February Newsletter from UPF International

February 2026 Many UPF events highlighted themes of religious liberty and interfaith cooperation, as chapters around the world marked World Interfaith Harmony Week from February 1-7. Also, UPF launched a new 100-day campaign, focused on community service projects with local partners on every continent. For more on these activities, visit www,upf,org.

100 Days of Serving Community From February 20 to June 1, 2026, UPF invites cross-sector partners to engage with us in cooperation, volunteer service, and strengthened family life. The campaign, “100 Days of Serving Community,” culminates on June 1, the Global Day of Parents. Through collaboration with UPF, our partners can broaden volunteer engagement around local priorities, gain international visibility through UPF communication channels, and increase public confidence.

Religious Liberty Advocates Meet in Washington, D.C.

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.

UPF Honors Late Philippines Speaker Jose de Venecia Manila, Philippines – A UPF delegation traveled to the Philippines to pay solemn tribute to Hon. Jose de Venecia Jr., five-time speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and ambassador for peace, who passed away on February 10, 2026, at the age of 89.

Vienna Conference: Religions Support Peaceful World Order Vienna, Austria – Commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF-Europe and the Middle East, in cooperation with the UN Correspondents Association Vienna, the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations, Youth and Students for Peace, and the Women’s Federation for World Peace, held a conference on the theme, “The Relevance of Religions for a Peaceful World Order” at the UN Vienna International Center on January 30, 2026, with 200 guests in attendance.

Beirut Clergy Voice Support for Interfaith Collaboration Beirut, Lebanon – At the Palm Beach Hotel near the seafront in Beirut, UPF- Lebanon organized an interreligious gathering on February 11, 2026, to commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week. Among those in attendance were distinguished clergy leaders from different backgrounds.

Religious Leaders in Ecuador Vow to Exemplify Peace

Quito, Ecuador – Religious leaders from different faiths gathered in Quito on

February 7, 2026, for an event organized by UPF-Ecuador to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week. Priests from the Anglican and Orthodox churches joined Catholic missionaries, Protestant pastors, and representatives of Hinduism, Islam and Family Federation for World Peace in sharing their messages of peace and harmony.