Rotary’s theme for the month of February is PEACE. It is fitting since the March for Peace by the Monks just ended over 2300+ miles of walking over one hundred days. Rotary promotes peace through a variety of ways based on the understanding of your fellow man and woman. Rotary International also promotes peace in a monetary manner.
There are Rotary Peace Fellowships of which Rotary pays up to 170 people each year to attend one of Rotary’s eight Peace Institutions in the world. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Since the Peace Fellowship program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,800 fellows who now live and work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Rotary Peace Fellows are committed to community and international service along with the pursuit of peace. Annually, the Rotary International Foundation awards annually up to 50 fellowships for Master’s Degrees and up to 120 for certificate studies at premier universities.
One of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus, peacebuilding is an active, intentional process that involves creating environments where peace can thrive. It goes beyond simply preventing conflict and focuses on addressing the root causes of conflict, fostering understanding, and promoting sustainable peace. Rotary achieves this through various initiatives, including supporting peace education, facilitating conflict resolution and promoting community development.
On a local basis, Rotary Clubs are placing Peace Poles in Communities to make people in the community aware. Peace Poles carry the message of peace, “May Peace Prevail On Earth,” in the various languages of the world. These Peace Poles are recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument dedicated to peace on earth. Peace Poles have been planted on every continent in over 200,000 communities by Rotarians and supporters working in unison to uplift the consciousness of humankind. These Peace Poles serve as reminders to the community to cultivate peace in thought, word, and action while symbolizing and enhancing humanity’s shared desire for a world at peace and in harmony with all of creation. In essence, Rotarians promote the concept in Vince Gill’s song of “Let There Be Peace on Earth!”