Rotary has a long history of seeing peacemaking and conflict resolution as central to its mission and identity. Indeed, the purpose of Rotary affirms we are to “advance peace” and mission of The Rotary Foundation is to “help Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace…”
This month’s Rotary magazine has several peace topics worth reading. Read the lead article, “Life during wartime” on Rotarians devoting themselves to help with the many issues created by the war in Ukraine. This is the first of several articles subsequently to be published about Rotary responses to this war.
Now I call your attention to your February edition of Rotary where you will read the brief, remarkable story “The Seeker” about Shai Tamari who is one or our Peace Fellows. Since 2004 Rotary has funded 1500-plus Rotary peace fellows with full scholarships in Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution, resulting in 93% of the alumni having a career path connected to peace and development. These people are catalysts for peace working in education, government, international relations and wherever the fracture zones require healing. There are Seven Centers of Peace in seven nations now educating these peace scholars. These centers offer a wide variety of curricula and experiences tailored to meet the needs of a range of situations. Scholar applicants choose the center that closely matches their skills and areas in which they choose to work.
Read his story, and then ponder the role you can have as a peacemaker by finding and nominating persons in your circles who could also apply for a peace scholarship and become a Peace Fellow. Our website gives you directions: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/promoting-peace.
For further information contact Kent Miller, kent.kcm@gmail.com.