Rotary Helps Foster Peace, Understanding Through Education

A decade after 9/11, humanitarian service organization continues to train new generations of peace builders

EVANSTON, Ill., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This September marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, tragic events that changed the world and add even more relevance to the United Nations' annual International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. The occasion also highlights the importance of the peace-building work carried out by humanitarian groups like Rotary International.

Rotary clubs always have embraced this call for peace at the grass-roots level by addressing the underlying causes of conflict and violence through thousands of community-based service projects around the world. "Since 1905, Rotary clubs have worked locally and internationally to make the world a better and more peaceful place one person, one family, one community at a time," said William B. Boyd, chair of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Rotary also takes a direct approach to world understanding by providing future leaders with the tools they need to "wage peace" on the global stage with its innovative Rotary Peace Centers program. Launched in 2002, Rotary awards up to 110 full scholarships each year for master's-level degrees or a professional certificate in peace and conflict studies at seven Rotary Peace Centers located at:

• Uppsala University, Sweden
• University of Bradford, UK
• University of Queensland, Australia
• International Christian University, Japan
• Universidad del Salvador, Argentina
• Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
• Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

"The world needs more peace makers skilled in the arts of conflict resolution," said Boyd. "We now have 608 Rotary Peace fellow alumni who already are making a difference in key decision-making positions in governments and organizations around the world."

Those interested in the program can apply through local Rotary clubs.  Applications for the 2013-14 class will be available for download from the Rotary website in January 2012, and are due to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July 2012.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.  There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.  

For more information, visit www.rotary.org, http://rotary.org/mediacenter

SOURCE Rotary International