Posted by Bob Ruehl on Feb 18, 2022
Create environments of peace.
Peace is fundamental to Rotary’s mission. In a time of heightened tensions and uncertainties due to COVID-19 and other factors, it is critically important that we work together to create environments where peace can thrive. Our members are addressing the underlying causes of conflict every day through service projects and peace fellowships and scholarships.

February is Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month. This month, take advantage of some of the many ways to get involved in peace through Rotary.
  • Find experts who can help make your projects more effective and sustainable by connecting with one of the Rotary Action Groups that focuses on promoting peace:
  • Recruit candidates for a Rotary Peace Fellowship. Up to 130 fellowships are offered each year for studies at one of the Rotary Peace Centers. The 2023-24 application opened on 1 February.
  • Join your district’s Rotary Friendship Exchange program to experience a new culture, make new friends, or do vocational service in another country while fostering international understanding.
  • Register for Serve to Bring Peace, the Rotary presidential conference to be held 3-4 June in Houston, Texas, USA. There, you’ll learn how Rotary’s areas of focus support the eight pillars of Positive Peace, and you’ll have the opportunity to network with the Rotary peacebuilding community.
Discover more ways to take action below.
 
Increase your impact
 
Find support from our partners
Work with Rotary’s partners to develop your peacebuilding skills and carry out projects:
 
 
 
 
Enhance your engagement
Build bridges through intercountry committees
An intercountry committee (ICC) brings together two or more districts or countries to improve intercultural understanding, establish networks across borders, and strengthen ties between members, clubs, and districts in different countries. The more than 400 intercountry committees are a key resource for expanding Rotary networks while fostering cooperation and peace.
Help promote understanding and peace by working with an ICC to:
Avenues of service
 
Get global grant advice
Not all clubs have experience with global grants. Members of the Rotary Club of East Lansing, Michigan, USA, in District 6360, felt overwhelmed by what they perceived as a complicated process. With the help of Karen Parkhurst, a member of the District 7120 (New York, USA) resource network, the East Lansing club developed its first global grant. Thinking creatively to find support helped the club launch an international service project.
 
 
Rotary news
New Rotary Fellowships
Rotary Fellowships are a fun way to make new friends, get more out of Rotary membership, and find service opportunities. With nearly 100 global fellowships, there’s something for everyone. Check out our two newest groups — the Rotary Fellowships of Camping and Entrepreneurs — and connect with a fellowship to get involved.
 
Upcoming presidential conferences
The Rotary presidential conference series highlights the humanitarian work that Rotary clubs and districts do locally and globally. Each conference will also explore how our areas of focus intersect.
 
Tell us what you think about Rotary’s programs
Rotarians and Rotaractors can participate in a variety of programs that give members even more ways to connect with others and make an impact. In March, Rotary will send a survey about our programs and other offerings to a sampling of our members. We want to hear about what you like and how you think our programs can be improved. If you receive a link to the survey, please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us.
 
From our blog
Ethical dilemma
Your club has been meeting at a restaurant for 35 years. Your meeting contract extends for another five years, and your members like the venue and say the location is convenient. You recently learned that several restaurant staff members resigned and that the management is being investigated for serious discrimination allegations. What would you do?