Are you like me, almost afraid to look at the nightly news to witness yet another escalation of war between neighbouring countries or even violence in our own backyard? The Rotary Foundation is continuing to take action to deliver on its shared joint mission with Rotary International to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace.

Article by Dennis Shore Trustee, The Rotary Foundation 2023-27

Through The Rotary Foundation, for more than 2 decades Rotary has invested heavily in our Rotary Peace Centres to develop a cohort of skilled peace workers to help nations and individuals to dial down the causes of conflict.

Arguably the “Doomsday Clock” is closer to midnight than it ever has been but our more than 1800 Peace Fellows are making a difference.

RI President Stephanie Urchick is convening a Presidential Peace Conference in Türkiye on February 20-22, 2025. The event will coincide with the first cohort of Rotary Peace Fellows studying in Rotary’s newest Peace Center, Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center, in the MENA region, located at Bahçeşehir University (BAU) in Istanbul, Türkiye.  

The 2025 Peace Conference will:

• inform and inspire participants through conversations and presentations that share knowledge, suggestions, and considerations for peacebuilding projects, programs, and initiatives 

• create dialogue and facilitate connections to further exchange ideas, consider new perspectives, and form friendships and partnerships 

• showcase the strategies, examples, and leadership of Rotary members, alumni, and participants who are addressing these issues locally and globally.

Specifically, the event will

• celebrate the launch of a new Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East and Africa region in partnership with Bahçeşehir University, based in Istanbul, Türkiye

• celebrate Rotary’s contributions to peacebuilding through its Peace Centers program and other activities within the Peace and Conflict Prevention Area of Focus,

• recognize supporters, movers, and shakers, and educate the broader Rotary community and public on opportunities to take action to advance healing in a divided world

The conference program will include plenary and breakout sessions built around four  topics;

Topic 1: Peace in a polarized world 

Topic 2: Technology, media, and peacebuilding: From conflict to connection 

Topic 3: Sustainable development: Environmental issues in peacebuilding

Topic 4: Making peace last  

This is an opportunity for Rotary members to participate in a very special event.

Further details can be accessed via the QR card in the promotional image for those who would like to consider attending this unique event.