The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, known as IAPD, is one of the primary associations within the Universal Peace Federation structure.
At the Universal Peace Federation, our efforts to promote interreligious dialogue and cooperation are at the core of our mission to contribute to building a world of lasting peace. This work reflects UPF’s recognition of the enduring and essential role that religion continues to play in the lives of billions across the world, impacting virtually all aspects of life, including morality, culture, family life, and human relationships.
Religious leaders are closely connected to the people, at the grassroots level, and are there through both the good times and the bad, including times of conflict, displacement, illness and social disruption. The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) works to assist and support religious leaders and believers from all faith traditions in their efforts to resolve conflict and to serve the wider society and world. This effort lies at the very core of UPF’s peacebuilding work.
IAPD was launched in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on November 13, 2017. Over 400 delegates from over 60 nations endorsed its founding resolution. Participants included religious leaders, representatives of faith-based organizations, parliamentarians, academics and civil society figures. Dr. Hak Ja Han created the association five years after the passing of late Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
