Zambia Day of Peace Celebration Draws Multisector Audience
Lusaka, Zambia – UPF-Zambia held a commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace and the 21st anniversary of UPF on October 1, 2026, at the Peace Embassy in Lusaka. Attendees included ambassadors for peace, senior citizens, youth representatives, representatives of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, leaders of NGOs and professional organizations, students and members of the general public. The broad attendance reflected UPF’s commitment to inclusive, interfaith and multisector peacebuilding.
Rev. Lawrence Banda, deputy secretary general of UPF-Zambia, served as MC and introduced the program. Participants began by singing the Zambia national anthem, affirming a shared sense of patriotism and purpose. Apostle Brian Nkonde offered the opening prayer for peace, unity and cooperation among all communities. The MC then welcomed the guests and introduced the dignitaries. These included Rev. Andy Tshaba, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) Zambia; Rev. Rudolf Faerber, UPF-Zambia secretary general; Mrs. Edith Mwila from Families Are Nations, Apostle Nkonde of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD); Grand Mufti Assadullah Mwale; Rev. Atlas Samukuma, WCLC Zambia secretary general; and Rev. Bakary Camara, former Africa continental director of FFWPU.
In his opening remarks Rev. Rudolf Faerber greeted the delegates and set out the gathering’s two purposes: to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace and to celebrate the 21st anniversary of UPF’s founding. He expressed gratitude to UPF’s founders, the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han, recognizing their vision and generosity in establishing UPF and donating the Peace Embassy building as a center for interfaith harmony and civic peace education.
A video introduced UPF’s global peace initiatives, including its interfaith work, youth empowerment, peace education and partnerships with the United Nations and civil society. Rev. Faerber also shared a PPT presentation titled “UPF and UN, A Journey for Peace.”
Mr. Joseph Kambele, president of the Make Zambia Great Movement, presented a youth perspective on peace and national development. He observed that without peace, young people are deprived of opportunities, and emphasized the need for stability, dialogue and cooperation to unlock Zambia’s full potential. He also described peace in practical terms: schools without fear, opportunities to build a future, dignity within families, and communities where disagreement does not become enmity. His message was that young people are leaders today, not only tomorrow.
Building peace requires people to disagree without becoming enemies, he said, rejecting violence, challenging misinformation and choosing dialogue. It also requires a two-way partnership that gives young people space in leadership, governance, entrepreneurship, education and peacebuilding. The older generation brings wisdom, while young people bring energy, creativity and technology; together they can turn challenges into solutions.
Mrs. Judith Mwila, country director and founder of Families Are Nations (FAN), spoke about the role of families in cultivating peace. She highlighted mothers’ responsibility as children’s first teachers of peace, shaping their character, empathy and moral foundations. She said, “A mother is the first preacher of peace to an infant while in the womb,” and reflected that a mother’s love is greater than any other. Before a child takes a first step, she is there to assist; and the way a mother treats a child shapes how that child will treat others. She emphasized that peace begins in the family: when it is lost there, it will not be found outside. The family, she said, is the school of love and peace.
During the vote of thanks and interfaith reflection, Grand Mufti Assadullah Mwale said that peace is central to the teachings of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. He described the family as a school of peace and stated, “If you are not at peace, you can’t share what you don’t have.”
Professor Bishop Misheck Michael Mubeta, Overseer of God’s Agenda Ministries, delivered the closing message, reaffirming the important contributions of both the United Nations and UPF to peace, dialogue and cooperation. After delivering his message, he offered the closing prayer for national harmony and global peace.
Dignitaries jointly cut the Peace Cake, symbolizing unity, shared purpose and a collective commitment to building a peaceful Zambia. The cake was subsequently shared with participants.
Participants agreed that peacebuilding takes place not only in conference rooms but also in families, schools, communities and online. They identified stronger family, school, youth and other socio-economic activities, together with interfaith dialogue, as pillars of peace. They called for young people to be included in future UN and UPF programs as co-creators rather than simply as audience. Proposed follow-up activities included a Youth Peace Dialogue, an Interfaith Dialogue, hospitality and community service activities.
Delegates gathered for a group photograph that captured the spirit of unity and interfaith cooperation. The event concluded with refreshments, giving participants an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and strengthen partnerships for future peace initiatives.
The event was covered by more than 15 media outlets, including radio and television stations, newspapers and online media.
By Fabrice Djimadoum, UPF-Zambia October 1, 2026
