Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich passed away January 9 at age 75. He was the UPF - UK Patron and a UPF Presiding Council Member. He was a fatherly man who was willing to support a wide range of good causes. He believed in interfaith dialogue and activities as a way to remove misunderstandings and grow relationships that would facilitate community cohesion. A tribute to Lord King will be held in a committee room of the House of Commons on February 4.

Vienna, Austria - On Sunday afternoon, December 16, UPF-Austria held the last of five concerts which were sponsored by the cultural department of the City of Vienna. It was also a Christmas celebration closing the year's activities of UPF in Vienna under the theme “Slovakian Christmas.”

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Argentina UPF activities closed 2012 with a dinner in Buenos Aires on a significant date preceded by countless warnings about a possible end of the world on December 21, under the theme "Sharing, Recognizing, and Celebrating." It turned into a real holiday in a family atmosphere and interreligious reunion with past and new friendships made during the year.

Haifa, Israel - The Jerusalem Peace and Security Forum meeting on December 25 explored “The Input that the International Powers have on the Development and Sustainability of Israel’s National Resilience.” References were made to the power shift in the Middle East from dictatorial regimes to newly emerging democracies.

Moscow, Russia - UPF-Russia works toward a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula in consultations with Russian and foreign experts and through electronic media and face-to-face communications.

Lima, Peru - On December 22 a group of Young Ambassadors for Peace visited an old people’s hospital in Lima to bring them some Christmas cheer. Following on from weeks of preparations, planning, practicing songs and sketches and soliciting donations for the patients Christmas party the day finally arrived and they could bring some joy and happiness into the lives of these people who have been basically forgotten by society.

Washington DC, USA - UPF's Office of Peace and Security Affairs held forum on the theme of "Tensions between China and Japan: Could the Senkaku / Diaoyo Islands Territorial Dispute Spin Out of Control?” at The Washington Times on December 19.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan - A December 15 forum at the National Library on “Creating a New, Active and Creative Elite in Tajikistan” attracted a hundred grassroots organizers, Ambassadors for Peace, and leaders of Tajikistan's cultural, scientific, and business communities. This was one of several events during a three-day visit by the Secretary General of UPF-Eurasia, Mr. Jacques Marion.