UPF International: October Newsletter from UPF

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October 2025 As UPF begins a 100-day campaign of Harmony and Hope, UPF chapters around the world engage in new impactful and innovative programs to advance global peace. See highlights below, and additional reports at www.upf.org.

UPF Launches Campaign of Harmony and Hope UPF’s global campaign for Harmony and Hope will run for 100 days, from United Nations Day on October 24, 2025, to the start of World Interfaith Harmony Week on February 1, 2026. In line with UN objectives for peace and sustainable development, the campaign invites partners and Ambassadors for Peace to strengthen collaboration, compassion, and integrity in leadership.

Geneva Forum Stresses Women’s Role in Peacemaking

Geneva, Switzerland - The conference “No Peace without Women: No More War - Can We?” featured two distinguished panels of UN officials, government representatives, journalists, and civil society leaders, who highlighted the indispensable role of women and faith-based actors in peacebuilding and the prevention of war. The program was co- organized by the Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), and held in the Palais des Nations in Geneva on October 16, 2025.

Peace Sukkah in Jerusalem Welcomes Guests of All Faiths Jerusalem, Israel - To celebrate the • weeklong festival of Sukkot, UPF-lsrael partnered with the Reform Jewish community for a program of praise songs and reflections on peacemaking. The annual Peace Sukkah gathering took place on October 8, 2025, at the Har-El Synagogue in Jerusalem. Har-El, like UPF, affirms its commitment to interfaith openness and welcomes all guests with respect and love.

Berlin Forum Addresses the Problem of Mental Illness

Berlin, Germany - As the issue of mental illness is increasingly impacting families and societies around the world , UPF-Berlin organized a discussion on this topic on October 11 , 2025, inviting two speakers to share their experiences with this phenomenon. The program coincided with the UN-designated Mental Health Day, set as October 10 in 1992, to shed light on the growing prevalence of mental illness, and to raise understanding for those affected.

Ghana Summit: Artificial Intelligence for Global Harmony

Accra. Ghana - UPF-Ghana marked the

International Day of Peace on September 21 , 2025, with the University Peace Talks Summit, a high-level virtual event that explored the intersection of artificial intelligence (Al) and global peacebuilding, leading to the creation of a Digital Peace Protocol (OPP), a groundbreaking initiative promoting ethical Al use and digital peace education.

Leadership Camp Provides Key Skills to Sri Lankan Youth Monaragala District, Sri Lanka - Students from Kolladeniya College participated in a three-day Leadership Camp organized by , UPF-Sri Lanka and the Religious Youth Service (RYS) of Sri Lanka, from October 4- 6, 2025. Activities included interactive workshops on leadership, communication, and decision-making, as well as team- building and outdoor challenges. There were sessions on character development and principles of peace, aligning with the values of UPF and RYS, and discussions related to the significance of World Children’s Day and children’s rights.

UPF-Argentina and Pacis Nuntii Celebrate Family and Community Parana, Argentina - For the third year, UPF-Argentina and the Pacis Nuntii Movement co-sponsored a program on the theme, “We Are Siblings, We Are Family.” This heartfelt event took place on October 9, 2025, at Mayo Hall in Parana City, with more than 150 participants. The meeting marked the 40th anniversary of the Pacis Nuntii canoe expedition between the Brazilian capital of Brasilia and Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. In 1985, the UN International Youth Year, the canoe paddlers sent a peaceful message of fraternity to the world , carrying the Universal Peace Flag designed by their organization.

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