February is Rotary Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month. Conflict and violence displaced more than 68 million people in the past year, and half of those are children. We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Through our service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
In August, 2019, Rotary has partnered with the Institute for Economics and Peace, an independent think tank and leader in the study of peace and conflict, to help address the root causes of conflict and create conditions that foster peace. The IEP has identified 8 factors of POSITIVE PEACE and it is aligned with the good work that Rotarians are already doing around the world. Our District 5040 is among one of the Positive Peace Districts.
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To help create and sustain action and investment in Positive Peace, Rotary and the Institute have developed:
- The Rotary Positive Peace Academy: A free online learning platform that includes modules and interactive tools to teach users how to apply new peacebuilding methods and mobilize communities to address the underlying causes of conflict. Visit the academy.
- Positive Peace presentation guides: Downloadable resources to help Rotarians conduct in-person training and facilitate dialogue to help foster community-based engagement in peace.
For clubs: Facilitator guide and club presentation
For district conferences: Facilitator guide and presentation
- Positive Peace workshops: Rotary and the Institute are creating a global curriculum that Rotary clubs and districts can use to train emerging leaders in the pillars of Positive Peace.