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Service
February 2017 | Promoting world peace and global understanding
Children getting drinking water
Promoting world peace and global understanding

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and professions. With unique perspectives and expertise, members address many of the most pressing humanitarian challenges, which include creating a more peaceful world.

Through service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, members are taking action against the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, and lack of access to education. Here are just a few examples of how Rotarians are advancing world peace:

  • The Rotary Club of Marikina, Philippines, hosted a peace forum to exchange ideas on progressing toward a more peaceful world. Rotary clubs from the area attended the half-day forum, aiming to further global peace through service. 
  • In the United States, the Rotary Club of Branchburg Township, New Jersey, hosted an interfaith dinner and diversity award program. The club recognized people, businesses, and community groups that embrace peace and embody the values of civility, cooperation, and global and community awareness. The program brought together community leaders and the Rotary family to foster peace, understanding, and goodwill.
  • The Rotary Clubs of Radolfzell-Hegau, Germany, and Istanbul-Sisli, Turkey, worked together to organize an exchange for university music students in the two countries. The clubs’ aim is to further international and cross-cultural understanding. During the exchange, students not only study music, but also discuss their countries and cultures, helping bridge divides and build new friendships.

This February, Rotary Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month, take action for peace at home or worldwide. Read more stories about peace and conflict resolution to gain inspiration for club and district service projects. Post your club’s project on Rotary Showcase and join the conversation in My Rotary’s discussion groups.

TAKE ACTION
Peace Corps leaves a lasting impact

Volunteers change a Rotarian’s view of the United States

District Governor-elect Abbas Rajabi first encountered the Peace Corps in the mid-1960s, while he was in secondary school. Peace Corp volunteers from the United States came to his hometown of Hamadan, Iran, to serve as secondary school teachers. This cultural exchange helped the U.S. volunteers and the Iranian students learn more about each other’s values, customs, and worldviews. Seeing the cultural differences was enlightening for both sides. Read more about Rajabi’s experience.

Rotary International and the Peace Corps are working together to enhance club and district service, locally and globally. The Peace Corps has volunteers in more than 60 countries, focusing its work on education, health, community economic development, the environment, youth development, and agriculture. By working with active and returned Peace Corps volunteers, we can continue addressing Rotary’s six areas of focus while enhancing goodwill and international understanding, and building our ability to address the most important community concerns.

Make new friends from around the world  

Exchange opportunities promote global understanding

With 1.2 million members from 200 countries and geographical areas, Rotary is your friend wherever you go. Expand your worldview and build goodwill through a Rotary Friendship Exchange, New Generations Service Exchange, or Rotary Youth Exchange:


NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2018-19 ROTARY PEACE FELLOWSHIP
Rotary International

Apply for a master’s degree or professional development certificate fellowship and study at one of our six Rotary Peace Centers.



LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL

The Rotary Foundation turns 100 in 2016-17! Our Foundation stands at the forefront of humanitarian service, having supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, and provide basic education — as well as the historic project dedicated to eradicating polio worldwide.

Discover new cultures and exchange ideas

Trade diverse perspectives with Rotary members across the globe

International service opportunities allow members to make connections, exchange diverse perspectives, learn from one another, and make a global impact. Here are just a few ways you can engage with fellow members outside your club and district:

  • Regionally hosted project fairs offer life-changing opportunities for international visitors to learn about a host region, make new friends, and connect with clubs in need of international partners. Read how the West Africa Project Fair changed Rotaractor Shapreka Clarke’s life. 
  • Twin clubs, or sister clubs, represent a long-term relationship between two international clubs that promotes understanding, goodwill, and collaboration on service projects in their communities. Celebrate this relationship with a Twin Club Certificate of Recognition.
  • Intercountry committees, which promote peace, friendship, and strengthen relationships between two countries, offer opportunities for members to foster inter-cultural understanding. Read how the France-USA Intercountry Committee is supporting young leaders working to advance peace and cultural understanding.

Resources & reference

Rotary Ideas

Rotary Showcase

Rotary Discussion Groups

Rotary's Area of Focus guide

Rotary's Areas of Focus presentations

Communities in Action

Community Assessment Tools


Rotary Service offers resources and news to help you plan effective service projects.

Send questions and story ideas to [email protected].

TAKE ACTION