PRESENTATION MADE FEBRUARY 16, 2005 TO ROTARY CLUB OF RECIFE BOA VIAGEM, BRAZIL ROTARY AND PEACE ROTARY AND PEACE (OR “HOW TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY AND WORLD”) (OR “HOW TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY AND WORLD”)

Why I joined Rotary - The Rotary PolioPlus Vision: Why I joined Rotary - The Rotary PolioPlus Vision: to eradicate polio and a number of other diseases to eradicate polio and a number of other diseases

Object of Rotary: The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society; SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society; THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life; THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life; FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Rotary International Conference Calgary 1996: “peace is the most worthwhile cause and you should do something”. (RIP Herb Brown; Nobel Laureates Oscar Arias and Betty Williams.) “peace is the most worthwhile cause and you should do something”. (RIP Herb Brown; Nobel Laureates Oscar Arias and Betty Williams.) Some say I had an epiphany. I did decide to do something. Some say I had an epiphany. I did decide to do something.

Rotary’s Fourth Object: international understanding, goodwill, and peace. international understanding, goodwill, and peace. February, which is the month of the anniversary of the birth of Rotary, is also the Rotary month for international understanding, goodwill and peace. February, which is the month of the anniversary of the birth of Rotary, is also the Rotary month for international understanding, goodwill and peace.

My search: Everything you wanted to know about peace but did not know who to ask. Everything you wanted to know about peace but did not know who to ask. I wished to know peace and how I might fit in. I wished to know peace and how I might fit in.

What I found: There is an ocean of information about peace – the problem is that you can drown in it. There is an ocean of information about peace – the problem is that you can drown in it.

What I found: violence in our communities and our world is the most complex problem. violence in our communities and our world is the most complex problem. (Violence and peace at the world level, community level, family level and individual level are inter-related.) (Violence and peace at the world level, community level, family level and individual level are inter-related.)

What I found: The UNESCO motto – “Since wars (and violence) are created in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” The UNESCO motto – “Since wars (and violence) are created in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

What I found: Most Rotary Programs indirectly contribute to peacebuilding (eg. During National Immunization Days, countries stop wars; exchange programs; using the Four Way Test ; community service; humanitarian aid; Club twinning and joint projects; fellowship; etc.) Most Rotary Programs indirectly contribute to peacebuilding (eg. During National Immunization Days, countries stop wars; exchange programs; using the Four Way Test ; community service; humanitarian aid; Club twinning and joint projects; fellowship; etc.)

What I found: Major programs that directly contributes to peacebuilding - Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution (Rotary World Scholars) Major programs that directly contributes to peacebuilding - Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution (Rotary World Scholars)

What I found: Many individual Club and District programs Many individual Club and District programs Rotary International Peace Parks; Rotary International Peace Parks; Rotary Peace Cities Program; Rotary Peace Cities Program; Turn Off The Violence Programs; etc. Turn Off The Violence Programs; etc.

What I found: Two key RI publications: Two key RI publications: “The Seven Paths to Peace” “The Seven Paths to Peace” “Building Peace in the Community” “Building Peace in the Community” Available online at venpathstopeace.htm Available online at venpathstopeace.htm venpathstopeace.htm venpathstopeace.htm

What I found: Individual Rotarians who wish to do something to advance peace need more resources and support, from their Clubs, Districts, RI. Individual Rotarians who wish to do something to advance peace need more resources and support, from their Clubs, Districts, RI.

What I found: Some fear and misconceptions about entering into difficult conversations (eg. Politics and religion). Some fear and misconceptions about entering into difficult conversations (eg. Politics and religion).

Page 19 of the Rotary Manual of Procedures: "Rotary and Politics - RI and its member clubs must refrain from issuing partisan political statements. Rotaria ns are prohibited from adopting statements with a view to exerting any corporate pressure on governments or political authorities. "Rotary and Politics - RI and its member clubs must refrain from issuing partisan political statements. Rotaria ns are prohibited from adopting statements with a view to exerting any corporate pressure on governments or political authorities.

