Dear Rotarians,
During February, Rotarians the world over focus on Peace and Conflict Resolution.
I wanted to share with you Rotary International's message to become aware how much Rotary is doing. Here it is:
"Today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children. We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts. Rotary creates environments of peace.
As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect. By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved. Rotary creates environments where peace can happen.”
As a Rotarian whenever you contribute to the Rotary International Foundation, you help build peace in the International Community.
But what about the peace within you? Or your family?
I distinctly remember as a child sitting at the dinner table with my parents and my father talked about peace in reference to the Vietnam War. He said, “How can people expect to have a peaceful world, if they can’t even have peace within their families?” Somehow I never forgot that. It made total sense to me, as the family is the smallest building block of society.
Let’s not forget how our daily actions of communicating positively, showing kindness and understanding - to name a few - will be powerful tools to help promote peace within our families, work settings, Rotary clubs and neighborhoods.
So splurge on these ideas.
Yours in Rotary,
Angelika
