, executive director for UPF-Pennsylvania. Ms.

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

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

Washington, D.C., United States – Two diaspora communities – Japanese and Pakistani – came together on February 7, 2026, for a shared experience at The Washington Times building in Washington, D.C. UPF’s Global IAPD Peace Initiative hosted a Japanese tea ceremony for the Pakistan diaspora in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week, as an approach to fostering peace, harmony, and understanding between peoples of different faith and cultural traditions. Ms. Tomiko Dugga

Washington, D.C.. United States – The International Religious Freedom Summit 2026 gathered the world’s top advocates for religious liberty in Washington, D.C. from February 1-3, 2026. For the third year in a row, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and The Washington Times Foundation (TWTF) served as title partners for this event. The summit drew over 1600 participants from 87 countries, representing dozens of faiths and beliefs. Pastor Paula White-Cain, senior adviser at the

New York, United States – In support of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UPF sponsored a musical performance by members of the New York City Symphony, in the historic ECOSOC Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York on January 23, 2026. Although founded the previous year, ECOSOC held its inaugural session on January 23, 1946. The commemorative event focused on reviewing its legacy, reaffirming its role in global govern

New York, United States – On January 22, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation, as an executive member of the NGO Committee on the Family, NY, at the United Nations, co-organized a virtual program titled, "Empowering the Family through National Policies: Insights from Burundi and Italy." Ms. Lynn Walsh, director of UPF’s Office of the Family, opened the program and welcomed the two high-level speakers. The program followed the Chatham House Rule, by which the names of comment

IMAP, United States – Two media experts addressed the need for ethical journalism and called for alliances to promote this goal in a webinar on October 28, 2025. The program, “Journalism, Free Speech and Media Bias in a Rapidly Changing World,” was organized by the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), an affiliate of UPF-USA. The first speaker was Mr. Larry Moffitt , vice president and executive director of the Washington Times Foundation and secretary general o

New York, United States – In celebration of the United Nations' 80th anniversary, diplomats, experts, and NGOs convened on International UN Day, October 24, 2025, calling for a reinvigoration of the founding principles of the UN Charter: national sovereignty, human dignity, and the centrality of the family. The missions of Burundi and Djibouti co-sponsored the event at UN headquarters in New York, organized by C-Fam and Campaign Life Coalition, with support from UPF, the Aso