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 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.

Vienna, Austria -  UPF-Austria held a panel discussion on April 16 on the current situation in Syria. Sixty people attended, among them quite a few Syrians of different faiths, convictions, and loyalties living in Vienna. If the rebels in Syria come to power, the Christians in the audience said, they fear that previous guarantees of religious freedom would be lost.

Hanoi, Vietnam - Israeli vocalist David D’Or and American conductor David Eaton--both of whom are Ambassadors for Peace--performed with the Hanoi Philharmonic at the Hanoi Opera House as part of the “Friendship Melody” concert commemorating the 20th anniversary of Israeli and Vietnam diplomatic relations. The concert took place on April 11 and was attended by numerous diplomats and the respective ambassadors of Israel and Vietnam.