Clintonville Rotary - Rotary Peace Club

Advocates for Peace

Clintonville Rotary was designated a Rotary PeaceBuilder Club in 2019.

Peacebuilder Clubs are a Rotarian movement creating energy and momentum for peaceful conflict resolution around the world. Rotarian Peacebuilder Clubs commit to engage in dialogues and projects that promote positive peace both in their communities and across the globe.

"Working for peace has always been a top priority for Rotary — so much so that we had a seat at the table at the 1945 UN charter conference. In fact, more than 40 Rotarians were present at the UN conference in San Francisco. But most of our work for peace doesn’t happen at conferences or in diplomatic circles. It happens through personal relationships that are developed over time and across national borders and disparate cultures."

- John Hewko, General secretary of Rotary International & The Rotary Foundation.

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.

Peace starts here ....

We encourage involvement in civic engagement - a non-isolationist participation in the community in which we live. This fosters a sense of belonging and develops a network among the members of a community. Rotary's network exists at the local levels: neighborhood, city, & state - and at the macro levels: country & world.

“People divorced from community, occupation, and association are first and foremost among the supporters of extremism.”

― Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community

Rotary, in its pursuit of peace, focuses on the "8 Pillars of Positive Peace," which are key factors that contribute to stable, peaceful societies. Here's a breakdown of the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace as outlined by Rotary and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP):

Well-functioning government:
A stable and effective government is essential for maintaining order and providing for the needs of its citizens.
Sound business environment:
A thriving economy with opportunities for growth and investment contributes to overall stability and prosperity.
Equitable distribution of resources:
Ensuring that resources are distributed fairly and accessibly helps to reduce inequality and conflict.
Acceptance of the rights of others:
Respect for human rights and the inclusion of diverse perspectives are crucial for creating peaceful and just societies.
Good relations with neighbors:
Fostering positive relationships between communities and countries helps to prevent conflict and promotes cooperation.
Free flow of information:
Open and transparent communication is vital for informed decision-making and preventing the spread of misinformation.
High levels of human capital:
Investing in education, skills, and healthcare empowers individuals and strengthens communities.
Low levels of corruption:
Combating corruption is essential for ensuring that resources are used effectively and that the rule of law is respected.

Peace research pioneer Johan Galtung distinguished two types of peace:

Negative Peace is

defined by the absence of war and violence, and does not capture a society’s tendencies towards stability and harmony.

Positive Peace is:

Defined by a more lasting peace
Built on sustainable investments in economic and societal aspects that foster peace
Can be used to gauge the resilience of a society
Ability to absorb shocks without falling into conflict

The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse