Skopje, Macedonia - Taking advantage of the presence of UPF International President, Dr. Thomas Walsh, and UPF-Europe Secretary General, Mr. Mark Brann, for the Third International Conference: Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations (organized by the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO), UPF-Macedonia and FON University organized a conference on May 10 to introduce UPF to professors and students.

Programs in commemoration of Africa Day 2013 are being organized by UPF chapters in Australia, Netherlands, and the UK. This year, the African Union is commemorating 50 years since the formation of the Organization of African Unity. The celebrations, which are themed “2013, Year of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance,” will begin in Addis Ababa on May 25, and will be followed by a year of celebrations across the globe.

Jerusalem, Israel - The Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) pilgrims spent their last full day in the Holy Land marching arm in arm through the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem chanting, “Peace, Shalom, Salaam Alaikum. Let’s Bring Peace to the Middle East!” About 200 people gathered at the Jaffa Gate on the west side of the Old City of Jerusalem on the morning of May 18. Archbishop George A. Stallings, chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference, prayed before the departure.

Sendai, Japan - In order to revitalize the Tohoku Region in Japan, the worst-affected area of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and also to celebrate the Independence Day of Togo, a music concert was held on April 28 in Sendai city of the Miyagi prefecture, one of the central cities of the Tohoku Region.

Moscow, Russia - A Pageant of Beauty, Character, and Lifestyle took place at the Russian Federation Social University in Moscow on May 18. Among the participants were students of Moscow universities. This contest is unique because the jury takes into consideration not only the external appearance of the contestants but also their character and lifestyle.

UPF chapters observed the UN International Day of Families with a variety of activities including forums and programs to benefit the public. The theme chosen by the United Nations for this year's May 15 observance was "Advancing social integration and intergenerational solidarity." Read reports from Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Russia, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the UK.

Kathmandu, Nepal - In a unique educational initiative UPF-Nepal partnered with five business colleges, including the first and largest university in Nepal, to conduct a half-day program entitled Leadership Training in the Business World.”The seminar held in Kathmandu at UPF’s Peace Embassy building on May 11 attracted more than 100 students of business and commerce at both the bachelor's and master's level. 

Kiev, Ukraine - The challenges of the 21st century require changes in contemporary education to help young people become competent, creative, and competitive, able to solve problems creatively, and improve their own lives and their country. To address such important issues, a nationwide theoretical and practical conference on “The Essential Competencies of Education in 11 Years of Schooling” was held March 28-29 at Pechersk Gymnasium No. 75 in Kiev.