Universal Peace Federation – UK Celebrates the United Nations International Day of Peace
📅 Sunday, 24 September 2024 | 🏛️ 43 Lancaster Gate, London
The Universal Peace Federation UK (UPF-UK) marked the United Nations International Day of Peace 2024 with a special programme at its London headquarters, bringing together faith leaders, Ambassadors for Peace, youth representatives, academics, and community leaders to reaffirm the global call for peace, unity, and dialogue. It was an inspiring event bringing together individuals committed to fostering peace and harmony in our world.
🌍 A Global Call for Peace
The International Day of Peace, established by the UN, is observed annually to strengthen the ideals of peace through non-violence, reconciliation, and international cooperation. UPF-UK’s commemoration highlighted the urgent need for conflict resolution, interfaith harmony, and sustainable development in a world facing growing divisions and crises. The theme of the UN International Day was Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The UPF – UK Introductory video included a short clip of the former UN Secretary General, H.E. Ban, Ki-moon. He praised the multi-sectoral approach of UPF that include former Heads of State, Parliamentarians, Religious Leaders, Media Professionals, Academicians, Business people and Economists and Arts and Culture. Robin Marsh referred to this as an approach to cultivating the culture of peace.
🎤 Inspiring Voices
The event featured reflections from religious leaders, civil society representatives, and young peacebuilders, who shared perspectives on peace education, human rights, community cohesion, and dialogue across cultures and faiths.
Testimonies included practical examples of how local initiatives in the UK and international peace projects supported by UPF are contributing to building trust, solidarity, and resilience.
✨ Peace in Action
Participants engaged in interfaith prayers, discussions, and networking, reaffirming UPF’s mission of promoting interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universal values. The programme concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the vision of “One Family Under God” as a guiding principle for lasting peace.
UN International Day of Peace Programme: Video Link
UPF Introductory Video
Welcome from UPF UK Patron Duchess Nivin ElGamal of Lamberton - Video Link
Ian Pelham Turner: Journalist, Commentator and Broadcaster - Video Link
Hilde Rapp: Co Director at Centre for International Peacebuilding London - Video Link
Aurangzeb Akbar: Leading UPF UK Ambassador for Peace - Video Link
Liaquat Ali: Former Councillor and Mayor of Waltham Forest - Video Link
Timothy John Baptiste: Founder of Time 4 Peace - Video Link
Lorna Marah: CEO and Founder of Rhybia Consulting / Leadership Expert and Transformation Business Consultant - Video Link
Comments from the Audience - Video Link
Including Bhawna Arora: Internationally Awarded / UN Women UK Delegate /Peace Ambassador Universal Peace Federation
and Rev. Lady Dawnecia Palmer.
UPF branches across the globe joined together to mark this significant occasion, reaffirming our commitment to peace, unity, and building bridges between nations and communities. In a time when the world seems increasingly divided, this gathering offered a moment of reflection and a renewed call to action for creating a peaceful and united world.
We were very grateful to the volunteers who supported this programme and made it possible.
Universal Peace Federation - UK is a registered charity: No. 1185412
UPF is an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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For more details, please visit: www.uk.upf.org