902, Avenue Ste-Croix, Montréal
On September 27, 2026, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) held a seminar on the principles of peace—an opportunity for study and sharing on the foundations necessary for building a peaceful world. About fifteen partners from the Peace Road event and other friends of UPF were in attendance, representing diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
The program followed an earlier gathering on September 12, when the UPF and its partners, supported by elected officials, cycled together for peace. Each participant expressed, through their own culture, their commitment to a peaceful world and to the realization of a global family centered on God.
The first presentation on the program was given by Robert Duffy, Secretary-General of UPF Canada. His presentation focused on the UPF approach to peace-making. Centered on five basic principles guiding the organization’s activities, he expanded on each in turn, elaborating the underlying philosophy animating the UPF work.
Duffy stressed that competing worldviews have emerged in the modern age, with science pointing toward the physical unity and common origin of humanity, and religious traditions interpreting ultimate origins in relation to a Creator. He stated that both are legitimate avenues of enquiry into the nature of the universe we live in. Human well-being will be achieved when both spirit and body are nourished appropriately with equal priority.
Noting that religions can both cause conflict and build peace, he suggested that religious forces can play a constructive role in building peace by orienting towards interfaith interaction, a field in which UPF has done much work over the years.
A key element in the UPF philosophy for peace is that love and peace are nourished and developed first within the family. Learning to communicate, to share, to forgive, to live for others, and to make the compromises necessary for a climate of peace is possible in a healthy family whose core is a faithful and committed couple. In short, UPF supports healthy family life as a central foundation for the healthy society, nation and world.
Franco Famularo, president of UPF Canada and coordinator of the International Summit Council for Peace, began by presenting the book World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts, published by UPF and available online, which brings together the perspectives of various religions on a wide range of topics. It demonstrates that religions have more in common than they have differences.
Mr. Famularo went on to explain how the UPF’s approach is put into practice through projects such as the Peace Summit, which brings together current and former world leaders. He cited the example of the most recent summit, held on June 18 on the theme “The Future of the Rule of Law,” which was attended by H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former president of Nigeria; H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President of the Philippines; H.E. José Manuel Barroso, former Prime Minister of Portugal and former President of the European Commission; and H.E. Anthony Carmona, former President of Trinidad and Tobago. He explained how the UPF is equally committed to promoting dialogue among the media, academia, religious leaders, the cultural and arts communities, and the sports community.
The presentations were followed by question-and-answer sessions, which highlighted the challenges of achieving such peace. Among other things, these included fostering genuine reconciliation among peoples who have been divided and restoring all aspects of family love.
The discussion concluded on a hopeful note: an idea whose time has come—one that is stronger than an army on the march.
The seminar ended with a roundtable discussion—a very valuable time for sharing, discovering each person’s missions and commitments, strengthening networks, and calling for mutual support.