UPF International: Partnerships That Deliver for Communities — Tageldin Ibrahim Hamad

As March 2026 begins, the Universal Peace Federation launches the first full month of its 100 Days of Serving Community campaign, running from February 20 to June 1, 2026, and culminating on the Global Day of Parents. The purpose is intentionally practical: rebuilding community trust through visible cooperation, hands-on service, and concrete support for family life.

UPF works internationally as an NGO in general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Our work supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with special attention this month to Sustainable Development Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. This aligns with the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, held at United Nations Headquarters on January 27, 2026, which convened stakeholders to accelerate SDG partnerships and build momentum toward the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Our founders, Dr. Hak Ja Han and the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, have framed peace as a responsibility practiced in public life, and rooted in strong families, as the first school of love and respect. They have taught living for others through practical service, including UPF’s long-standing service projects in which youth serve their own and other communities. In this vision of peace, the concept of One Family under God is not rhetoric. It is a daily reminder that every person is a precious child of God, far more than a category, a constituency, or a statistic.

Where social trust is fraying and polarization deepens, partnerships offer a proven alternative. They combine legitimacy, competence, and shared responsibility, and they deliver results that communities can

see and feel.

We therefore designate March as the Month of Partnerships. This is the month to renew relationships, build new ones, and agree on a small number of joint actions that communities can recognize. UPF welcomes cooperation with municipalities and local institutions, civil society organizations, educators and youth networks, faith communities engaged in service, professional associations, and responsible businesses. Partnership, in this campaign, follows a simple discipline: agree on one shared priority, contribute real capacity, and document outcomes transparently, so the public can see exactly what cooperation achieves.

This month aligns directly with key UN observances that lend themselves to local cooperation. World Wildlife Day on March 3 highlights stewardship of biodiversity. International Women’s Day on March 8 underlines the social value of women’s leadership and equal dignity. This focus resonates with the International Year of the Woman Farmer, 2026, highlighting women’s leadership in building resilient communities. The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), convening at United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 9-19, 2026, places global attention on access to justice for women and girls and on participation in public life.

These gatherings advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and prepare the ground for April’s emphasis on visible volunteer service in line with the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development and UPF’s long-standing Service for Peace projects.

The International Day of Happiness on March 20 reminds public leaders that well-being is a legitimate policy goal. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, alongside the International Day of Forests, reminds us that social cohesion and environmental stewardship are not separate efforts. They require the same ethic of shared responsibility. World Water Day on March 22, with the 2026 theme Water and Gender, invites partner-led initiatives on water stewardship that advance gender equality, including practical cooperation with women farmers and rural communities. The International Day of Zero Waste on March 30 offers a practical frame for visible action through schools, local governments, and civic groups.

Alongside these observances, March 2026 includes major UN policy processes where partnerships are tested in practice. The 61st session of the Human Rights Council meets in Geneva from February 23 to March 31, 2026, highlighting the importance of dignity, lawful governance, and social stability. UN forums such as the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (March 9-13, 2026, in Vienna) convene during the month. Parallel to the Human Rights Council, the NERPS 2026 Conference at the United Nations University Headquarters in Tokyo from March 4-7 advances partnerships on how technology can strengthen multilateralism for peace and sustainability.

During March, partners may choose to coordinate a dialogue forum, a service project, a skills-based volunteer initiative, a youth-led community activity, or a family-support program that is feasible to repeat.

These are not one-off gestures. A river clean-up with local government, a skills-sharing workshop with educators, an interfaith dialogue on family support, each builds on proven UPF models. We thank every partner who invests time and credibility in this shared work. April will highlight visible volunteer service, and May will focus on family and values-based education as we approach the Global Day of Parents. In March, the starting point is clear: partnerships that deliver measurable benefit and strengthen trust.

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Feb 20 - 2 min read

100 DAYS OF SERVING COMMUNITY

From February 20 to June 1. 2026, UPF invites cross-sector partners to advance community trust through cooperation, volunteer service, and strengthened family life. This period marks UPF’s 100-day campaign entitled, ·100 Days of Serving Community.” The campaign culminates on June 1, the_illQ_b_aJ__Q_ay~.

As an organization in consultat ive status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. UPF connects local peacebuilding with t he United Nations agenda and the practical spirit of the Sustainable Development fu&ll;, including_fil)_()J_i, (peace, justice and strong institutions), which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies. This campaign also resonates with the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Oeveloru:nent which highlights volunteer action and civic participation as drivers of social cohesion and resilience.

Through collaboration w ith UPF, partners can broaden volunteer engagement around local priorit ies, gain int ernational visibility through UPF communicat ion channels. and strengthen public con fidence by placing measurable community benefit at the center of joint act ivity. Outcomes can be documented in short public updates and visual materials that acknowledge partner participation and make results accessible to wider audiences.

Work across the campaign is organized around a three-month sequence of themes. March emphasizes partnerships, wit h at tention to cooperation wit h municipalit ies, civil society organizations, educators, fait h communities, youth networks, and local inst itutions. April emphasizes visible volu nt eer service that communit ies can recognize and welcome. May emphasizes families and values- based education, wi th special C. attention to the role of mothers and women as the heart of st ro ng families, a them e that resonates w ith ~ the Int ernational Year of t he woman Farmer 2026-This prepares t he ground for t he International Oay..Ql B ~ .Eamil.i..e.s on May 15 and the Global Day of Parents on June 1. <.> ca a:, During the campaign period, partners may also choose to align joint act ivities w it h w idely recognized UN observances, including the~ v . of Social Just ice on February 20. the Int erna t ional Oay…Qf__SQ.O..ct.1or. DeYltlopment and Peace on April 6. and International Mother Earth Da¥ on April 22.

