November 29, 2018, Published in Rotary International

When Susan Stigant was growing up in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, she was far from the unrest in Quebec, on the other side of the country. But she paid close attention to that province’s independence referendum of 1995 and to the consequences of the “no” faction’s razor-thin margin of victory, when the Canadian government quickly set in motion reforms to assuage the separatists. 

By Rotary Service and Engagement, November 14, 2018, Published in Rotary International

ShelterBox and Rotary International are Project Partners in Disaster Relief.  By working together, we are ensuring that no family is left without shelter after disaster.  Not only do Rotary and Rotaract clubs around the world support ShelterBox financially, but on many of ShelterBox’s deployments local Rotarians, Rotaractors and Response Teams work closely together at an operational level. Rotarians often have great connections with communities and authorities that can help response teams understand the situation and respond better together.

By Yesenia Uribe, November 9, 2018, Published in Rotary International

I have always been concerned about the situation in my city. Ciudad Juarez is sadly known for a high crime rate and violence related to drug trafficking which creates an atmosphere of insecurity. I wanted to learn more about how I could implement peace in my community, so I applied to participate in a workshop called A Stronger Mexico: Pillars of Positive Peace organized by the Institute for Economics and Peace. I learned that peace starts in small communities and that we cannot think about global peace if we do not work on it from the roots.

By Brooke Jones, November 13, 2018, Published in RandomActsofKindness.org

After recently celebrating my seven year anniversary at the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, I reflected back on my initial interview for the job. I remember being asked, "How do you think we can change the world?" Without even thinking about it, I responded, “We have to make kindness the norm, not the exception.” 

Published in Rotarian Action Group For Peace

The Health Session of the Rotarian Action Group For Peace-Transformational Impact Committee supports its vision by supporting Rotary and Rotaract clubs and districts as they plan and execute meaningful projects and programs centered on Health for Populations. Plan to join the committee for an important conference on Alzheimer's Disease on November 13, 2018, at Charles University - Carolinas in Prague.

Published in MediatorsBeyondBorders.org

Have you failed sometimes on important mediation work? How do you find forgiveness for yourself and let go so that you can carry on? How can you help people forgive when they are in conflict? Why is forgiving so hard? An upcoming webinar by Mediators Beyond Borders offers some of the secrets and essentials of forgiving and when not to use it. The webinar features Dr. Jim Dincalci, who is a leading psychotherapist and mediation researcher. RAGFP members and Rotarians may enjoy a special discount to attend this important webinar. 

By Erika Emerick, Published in Rotary International, October 31, 2018

Interact clubs empower young people ages 12 to 18 to take action in their community, develop leadership skills, and gain a global perspective. Every year we celebrate the accomplishments of an estimated half a million Interact club members duringWorld Interact Week. Connect with Interactors 5-11 November and share the power of Interact! Interactors around the world will be taking action and sharing how their Interact clubs are making a difference in their communities.

By Adriene Cabalinan, October 27, 2018, Published in PeaceNews.com

The conflict that the Philippines has experienced for decades has intensified religious, ethnic, and political differences. However, in the Upi municipality - where the population is 60 percent Teduray (an indigenous group), 25 percent Christian and 15 percent Muslim - each group is represented in the region's government and they resolve disputes in a local council. Mona Inog, a Muslim resident, said her family lived has lived in the region for 20 years and that her neighbors look out for each other regardless of their differences. 

Published in ParisPeaceForum.org

Peace is not just the suspension of war. It is made up of all the solutions that help minimize international tensions: cooperation to fight climate change and resource scarcity, institutions to channel power rivalries and administer global public goods, justice to assuage grievances and frustration, regulation to address inequalities and abuses of power. Plan to attend the Paris Peace Forum will be held in Paris, France, on November 11 -13, 2018.