On December 13, 2025, at the headquarters of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Paris, a meeting was jointly organized by UPF and the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) to commemorate the 77th anniversary of International Human Rights Day, under the theme: "Human Rights and Our Responsibility."
The two organizations, both holding general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), also marked the close of a symbolic year, celebrating both the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 20th anniversary of the UPF. To conclude the event, several participants were invited to receive an Ambassador for Peace certificate awarded by UPF.
Before a packed room of guests from diverse cultures and nationalities, Ms. Brigitte Wada, president of WFWP-France and moderator of the meeting, welcomed all the participants before giving the floor to the four speakers.
Mr. Jacques Marion, president of UPF France, addressed the contemporary conception of human rights, highlighting the often-neglected importance of duties, responsibility, and fraternity. While liberty and equality are widely claimed as rights, he emphasized, fraternity is too often neglected because it is primarily a duty. He reminded the audience that an exclusive focus on rights claims leads societies to lose sight of personal ethics and spirituality.
He then discussed the creation of the UN in the context of the Cold War, a period marked by the marginalization of the spiritual in favor of the political and legal. He recalled Dag Hammarskjöld's warning about the need for a spiritual renaissance to preserve civilization, as well as the commitment of the founders UPF to international reconciliation, despite ideological divisions. UPF thus advocates for the integration of an interfaith council within the UN to better address contemporary conflicts, often marked by religious or ethnic dimensions. Finally, he raised concerns about the worrying decline of religious freedoms in Asia, particularly in South Korea, where some religious leaders are persecuted, even imprisoned, because of their political stances.
Mr. Driss Senda, President of UPF in Congo-Brazzaville, then addressed the challenge of peace in the face of the complexities of today's world. He described a major historical transition, characterized by the relative decline of Western dominance in favor of East Asia, leading to the erosion of the international order based on dialogue and law. This pivotal period, he explained, creates a geopolitical “grey zone” in which intimidation tends to replace dialogue, while the explosion of military budgets calls into question the very credibility of the ideal of peace.
In a globalized world where no power can now impose its will unilaterally, he emphasized that UPF and its Ambassadors of Peace have a mission to act as “beacons of light” in the face of authoritarian tendencies and identity-based isolationism. He concluded by highlighting the fundamental role of culture and creativity, capable of healing the fractures of history and building bridges between peoples.
Dr. Marie-Claude Machon-Honoré, representative of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) to UNESCO and former chair of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, then highlighted UNESCO’s role and the importance of education and art as vehicles for resistance and peace. She emphasized that no lasting peace is possible without the full and complete inclusion of women, who bring skills, perspectives, and community networks essential to the resilience and reconstruction of post-conflict societies.
In this context, art emerges as a fundamental lever for resistance, healing, and reconstruction. Concrete examples illustrate this: in Gaza, traditional dance helps preserve dignity and cultural identity; in Mexico, dance becomes an act of silent resistance against oppression; and on Jeju Island, South Korea, drawing and painting serve to release collective traumatic memories and initiate a process of community healing.
Finally, Ms. Carolyn Handschin, president of the UN NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Geneva, Switzerland, presented the “No Peace Without Women” initiative, born out of the urgency and emotion sparked by the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This initiative is based on the conviction that conflicts are not inevitable and that their prevention requires the mobilization of all active forces in society, particularly women.
The initiative aims both to bring together political and institutional decision-makers and to amplify the voices of women in civil society within peace and security processes. It builds upon a historical tradition demonstrating the crucial impact of women in conflict resolution and reconstruction, as exemplified by the Liberian women’s movement that contributed to achieving peace in 2003. Driven by an instinct to protect children and communities, this mobilization of women constitutes a powerful lever for building lasting peace.
The afternoon concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by the appointment of fourteen new Ambassadors for Peace, and then a friendly afternoon tea, during which participants were able to create or deepen ties, and outline joint projects for the coming year.