However, it is the duty of Rotarians: 1) in their clubs, to keep under review political developments in their own communities and throughout the world insofar as they affect service to their vocations and communities as well as the pursuit of the Rotary objective of world understanding and peace. They are expected to seek reliable information through balanced programs and discussions so that members can reach their own conclusions after the fair collective examination of the issues; 1) in their clubs, to keep under review political developments in their own communities and throughout the world insofar as they affect service to their vocations and communities as well as the pursuit of the Rotary objective of world understanding and peace. They are expected to seek reliable information through balanced programs and discussions so that members can reach their own conclusions after the fair collective examination of the issues;

However, it is the duty of Rotarians: 2) outside their clubs, to be active as individuals in as many legally constituted groups and organizations as possible to promote, not only in words but through exemplary dedication, the awareness of the dignity of all people and the respect of the consequent human rights of the individual. " (89-134; RCP ) 2) outside their clubs, to be active as individuals in as many legally constituted groups and organizations as possible to promote, not only in words but through exemplary dedication, the awareness of the dignity of all people and the respect of the consequent human rights of the individual. " (89-134; RCP )

Religion is not mentioned at all in the Rotary Manual of Procedures Religion is not mentioned at all in the Rotary Manual of Procedures

Quote from ‘The Seven Paths to Peace’: "Is it not one of the goals of Rotary membership to replace political passion with a desire for understanding? "Is it not one of the goals of Rotary membership to replace political passion with a desire for understanding? We cannot escape controversial issues. How we face them is one measure of the club's mettle." We cannot escape controversial issues. How we face them is one measure of the club's mettle."

Quote from ‘The Seven Paths to Peace’: "Divergence is the very pith of Rotary. In church and trade associations we explore ideas with people we agree with. The germ of Rotary is bringing different kinds of men together; the butcher, the baker, the lawyer, the doctor. Through differences, not similarities, Rotary seeks understanding. "Divergence is the very pith of Rotary. In church and trade associations we explore ideas with people we agree with. The germ of Rotary is bringing different kinds of men together; the butcher, the baker, the lawyer, the doctor. Through differences, not similarities, Rotary seeks understanding. Because in Rotary we disagree without being disagreeable, many differences are resolved. But the fundamental is not that we must agree, only that we must explore and inform our minds so that our service to society as we go out of our meeting may be informed, intelligent service." Because in Rotary we disagree without being disagreeable, many differences are resolved. But the fundamental is not that we must agree, only that we must explore and inform our minds so that our service to society as we go out of our meeting may be informed, intelligent service."

What I found: Rotary needs more resources for peace (eg. Peace library, peace expertise for consulting, peace web site information, Fellowship of Rotarians for Peace) to support Rotarians, Clubs or Districts that wish to do something to advance peace. Rotary needs more resources for peace (eg. Peace library, peace expertise for consulting, peace web site information, Fellowship of Rotarians for Peace) to support Rotarians, Clubs or Districts that wish to do something to advance peace.

What I found: most Rotarians and Rotary have good intentions to build peace, but do not know what they can do. most Rotarians and Rotary have good intentions to build peace, but do not know what they can do. (Not surprising: Government also has good intentions, but also do not know what they can do. We can not just rely on Government – we have to help.) (Not surprising: Government also has good intentions, but also do not know what they can do. We can not just rely on Government – we have to help.)

What I found: violence is a disease + we have the antidote, it is peace education = all we have to do is inoculate all the children with peace education. violence is a disease + we have the antidote, it is peace education = all we have to do is inoculate all the children with peace education. (This conclusion is based on the excellent research done by UNESCO and others. Peace education is at the heart of the violence problem.) (This conclusion is based on the excellent research done by UNESCO and others. Peace education is at the heart of the violence problem.)

What can we do? Take the initiative. Take the initiative. Make a commitment. Make a commitment. Make it a matter of importance. Make it a matter of importance. Act. Act.

