The summit offered participants practical tools, powerful stories, and meaningful dialogue focused on peacebuilding at both the local and global level.
The day began with a guided visit to the future site of the Southwestern University Peace Garden, located between the Lois Perkins Chapel and the McCombs Campus Center. Attendees then checked in at the F.W. Olin Building before gathering in Lois Perkins Chapel for the opening session and keynote address.
The keynote, Habits of a Peacemaker, was delivered by Steven T. Collis, a nationally recognized law professor at the University of Texas School of Law and leading scholar on First Amendment freedoms and productive discourse. Drawing from his acclaimed book of the same name, Collis challenged participants to adopt daily practices that foster understanding, resilience, and constructive dialogue in an increasingly polarized world. A live question-and-answer session followed, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speaker.
Throughout the morning, participants explored a dynamic display and networking area featuring peacebuilding resources and community initiatives. Highlights included a book signing with Collis, Human Unity project displays, human trafficking awareness resources, Rotary Peace Fellowship information, Peacebuilder Club materials, and exhibits highlighting peace garden efforts in local schools.
Break-out sessions offered attendees the opportunity to tailor their experience to areas of personal interest. Sessions included:
· The Human Unity Project, presented by Texas-based Brazilian artist Nick Ramos, an interactive experience encouraging participants to visually and symbolically connect across differences.
· Escaping Genocide, Teaching Peace, led by Dr. Clementine Msengi, author of Spared, who shared her powerful story of surviving the Rwandan genocide and her plans to establish a peace center in her homeland.
· The Fabulous, Frightening World of Generative AI, exploring how emerging technologies may be used as tools for peacebuilding, presented by Christie Parker-Wheeler and Mike Burke.
· Peace Gardens and Peace Fellowships – Peacebuilding Around the World, presented by Joe Cerami, highlighting local peace garden projects and Rotary International’s globally recognized Peace Fellowship program.
· Putting Positive Peace into Practice, led by Georgianne Hewett, Executive Director of the Brightwell Center for Justice and Peace, focusing on the Pillars of Positive Peace and how organizations can apply them to strengthen communities.
At midday, attendees gathered in the Red and Charline McCombs Campus Center ballroom for a buffet lunch and facilitated dialogue session titled Creating Environments for Peace. The shared meal and conversation provided space for reflection, connection, and collaboration across sectors and backgrounds.
Afternoon break-out sessions repeated the morning offerings, ensuring participants could engage with multiple topics and presenters before the summit concluded.
The Creating Environments of Peace Summit reinforced Rotary’s commitment to peacebuilding as both a global priority and a local responsibility. By combining scholarship, lived experience, creative expression, and practical frameworks, the event equipped attendees to return to their communities inspired, and prepared, to help peace take root where they live and serve.