July 15, 2019, By Soovan Sharma Dookhoo, Published in Rotary International

Attending a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards event hosted by District 9220 in Madagascar has been one of my most cherished experiences both from a leadership and a cultural standpoint. I joined members of Rotaract Rotaract from Mauritius, marching as one, as we eagerly boarded a flight to the longest island in the Indian Ocean. From my first day in Madagascar, I was surrounded by a completely different culture. It was a joy simply going through the streets, and taking in all of the scenery and action.

July 19, 2019, by Institute for Economics and Peace, Published in VisionOfHumanity.org

Just launched: The latest Rotary Positive Peace Academy will equip thousands more Rotarians worldwide with knowledge supported by research to create peace locally and internationally.

With a focus on evidence-based drivers of peace and real world case studies, the free training course supplies Rotarians with material and conceptual strategies to forge peace at the individual and international levels. Read More

July 2, 2019, By Rotary Service and Engagement, Published in Rotary International

Rotary is built on connections. Rotary International provides a way to connect to our communities, to network professionally, and to build strong and lasting relationships. Our membership connects us to a global community through our countless projects and programs. Our service connects us to people who share our values, who want to take action for a better world; it connects us to people we would never otherwise meet, who are more like us than we could have imagined; and it connects us to people who need our help, allowing us to change lives in communities around the world. Read More

By Jessie Harman, June 11, 2019, Published in Rotary International

Rotary’s new strategic plan is underpinned by four key priorities – to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. The emergence of new club models is evidence that Rotary clubs and districts are working actively to advance these priorities. These new club models represent an opportunity to connect with a more diverse group of individuals – particularly those who are unable or unwilling to join our traditional clubs. While new club models have been emerging for some time, the 2016 Council on Legislation decision to promote flexibility and innovation has arguably accelerated their development.

By Paul Engleman, June 20, 2019, Published in Rotary International

Refugees who come to Winnipeg often end up living in areas that are predominantly inhabited by indigenous people. “Newcomers do not know much about the indigenous life and heritage and, without that knowledge, the first thing they encounter is people who are poor and stereotyped by the mainstream community,” says Abdikheir “Abdi” Ahmed, a 2011-12 Rotary Peace Fellow and immigration partnership coordinator for the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. “Indigenous people may see immigrants as encroaching into their neighborhoods. There is tension between both groups.” 

By Azka Asif, Published in Rotary International

Cal Mann is semi-retired industrial designer leading a consulting firm. He has been a Rotarian since 2004, and member of California Rotary Clubs of La Jolla, Del Mar and Oakland. He has also served as director of his club’s Youth Service Committee overseeing Interact clubs, and served on his District’s RYLA committee and supported outreach to the school community. Cal joined Peace Corps as a Community Development Volunteer in North Macedonia in September 2017. We asked him to share his experience serving as a volunteer.

By Lorraine Hayman, May 14, 2019, Published in Rotary International

This summer, I will join the 18th class of Rotary Peace Fellows at International Christian University. Here are my top ten reasons for applying to ICU: #1. Cultural Immersion. ICU is home to the only Peace Center in East Asia. As a student at ICU, I can draw on peace-building traditions from Asia, while becoming a highly responsible global citizen. I will explore a culture that contrasts my own, making connections and building friendships that transcend language and cultural barriers. In August, I will meet local Rotarians and experience language and culture training with other new fellows.

By David Sarasohn, Illustrations by Joan Wong, Published in Rotary International

The woman sitting at the end of the carefully arranged tables looks as though she would rather be someplace else — maybe at her real estate agency, maybe just with people she knows, people who see the world the way she does. But a friend asked her to come here, and she agreed, and she will carry out her role. “It’s not my notion of a family,” she says firmly, her chin set as she explains the burden of holding conservative views in a liberal town. “It’s my truth of a family. I don’t want my views to be considered hate speech. But I don’t want to celebrate things that I don’t celebrate.”