Rotary Centers for International Studies
              The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International   

Peace Net

July 2009

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Dear Rotary Centers Community,
Having just returned from the Rotary World Peace Symposium in Birmingham, England,
18-19 June, I was impressed by the dynamic interaction of everyone who participated.
We are fortunate to have had a dedicated group of over 300 Rotary Center directors,
host area coordinators, Rotarians, current fellows, and alumni attend, all of whom
are interested in working together toward Rotary's mission of promoting greater
peace and understanding in the world. I would like to thank you for your energy,
 enthusiasm, and vision.

Archbishop Emeritus  Desmond Tutu with Rotary World Peace Fellows
Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee
This year, we were privileged to have Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu inspire us
with his words of hope and wisdom; leading journalists discuss the media's role
in covering peace and conflict resolution; University of Bradford Professor Paul
 Rogers address how conflict and the environment are related; and Jan Egeland, director
of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, and Dan Smith, secretary-general
of International Alert, discuss the realities of working toward peace in today's
 challenging political and economic climate. Also inspiring were our panels of alumni,
who shared their experiences working on issues ranging from refugee resettlement
 to interreligious dialogue, showing the far-reaching, global impact this program
is making.
We are looking forward to your participation in the next Rotary World Peace Symposium.
In peace,
Judy Gibson
Rotary Centers Department Manager
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
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Birmingham Peace Symposium Highlights

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu encouraged Rotary World Peace Fellows and young
 Rotarians to "go for it" in working for world peace, explaining, "You and I are
 created for goodness." Read http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/CONV09June18_earlytutu.aspx
about his speech, and watch
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/conv18june09tutu.aspx
for a video of his presentation.

Jan Egeland said accountability and speaking the truth are critical components of
building peace. Egeland was the UN secretary-general's special adviser for conflict
prevention and resolution from 2006 to 2008. Watch
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/conv09june19_janegeland.aspx
for his speech.

Jan Egeland and Rotary World Peace Fellows
Rotary Images/Alyce Henson
See videos and photos:
http://rotarnet.com.au/users/9/96452/convention09.htm

The media panel talked about how news coverage affects peace and conflict work.
"The media have a role to play in conflict resolution by bearing witness," said
Kira Kay, an independent U.S. journalist with the Bureau for International Reporting.
Read more.
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/conv09june19peace_sessions.aspx

Paul Rogers, an expert in international security, said humankind stands at a crossroads.
"The period between 1945 and 2045 will be the century where we will have to learn
to live with the ability to destroy ourselves," said Rogers. Nations tend to fall
back on military options to resolve conflict rather than looking at underlying factors,
he said. Read more:
 http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/conv09june19peace_challenges.aspx

Read
http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/c09_alumniceleb_symposium_program_en.pdf
the symposium program for complete details on the event.

Alumni Etsuko Teranishi and David Chick

Rotary Images/Alyce Henson

Take a look at more photos
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/conv09_photos.aspx
from all the symposium's events.

View
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR3_8ZBVqK0
our newest video on the Rotary World Peace Fellowship program, Building Peace.

The Rotary Foundation | 1560 Sherman Avenue | Evanston | IL | 60201

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