Peace Ambassadors Across Ecuador Mark Day of Peace
Updated: 6 hours ago
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 silent prayer. Dr. Abelardo Verdesoto, vice president of UPF Ecuador, delivered the opening remarks, outlining UPF’s objectives and the fundamental principles of its peace philosophy.
Next, a forum featuring several Ambassadors for Peace took place; participants shared their views based on their personal experiences, aligning with the United Nations' theme for the International Day of Peace.
The forum participants were Prof. Ana Cecilia López, national director of Brahma Kumaris; Dr. Ricardo Verdesoto Vasquez, a physician; Dr. Fausto Segovia Baus, a journalist and former minister of education and culture of Ecuador; and Archbishop Chrysostomos Celi of the Orthodox Church of Latin America
All the speakers maintained that, based on their own experiences, a sense of personal responsibility for one's actions is ultimately crucial. Likewise, they affirmed that only by establishing peace within the family is it possible to change society and transform the nation – and indeed, the entire world – into a realm of peace and harmony.
In particular, Dr. Fausto Segovia Baus proposed a Universal Charter of Human Rights, firmly asserting that true peace cannot be achieved unless all of humanity not only upholds human rights but also considers and fulfills its own duties and responsibilities. He further maintained that it is necessary to work in cooperation with peace ambassadors across various regions to advance this movement.
Continuing on, a choral performance by CARP (Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles) members was presented. Fitting the theme of "investing in peace," the lyrics encouraged each individual to make small, steady efforts toward advancing peace.
Afterward, representatives from various locations across Ecuador delivered their greetings via Zoom. The participants included Dr. Eduardo Villarreal, an educator from Ibarra, San Lorenzo; Dr. Hernán Ulloa, former president of the Supreme Court of Justice in Guayaquil; Mr. Stalin Jaramillo, a composer and intercultural event director in Loja; Dr. Adriana Reina, an academic in Manta, Manabí; Dr. Ángel Sinmaleza, a former National Assembly member in Bolívar; and Dr. Vicente Cardenas, a former presiding judge of the Contentious Electoral Tribunal in Quito.
To conclude the event, the moderator read aloud UPF’s declaration for this year’s International Day of Peace. Afterwards, participants at the headquarters enjoyed a time of friendly interaction, chatting over tea and playing games in a congenial atmosphere.
