Who We Are
UPEACE NY is a non-profit organization incorporated in December 2024 with a mission to promote and expand upon the activities of the University for Peace, both within and outside the United Nations, to cultivate a global community committed to the practice of peace.
We do this through three areas of impact
Education and Training
The Young Leaders for Peace program educates the next generation of peace builders
Partnership and Development
We partner with organizations including Amplifier, CodersTrust, and Teachers College, Columbia University
Outreach and Advocacy
Our mission is to cultivate a global community committed to the practice of peace.
Our Story
The story of UPEACE NY starts 44 years ago with the creation of the University for Peace (UPEACE). Founded in 1980, UPEACE was established with approval from the United Nations General Assembly under UN Resolution 35/55. While UPEACE NY operates separately from UPEACE, the University remains a Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations.
Since its founding, UPEACE has trained and educated 10,000+ global leaders in peace. UPEACE NY exists by virtue of the tremendous success of the University for Peace — we are proud to support its elevation into more spaces, for more people, facilitating real change across sectors and across the world.
Meet The Team
Melissa Wild
Founding Director
Nancy Candel Montoya
Program Associate
Krista Smith
Program Director
Rebecca Arnieri
Future Peacebuilders Fellow
Angelica Sanchez
Program Associate
Our Board of Directors
Juan Carlos Sainz-Borg, PhD
Board Member
Ramu Damodaran
Board Member
Azin Aliabadi, MBA, MPA-EPM
Board Member
Our Advisors
Rabih El Tair
Advisor
