Service in Action

By Rotary Service and Engagement

According to UNHCR, 44,400 people a day are forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. 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.

Below are some examples of Rotary members taking action:

• The Rotary Club of West Naujan and Calapan in the Philippines supported the Department of Education’s program to provide assistance to Muslim children in the region. The Muslim community in Calapan City often feel marginalized due to their religion. The club put together envelopes filled with educational materials and supplies to give to students to support their Arabic language classes. Club members listened to their stories about being treated differently. The children were thankful that the club members supported their culture and wanted to learn more about them.
• The Rotaract Club of Mount Aureol in Sierra Leone wanted to address the corruption in their country that has led to poverty. The group organized “National Youth Engagement,” a conference aimed at youth focusing on three themes: Corruption, Rule of Law and Governance. The conference offered various speakers and panelists, and was well attended by students and youth groups.
• The Rotary Club of Ner Chowk partnered with Sehyog, a special children’s home in India, to organize a fitness camp with a selection of winter games for children with special needs. Two children from Sehyog went onto the Special Olympics, representing India in Austria and Korea, and won Bronze medals.

During February, Rotary Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month, build peace and mitigate conflict. Below are some resources to help you get started.

Rotary Peace Fellows (from left) Marion Akiteng, Humaira Shafi, and Brian Jon Adams on the University of Queensland campus in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Bring your project ideas to life with guidance from a Rotarian Action Group

• The Rotarian Action Group for Peace offers clubs and districts resources and support to advance world peace and turn ambitious ideas into life-changing realities.
• The Rotarian Action Group for Family Safety: Breaking the Family Violence provides support to clubs and districts in planning and implementing programs and projects that tackle domestic violence.
• The Rotarian Action Group Against Slavery provides information about, and promote ways to engage and support anti-slavery and human trafficking projects, programs and campaigns.

Find support for your initiatives from our partners

• The Institute for Economics and Peace an independent think tank and leader in the study of peace and conflict, helps Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary alumni address the root causes of conflict and create conditions that foster peace. Participate in IEP’s Rotary 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. Learn more and contact the Rotary-IEP coordinator to get involved.
• Mediators Beyond Borders International works with clubs, districts, and Rotary alumni to improve a communities’ capacity to heal from conflict, reconcile differences, and prevent the escalation of future issues to build more a more stable future. MBBI trains Rotarians and Rotaractors to be peace facilitators, engaging Rotary alumni to be synergists and project leaders, assisting clubs with community assessments and conflict prevention/resolution projects, and connecting the Rotary network with peacebuilding resources. Learn more (PDF) and contact MBBI to get involved.
• Peace Corps provides opportunities for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to work alongside U.S. volunteers training in the humanitarian development sector to empower communities and connect them to resources for a brighter future. By working on water and sanitation, economic and community development, or basic education and literacy projects, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Peace Corps Volunteers together lay the foundation for peace, stability, and prosperity. Read the Rotary-Peace Corps partnership fact sheet and inspirational stories of Rotary members that have been impacted by the partnership.

Gain more ideas by joining the conversation in a peace-related discussion group, find a project to support on Rotary Ideas, and post your club’s completed project on Rotary Showcase to inspire others.