Commemorations of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week 2012 organized by Universal Peace Federation chapters in many parts of the world, World peace can be fully accomplished only when the wisdom and efforts of the world’s religious leaders are combined cooperatively and respectfully with the endeavors of national political leaders. Absent the recognition of spiritual principles, the world has drifted increasingly toward analyses and prescriptions that are materialistic and secular in nature. In so doing, we have lost sight of the profound wisdom to be found in humanity’s spiritual heritage. Global institutions must be built on a foundation that takes into account the full potential of the human being, not only as a political, economic, and social being, but also as a spiritual being with spiritual needs and a capacity for spiritual wisdom and insight. The legacy of the world’s great saints, prophets, sages, and spiritual leaders cannot be denied or discounted without ignoring what is most fundamental about the human being. In too many ways the history of religion has been marked by narrow sectarianism, strife, and competitive struggle with other faiths, all to the detriment of the cherished goals and teachings of the founders and scriptures. This cannot continue. The need to eliminate corruption, selfishness, and bad governance applies not only to all nations but also to all of the world’s religions. Lasting peace depends on cooperative partnerships between governments and religions, as well as NGOs and representatives of the private sector. The United Nations can benefit from a council of religious and spiritual leaders to bring broad vision and wisdom to the effort to address critical global problems. International conferences, publications, networking, and on-the-ground activism are mechanisms for interfaith cooperation and lay a foundation for spiritual renewal at the United Nations.

1. Albania Japan
Australia Kazakhstan
Austria Malaysia
Brazil Moldova
Canada Nepal
Chile Netherlands
Colombia Philippines
Czech Poland
Republic Russia
Ecuador Slovakia
Georgia South Korea
Germany St. Lucia
Honduras Taiwan
Hungary Thailand
India UK
Indonesia US
Israel Zambia
Italy

2. UN General Assembly
Resolution
Resolution “Encourages all states to support, on
A/65/PV.34 a voluntary basis, the spread of the
Proclaims the message of interfaith harmony and
first week of
February of goodwill in the world’s churches,
every year the mosques, synagogues, temples and
World Interfaith
Harmony Week other places of worship during that
between all week, based on love of God and love
religions, faiths
and beliefs. of one’s neighbor or on love of the
good and love of one’s neighbor, each
Adopted
20 October 2010 according to their own religious
traditions or convictions.”

3. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
United Nations General Assembly Hall
Ambassadors to the UN and UN officials join with
religious leaders and representatives of faith-based
charities in advocating for greater cooperation.

4. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Korca, Albania
Discussing local interfaith issues

5. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Sydney, Australia
Sharing about what people have learned from other
faith traditions

6. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Vienna, Austria
Listening to the perspectives of youth from various
faiths

7. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Assembling representatives of many religions in the
Sao Paulo city hall

8. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Speaking about interfaith harmony in the Sao Paulo
State Congress

9. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Montreal, Canada
Reading words of wisdom by notable peacemakers

10. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Santiago, Chile
Introducing the value of interreligious understanding
and harmony

11. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Bogota, Colombia
Meeting to plan ways to develop interfaith activities

12. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Prague, Czech Republic
Learning from representatives of five religions

13. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Quito, Ecuador
Learning about interfaith initiatives in various parts of
the world

14. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Tbilisi, Georgia
Encouraging one another to spread the message of
interfaith harmony

15. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Munich, Germany
Exploring the mystical traditions of various religions

16. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Stuttgart, Germany
Making new friends as part of building a “House of
Religions”

17. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Offering prayers for peace

18. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Budapest, Hungary
Participating in a Water of Peace ceremony

19. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
New Delhi, India
Debating the need for interreligious harmony

20. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Jakarta, Indonesia
Exploring insights from local wisdom for
peacebuilding

21. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Jakarta, Indonesia
Participating in a coloring contest on the theme of
“Global Harmony and Peace”

22. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Jerusalem, Israel
Discussing a proposal to establish a peace academy

23. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Bergamo, Italy
Pouring water into a common bowl signifying
interfaith cooperation

24. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Tokyo, Japan
Offering prayers for interfaith harmony and victims of
the 2011 earthquake

25. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Sharing insights about interfaith initiatives in various
parts of the world

26. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pouring water into a common bowl to symbolize
unity of heart

27. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Chisinau, Moldova
Bridging barriers through humor drawn from various
faith traditions

28. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Kathmandu, Nepal
Lighting 12 candles for peace

29. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Chitwan, Nepal
Learning from monks, gurus, and imams

30. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Pokhara, Nepal
Sharing wisdom from eight religious traditions

31. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Enjoying the welcoming atmosphere at Amsterdam’s
Dialogue Center

32. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Sultan Kudarat, Philippines
Listening to the governor and bishop speak during a
flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol

33. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Warsaw, Poland
Encouraging people to go beyond tolerance to
mutual acceptance and working together

34. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Moscow, Russia
Promoting understanding and respect for Russia’s
diverse religious traditions

35. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Kondopoga, Russia
Giving a concert of sacred choral music

36. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia
Spreading the word about Interfaith Harmony Week
through an “Hour of Running”

37. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Novosibirsk, Russia
Offering interreligious prayers and engaging in
conversation

38. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Ryazan, Russia
Publicizing a vision of interreligious harmony

39. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
St. Petersburg, Russia
Visiting places of worship during a Religious Youth
Service project

40. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Vladivostok, Russia
Building new relationships that promote
interreligious harmony

41. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Yekaterinburg, Russia
Drawing on resources of many faiths in order to
promote peace

42. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Bratislava, Slovakia
Listening to representatives of various faiths

43. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Seoul, South Korea
Lighting candles representing a commitment to
interfaith respect and cooperation

44. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Anse-la-Raye, St. Lucia
Discussing values taught by all religions

45. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Visiting the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial
Center

46. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Bangkok, Thailand
Building a spirit of cooperation beyond religious and
cultural boundaries

47. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
London, United Kingdom
Exploring the dynamics of forgiveness and
reconciliation

48. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Salt Lake City, USA
Dedicating a monthly interfaith prayer breakfast as
an observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week

49. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Washington, DC, USA
Coming together to promote freedom, family, faith,
and service

50. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
Lusaka, Zambia
Building enthusiasm for interreligious dialogue and
understanding

51. INTERFAITH
HARMONY
WEEK 2012
For more information see
upf.org/united-nations/interfaith-harmony-
week