Rotary's role as a peacebuilder
Some decisive years in our history
1914. Peace among the nations of the world
Rotarians from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, proposed to the Rotary Convention in 1914 that the International Association of Rotary Clubs (now Rotary International) "lend its influence to the maintenance of peace among the nations of the world." Delegates at the convention, which took place just weeks before Europe was engulfed in war, agreed
1921. We included the following in our bylaws
With the Great War fresh in their minds, delegates to the 1921 convention in Edinburgh amended the association's constitution to include the aim "to help promote international peace and goodwill through a fellowship of leaders of various trades, of various professional backgrounds and experience of voluntary organizations
1918. Focus on peace and reconstruction of Europe
From a pre-World War I resolution calling for the "maintenance of peace" to our continued support of the Rotary Peace Center, Rotary and its members. It was a bold statement for a relatively young organization that had gone international just two years earlier and had clubs in only a handful of countries.
1934. Institutes of International Understanding
Rotarians in Nashville, Tennessee organized a program to encourage and promote international understanding. There were eleven days of public meetings for the general public, with prominent authors, economists, scientists and politicians to discuss issues such as economics, world peace and scientific progress.
1945. In June, the United Nations was inaugurated.
49 out of 800 delegates who formed the U N were Rotarians
Want to read my whole story? Click here.
It's very easy to become a Peace Builder Club. Here's how to do it.
But first - What is a Rotary Action Group and how did it started?
Rotary Action Groups implemented by
Rotary International in 2005
RAGs has over 37,500 members in
more than 150 countries worldwide.
Rotary Action Groups are independent entities with their own boards and members. Each group conducts activities
in accordance with RI policy.
Rotary Action Groups provide assistance and support to Rotary clubs and districts in planning and implementing service projects.
The groups are organized by committed Rotarians, their family members, and Rotaract members who have expertise and commitment to a particular type of service.
Members pay a membership fee to the RAG [USD 20/year]
27 Rotary Action Groups are linked to the focus areas
- Peacebuilding Core Values
- Conduct online training in the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace
- Tell us about our seven focus areas
- Sponsor a peacebuilding activity
- Do something to raise public awareness of
Rotary’s peacebuilding power and activities
- Support the Rotary Peace Center
All that remains to be done is:
Form a committee of at least 2 people who are members of
Rotary Action Group for Peace
It is this simple
Join us in creating a peaceful universe. Together, we can make a positive change in every corner of the universe.
