Service Beyond Borders: The Spirit of Compassion

The United Nations has designated September 5 as the International Day of Charity, to honor the legacy of Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, and to affirm the indispensable role of compassion in addressing poverty and human suffering. It was established by UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/67/105, with the intent to mobilize governments, civil society, and citizens toward volunteerism and philanthropy for the common good.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identifies poverty eradication as the greatest global challenge and emphasizes that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires strengthened global solidarity. Charitable service advances this vision directly by alleviating poverty (SDG 1), improving health and well-being (SDG 3), and fostering partnerships across sectors (SDG 17). Charity uplifts communities, mitigates the impact of crises, and builds the inclusive and resilient societies envisioned by the SDGs.

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is deeply committed to these values. Our founders, Dr. Hak Ja Han and the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, taught that humanity is “one family under God” and that genuine prosperity emerges when people live for the sake of others. Guided by this ethos, UPF advances the principles of interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universal values as the foundation for peace and development. We affirm that neglect and selfishness breed division, while service and altruism foster reconciliation and progress. One of UPF’s core principles is literally to “live for the sake of others,” cultivating good character, cross-cultural friendship, and a shared determination to relieve suffering wherever it is found.

Humanitarian Action in Practice

UPF chapters and affiliated organizations carry out charitable and humanitarian work across the globe:

• In Lebanon, UPF distributed emergency food boxes to families in conflict-affected neighborhoods of Beirut.

• In Malaysia, UPF launched pandemic relief programs providing food and care packages to underprivileged households.

• In Portugal, members organized drives to collect books, clothes, and toys for children in Mozambique and Angola.

• In the Seychelles, volunteers conducted environmental cleanups at children’s homes.

• In the United States, Ambassadors for Peace regularly partner with community centers, schools, and interfaith coalitions to organize food drives and mentoring initiatives in underserved areas.

Our global initiatives further extend this spirit of service:

• In Peru (2023), more than 1,000 people joined a nationwide Peace Road walk for unity and charity.

• In Russia (2023), UPF volunteers in Vladivostok organized a charity marathon to raise funds for cancer patients.

• In Australia, Ambassadors for Peace developed the Bread Brigade, which delivers surplus bakery goods to vulnerable populations.

• Through Religious Youth Service (RYS) and Youth and Students for Peace (YSP), young people worldwide engage in service learning projects, ranging from recycling and waste management to tutoring displaced children, helping to instill a culture of compassion in future leaders.

  
  

Solidarity with the Global Community

UPF’s commitment to humanitarian service is in harmony with the broader community of global charity. We honor the lifesaving work of the Red Cross/Red Crescent, the UNHCR’s mission to protect refugees, and the countless interfaith and grassroots volunteers who serve quietly in their neighborhoods. Whether through large-scale aid operations or simple acts of neighborly care, the spirit remains the same: service grounded in empathy and solidarity.

A Call to Action

On this International Day of Charity, UPF renews its pledge to foster a global culture of compassion and practical service. We call upon Ambassadors for Peace, leaders of faith and business, government officials, UN agencies, and civil society organizations to redouble their efforts. Together, let us:

• Collaborate on relief, health, and education initiatives.

• Share expertise and resources across sectors.

• Mentor future generations in empathy and service.

  
  

As our founders affirmed, “True peace comes when people live for the sake of others.” Today, that wisdom is more urgent than ever. By mobilizing volunteers, supporting humanitarian projects, and championing policies that uplift the poor and marginalized, we can build a safer, more inclusive, and more compassionate world, a world in which every person is recognized as part of one global family.

We pray that the spirit of charity may guide leaders and citizens alike. By working hand in hand, across religions and borders, we can ensure that this day, and every day, is marked by service, unity, and hope.

Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President, UPF International September 5, 2025