UPF founders p r Hak Ja Han and the late..Re.Y…S..!m.y..v.ng.M.o.o.n have t aught that lasting peace grows when families are strong, moral responsibility is practiced in public life, and service becomes a living culture that transcends differences. Living for the sake of ot hers is t he true source of peace and human dignity. They t aught that every act of service is an expression of one’s identity as a child of God and a member of One Family under God. In t his spirit. by promoting dialogue. part nership, and community service. the campaign serves as a practical contribution to the_.2.ll. N..M~-

We warmly invite every partner to join us in this spirit of service. so that together we may strengthen communit ies, st rengthen fa mil ies, and make const ruct ive contribut ions that endure beyond the campaign period and contribute directly to the achievement of the Sustainabl e Development Goals.

Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President, UPF-lnternational February 20, 2026

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Global Day of Parents serves as a reminder of the vital role families play and underscores the importance of investing in nurturing, playful parenting. I PHOTO: U NDP Eurasia / Anu s h Babajanyan

Appreciate All Parents Throughout the World Since the 1980s, the important role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community. The General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions and proclaimed the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.

Emphasizing the critical role of parents in the rearing of children, the Global Day of Parents recognizes that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. For the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.

Designated by the General Assembly in 2012, Global Day of Parents provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their “selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.”

Families, parents and caregivers play a central role in child well-being and development. They offer identity, love, care, provision and protection to children and adolescents as well as economic security and stability. In keeping with the spirit of the Conventio n on the Rights of the Child, family and parenting support is increasingly recognized as an important part of national social policies and social investment packages aimed at reducing poverty, decreasing inequality and promoting positive parental and child well-being.

2025 Theme: Raising Parents On the Global Day of Parents 2025, the theme “Raising Parents” draws attention to an essential but often underappreciated reality: parenting is a learned skill. Parents and caregivers require time, resources, and support in order to raise children in a nurturing and positive environment.

As part of this year’s observance, UNICEF will launch Parenting Month 2025 to highlight the importance of equipping caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need. The month-long campaign w ill feature touching stories about the joys and challenges of parenthood, share practical parenting tips and resources, and call for greater suppo rt for caregivers through parenting programmes.

Raising Parents: Empowering every family to thrive Raising Parents is not j ust a documentary, it’s a call to action.

Parent ing is a journey. A journey filled with love, challenges and endless learning. Raising a child is every parent’s most

precious task, but too often caregivers around the world are left to do it alone.

Background During the 1980’s, the United Nations began focusing attention on the issues related to the family. In 1983, based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development in its resolution on the Role of the family in the development process (}~~~( ?~) requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family, as well as of effective ways of meeting those needs.

In its resolution :’!:’l:( ~? of 9 December 1989, The General Assembly proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Famil)’; and in resolution47! ?37 of 1993, the General Assembly decided that 15 May of every year to be observed as the ,1,n,te=, , m,a,,t.,i,o ,,_:n.a.,,,I_,==, o ,,f,_,Fa,,,m _,__:_ ,i_ .1_ .i.e _=s=. In 2012, the General Assembly proclaimed 1 J une as the Global Day of Parents, to be observed annually in honour of parents throughout the world.

Did you know?

Being a parent is the most important job in the world. But many parents don’t get the time and support they need to be with their children.

Parental involvement is widely regarded as an essential factor in children’s health and well- being, including academic achievement.

A lack of parental involvement, and inappropriate discipline practices make children more vulnerable to mental health disorders, including substance abuse.

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Related links • General Assem bly resolut ion est ablishingt heglobal_Day • lJfllRep ortsa11dgesolutio11son Fc1rnily

• Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention • Maternity Protection Convention Remuneration Convention • Maternity Protection Convention {Revised} • Discrimination {Employment and Occupation) Convention • l/v_o_rkp laceSolutions ..FCJr..9hil~care • Reconciling Work And Family Responsibi lities: Practical Ideas f rom Global Experience • Declaration on Social Progress and Development • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Right ~ • Convention on the of the Child • Universal Dec laration of Human

Related Observances • International Women’s Day • International Day of Play • International of Older Persons • International Day of Family Remittances • International Widows’ Day • World Children’s • International for the Elimination of Violence Women • International Migrants Day More observances » - ············- ···············- ····-···········- ···············- ···············-

Support for parenting Families and Parents: Key to Why do we mark International Achieving the SDGs Days? Like no one else, parents and caregivers shape the experiences that build t heir Families remain at the centre of social life, International days and weeks are children’s brains and set them on a path ensuring the well-being of their members, occasions to educate the public on issues towards healthy development. Parenting is educating and socializing children and of concern, to mobilize political will and too big a j ob for parents and caregivers to youth and caring for young and old. In resources to address global problems, and do alone. They need support to give their particular, family-oriented policies can to celebrate and reinforce achievements of children the best possible start in life. contribute to the achievement of humanity. The existence of international Sustainable Development Goals relating to days predates the establishment of the doing away with poverty and hunger; United Nations, but the UN has embraced ensuring healthy lives and promoting of them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also well-being for all ages; ensuring mark other UN observances. educational opportunities throughout the lifespan and achieving gender equality.