Published in Ashland Culture of Peace Commission 

On September 21, 2018, the International Day of Peace, the World Peace Flame will be lit in the Thalden Pavilion, Sustainability Center on the Southern Oregon University (SOU) campus. A delegation from the World Peace Flame Foundation will come to Ashland for the lighting ceremony, together with our State and City dignitaries. This symbol of peace, unity, freedom and celebration aims to inspire people everywhere that the individual plays a crucial role in creating peace at every level.

April 2018, Published in Rotary International

At the Rotary Presidential Peace Conference in Atlanta last June, Bernice King gave a rousing speech about the hard work of fostering peace. She challenged her audience – both those in the auditorium and Rotarians worldwide – to think anew about how they define peace and how they interact with the people they disagree with. “Every member of our world society, even our adversaries and opponents, is worthy of being looked upon with dignity,” she said. Addressing the current political moment in the United States, King noted how troubling it is that people are increasingly divided, with Republicans refusing to engage with Democrats and Democrats refusing to engage with Republicans. She called on people everywhere to reach across political divides.

By Binish Desai, Published in Rotary International

I started my journey in Rotary as a Youth Exchange Student in 2009-10, hosted by the Rotary Club of Waukegan, Illinois, USA. I’m now a member of the Rotary Club of Bulsar, India, and Rotary helps me live out my dream, a dream I have had since age 11 – giving back to my community in service.

By McKinley Corbley, April 18, Published in GoodNewsNetwork

The leaders of North and South Korea may finally put an end to the conflict that has been affecting the two nations for the last 68 years. At the end of the Korean war in 1954, South and North Korean officials signed a truce. Though it put an end to the violence between Pyeongchang and Seoul, they never actually agreed to sign a peace treaty.

April 4, 2018

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has announced a Ugandan, Rehmah Kasule as one of the winners of the 13th edition of the Bank’s Prize for women’s contribution to development. Three African women join the prestigious group of Peace Laureates, Rehmah Kasule (Uganda), Hamsatu Nashe Alamin (Nigeria) and Togo based NGO, Groupe de réflexion et d’action, Femme, Démocratie et Développement. The Islamic Development Bank “Women’s contribution to Peace, Security and Development Prize” was awarded in Tunisia by the IsDB President, H.E. Dr. Bandar Hamza Hajjar and Prime Minister of Tunisia on 4^th April 2018.

By Lucy Renju, Published in Rotary Club of Moshi

The Rotary Club of Moshi, Tanzania erected the Moshi Rotary Peace Monument in celebration of 100 years of the Rotary Foundation. The monument is a tribute to Rotarians and the community of Moshi to stand together for a shared vision for the advancement of peace, goodwill and world understanding. To meet this important goal of pursuing peace, Rotarians have become engaged, knowledgeable and empowered themselves and others into effective agents of peace within their communities, their societies and the world.

By Rotary Service and Engagement Staff, Published in Rotary International

According to UNHCR, 65.6 million people are currently displaced by conflict, violence, or persecution. Rotary members refuse to accept conflict as a way of life and are committed to pursuing projects that address the structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

By Anne Stein, Published in Rotary International

In a nation once wracked by civil war, Liberian Rotarian Elizabeth Sele Mulbah has spent much of her life leading efforts for peace and reconciliation. A past president (2011-12) of the Rotary Club of Sinkor, Mulbah has a remarkable résumé. She began her career as a nurse, moved into teaching and administration, took on a leadership role at the Christian Health Association of Liberia, and worked at the United Nations Development Program.

Published in RotaryDistrict3011.org

District 3011 RC Delhi Mid West and RC Delhi Panchshila Park hosted a Peace Conference to hear Rotarian Dr. Ira Helfand speak on nuclear weapons in New Delhi, India. One hundred fifty Rotarians and guests assembled for a festive dinner and presentation. Dr. Helfand and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War advocate the abolition of nuclear weapons.

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By Anne Ford, Published in Rotary International

ElsaMarie D’Silva of Mumbai began her career as a flight attendant, eventually rising to become vice president of network planning for one of India’s largest airlines. Learning about the fatal 2012 gang rape of a young woman in Delhi, an unusually heinous crime that led to public outrage, led D’Silva to make a dramatic career switch. D’Silva is the founder and CEO of the Red Dot Foundation, which works with nongovernmental organizations in India, Nepal, and Kenya to address street harassment and violence against women. In addition to community workshops, the foundation empowers women to document catcalling, groping, and other incidents through an online crowdmapping platform called Safecity. D’Silva was also a Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.