by Fabrice Djimadoum
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) held a commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Peace and the 21st anniversary of UPF on 1 October 2026 at the Peace Embassy in Lusaka. Around 80 people attended, including Rev. Andy Tshaba, President of FFWPU Zambia; Rev. Rudolf Faerber, UPF Secretary-General; Mrs. Edith Mwila, Families Are Nations and Apostle Nkonde of IAPD; Grand Mufti Assadullah Mwale, who is also IAPD Zambia Secretary-General; Rev. Atlas Samukuma, WCLC Zambia Secretary-General; and Rev. Bakary Camara, former Africa Continental Director. Ambassadors for Peace, senior citizens, youth representatives, representatives of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, leaders of NGOs and professional organisations, students, and members of the wider public were also present. The broad attendance reflected UPF’s commitment to inclusive, interfaith and multi-sectoral peacebuilding.
Rev. Lawrence Banda, UPF Zambia Deputy Secretary-General, served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced the programme. Participants began by singing the Zambia National Anthem, affirming a shared sense of patriotism and purpose. Apostle Brian Nkonde of the Jewish Community offered the opening prayer for peace, unity and cooperation among all communities. The Master of Ceremonies then welcomed the guests and introduced the dignitaries.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Rudolf Faerber, Secretary-General of UPF Zambia, greeted the delegates and set out the gathering’s two purposes: to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace and to celebrate the 21st anniversary of UPF’s founding. He expressed gratitude to UPF’s founders, the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, recognising their vision and generosity in establishing UPF and donating the Peace Embassy building as a centre for interfaith harmony and civic peace education.
A video introduced UPF’s global peace initiatives, including its interfaith work, youth empowerment, peace education, and partnerships with the United Nations and civil society. Rev. Faerber also shared a PowerPoint presentation titled “UPF and UN, A journey for Peace.”
Mr. Joseph Kambele, President of the Make Zambia Great Movement, presented a youth perspective on peace and national development. He observed that without peace, young people are deprived of opportunities, and emphasised the need for stability, dialogue and cooperation to unlock Zambia’s full potential. The youth perspective in the report also described peace in practical terms: schools without fear, opportunities to build a future, dignity within families, and communities where disagreement does not become enmity. His message was that young people are leaders today, not only tomorrow. Building peace requires people to disagree without becoming enemies, reject violence, challenge misinformation and choose dialogue. It also requires a two-way partnership that gives young people space in leadership, governance, entrepreneurship, education and peacebuilding. The older generation brings wisdom, while young people bring energy, creativity and technology; together they can turn challenges into solutions. Participants were encouraged to build peace in families, schools, communities, workplaces and online, using technology to educate rather than deceive and their voices to unite rather than divide.
Mrs. Judith Mwila, Country Director and Founder of Families Are Nations (FAN), spoke about the role of families in cultivating peace. She highlighted mothers’ responsibility as children’s first teachers of peace, shaping their character, empathy and moral foundations. She said, “A mother is the first preacher of peace to an infant while in the womb,” and reflected that a mother’s love is greater than any other. Before a child takes a first step, she is there to assist; and the way a mother treats a child shapes how that child will treat others. She emphasised that peace begins in the family: when it is lost there, it will not be found outside. The family, she said, is the school of love and peace.
During the vote of thanks and interfaith reflection, Grand Mufti Assadullah Mwale said that peace is central to the teachings of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. He described the family as a school of peace and stated, “If you are not at peace, you can’t share what you don’t have.”
Professor Bishop Misheck Michael Mubeta, Overseer of God’s Agenda Ministries, delivered the closing message, reaffirming the important contributions of both the United Nations and UPF to peace, dialogue and cooperation. After delivering his message, he offered the closing prayer for national harmony and global peace.
Dignitaries jointly cut the Peace Cake, symbolising unity, shared purpose and a collective commitment to building a peaceful Zambia. The cake was subsequently shared with participants.
Participants agreed that peacebuilding takes place not only in conference rooms but also in families, schools, communities and online. They identified stronger family, school, youth and other socio-economic activities, together with interfaith dialogue, as pillars of peace. They called for young people to be included in future UN and UPF programmes as co-creators rather than simply as audiences. Proposed follow-up activities included a Youth Peace Dialogue, an Interfaith Dialogue, hospitality, and community service activities.
The event was reported as successful, with active participation by young people, senior citizens, women and religious leaders. It was covered by more than 15 media outlets, including radio and television stations, newspapers and online media. The central message was well received: “while the UN provides the institutional and legal framework and structure for peace, UPF provides shared values, interdependence and mutual prosperity culture, and that the two should reconcile in order to attain true peace”.
Delegates gathered for a group photograph that captured the spirit of unity and interfaith cooperation. The event concluded with refreshments, giving participants an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and strengthen partnerships for future peace initiatives.