Posted by Mark Chipman, District 7070 Governor , 2020-21

Hello District 7070 Rotarians and the whole Rotary family:

When I joined Rotary back in 2006, I was surprised to find out that Rotary has a long history of promoting peace in the world.  I always remember Past District Governor Brian Thompson explaining at one of our Whitby Sunrise Club meetings that Rotary served as a consultant to the US delegation at the United Nations (UN) Conference on International Organization, often referred to as the UN Charter Conference, in San Francisco in 1945.  Today, Rotary proudly holds the highest consultative status offered to non-governmental organizations by the UN’s Economic and Social Council (UNESCO). .............

Rotary launched the Rotary Peace Centers program in 1999, and the inaugural class of Rotary Peace Fellows began their studies in 2002.  These Centers are located at universities around the world, and as Rotary states on their rotary.org website “develop leaders who become catalysts for peace in local communities and on the global stage. They study the causes of conflict and build practical skills exploring innovative solutions to real-world problems in areas such as human rights, international relations, and global health and development.”  To date, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1400 fellows who have gone on to serve as leaders and utilize their peace building skills in more than 115 countries.

This year The Rotary Foundation received over 800 applications for just 117 Rotary Peace Fellowship awards.  District 7070 was pleased to submit two candidates to the program and honoured to have Catalina Chaux-Echeverri selected as an alternate out of 800 highly qualified applicants. More info on the Rotary Peace Fellowship process can be found by clicking here.

At the District 7070 Leadership Team level, we have a Peace & Conflict Prevention/Resolution Committee chaired by Ian Lancaster, from the Campbellford Rotary Club.  Please feel free to contact Ian for more information about the work of the Committee.  In May, Ian and his team will be discussing Peacebuilding at our monthly ‘Tuesday Talks’ series.

As one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus, The Rotary Foundation also provides grants related to the promotion of peace.  Just this past week, a global grant application for approx. $72,000 US submitted by the Rotary Club of Parkdale-High Park-Humber in District 7070 along with the Rotary Club E-Club of Southern Africa in District 9400 was approved by The Rotary Foundation to establish independent mediation teams in communities within the South African region.  Congratulations on this achievement!

On February 23 we also celebrate Rotary’s 116 birthday. This day is appropriately designated as World Understanding and Peace Day as we celebrate Rotary’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and tolerance around the globe.

Wishing you peace!

 

Mark Chipman

District 7070 Governor, 2020-21

DGChip7070@gmail.com

 
 
 
 
 
 

Yours In Rotary, 

 

Mark Chipman

District 7070 Governor, 2020-21

DGChip7070@gmail.com