What can we do? Peace Education: Peace Education: Education (for action) is the most worthwhile investment we can make for future generations. Education (for action) is the most worthwhile investment we can make for future generations. (I will talk more about my and the Canadian Peace Education experiences in more depth tomorrow.) (I will talk more about my and the Canadian Peace Education experiences in more depth tomorrow.) Available online at CANADIAN_MODEL_FOR_PEACE_ 2005.ppt Available online at CANADIAN_MODEL_FOR_PEACE_ 2005.ppt CANADIAN_MODEL_FOR_PEACE_ 2005.ppt CANADIAN_MODEL_FOR_PEACE_ 2005.ppt

What can we do? Raise our own awareness and understanding – peace begins with me. Raise our own awareness and understanding – peace begins with me. Read “The Seven Paths to Peace”. Read “The Seven Paths to Peace”. available online at available online at consider translating into Portuguese consider translating into Portuguese

What can we do? Host Annual Peace Education Conferences: Host Annual Peace Education Conferences: create “Open Spaces to Open Minds to Peace”. create “Open Spaces to Open Minds to Peace”. Network, dialogue, disseminate information, learn. Network, dialogue, disseminate information, learn.

What can we do? Work with your local Universities and Colleges to provide peace education. Work with your local Universities and Colleges to provide peace education. Establish a Peace Library Resource Center. Establish a Peace Library Resource Center. Consider a Rotary Chair in Peace Education. Consider a Rotary Chair in Peace Education.

What can we do? Course examples: understanding macropeace or the big peace picture, understanding macropeace or the big peace picture, how to teach peace/pedagogy, how to teach peace/pedagogy, servant leadership, servant leadership, peace psychology, peace psychology, relationship building, relationship building, conflict transformation, conflict transformation, open space technology, open space technology, having crucial conversations, having crucial conversations, peace education at the family level and good parenting, etc.) peace education at the family level and good parenting, etc.)

What can we do? “E-peace” - Create a Web Site “E-peace” - Create a Web Site (everything anyone would want to know about building peace in your community; who is doing what, with contact information; background reading; problem identification; potential solutions; upcoming events; communication tool such as a discussion board or listserver. See for example.). (everything anyone would want to know about building peace in your community; who is doing what, with contact information; background reading; problem identification; potential solutions; upcoming events; communication tool such as a discussion board or listserver. See for example.).

What can we do? Work with your local School Boards to create a Culture of Peace in all classrooms. Work with your local School Boards to create a Culture of Peace in all classrooms. Give teachers the tools – they want to teach peace and how to build a better world. Give teachers the tools – they want to teach peace and how to build a better world.

What can we do? Work with your Municipal Government to create a Culture of Peace in the community. Work with your Municipal Government to create a Culture of Peace in the community. Build on the assets we already have in the community. Build on the assets we already have in the community.

What can we do? The potential projects, once you get into it, are many. The potential projects, once you get into it, are many. Use your business sense to spend your energy where it will do the most good, and what excites you most. Use your business sense to spend your energy where it will do the most good, and what excites you most. Be a Peace Leader. Be a Peace Leader. Have a long term, community asset building perspective. Have a long term, community asset building perspective. Have Patience. Have Patience.

Conclusions: Rotary did its job – it ignited a passion for peace in me. Rotary did its job – it ignited a passion for peace in me.

Conclusions: Rotary’s Mission = the Fourth Object: international understanding, goodwill, and peace Rotary’s Mission = the Fourth Object: international understanding, goodwill, and peace

Conclusions: We need to help Rotary achieve its Fourth Object – its Mission. We need to help Rotary achieve its Fourth Object – its Mission.

Conclusions: Can you imagine if 1.2 million Rotarians around the world were doing something that directly builds peace? Can you imagine if we teamed up with 1.2 million members of the Lions Clubs to build peace? And members of YM/YWCAs … and Red Cross … and UNESCO … and … Can you imagine if 1.2 million Rotarians around the world were doing something that directly builds peace? Can you imagine if we teamed up with 1.2 million members of the Lions Clubs to build peace? And members of YM/YWCAs … and Red Cross … and UNESCO … and …

Conclusions: Rotary PeacePlus vision: to significantly reduce the human cost of violence (direct and indirect) in our communities and world, through peace education. Rotary PeacePlus vision: to significantly reduce the human cost of violence (direct and indirect) in our communities and world, through peace education. Following the PolioPlus model. Following the PolioPlus model. For more information, visit For more information, visit

Questions? Questions?

Thank you Thank you Bob Stewart Bob Stewart