February is dedicated to Peace-building and Conflict Prevention in Rotary. As an international organization, Rotary believes that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, understanding, and opportunity. Through its global network, Rotary actively works to prevent conflicts by promoting dialogue, supporting education, and addressing root causes of violence—such as poverty. And to address poverty, in addition to peace, Rotary focuses on clean water, fighting diseases, saving mothers and children, literacy and education, growing economies, and protecting the environment.
Specifically towards peace, Rotary encourages positive interactions between people of different neighborhoods and countries. Any Rotarian can visit other clubs while they are traveling. Rotarians and friends of Rotary can have more immersive experiences in other countries through Rotary Friendship Exchanges. Rotary Youth Exchanges provide young people in our communities immersive experiences abroad. And our communities are benefited by getting to know young people from abroad who visit locally.
- For more on Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE), check out rotary.org/en/our-programs/friendship-exchange.
- For more on Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE), check out rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges.
Your local Rotary Club of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff is participating in both of these programs. We are currently involved in a Friendship Exchange with Rotarians in Sri Lanka. This summer, we plan to send up to three local students abroad for short-term exchanges - who will, in turn, host three students from abroad. We have also hosted long-term exchange students, most recently one from Norway.
Internationally, Rotary awards up to 170 fellowships a year for leaders dedicated to peace to study at one of our eight peace centers around the world. Rotary's Peace Centers train leaders to become effective mediators and change-makers in their communities.
- For more on Peace Fellowships, check out rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships.
- To give to causes such as our Peace Centers, consider giving to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) at rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation. Please let them know Club #3128 (The Rotary Club of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff) inspired you.
What can we do closer to home? Our District Governor, Marlene Frisbie, points out that next week is also Random Acts of Kindness Week. She reminds us that some acts of kindness are as simple as giving a genuine complement to someone. "Mention the good service you received, the great food you had, a great idea someone proposed – it costs you nothing, but it might just mean the world to the recipient of your kind words."