Rotary and Peace
Addressing a Q&A session on Rotary and Peace organised by the Rotary Club of Madras, RID 3234, past RI President Kalyan Banerjee shared insight into the evolution of Rotary’s peace programme and the organisation’s enduring commitment to peace. The discussion he had with club member Sanjay Madhavan touched upon various aspects of how Rotary has been involved in furthering peace worldwide since its inception. It all began with the Rotary Club of Hamilton, Ontario, proposing a resolution in 1914 urging the International Association of Rotary Clubs to promote global peace.
Banerjee spoke with clarity on Rotary’s multifaceted approach to creating an atmosphere that fosters peace, emphasising its focus on education, health, guidance toward gainful employment, economic independence and environmental issues. He highlighted the establishment of various Peace Centers in nearly every continent and the funding provided to students pursuing courses in peacebuilding. This aligns with Rotary’s constitutional objective, adopted in 1921, of advancing international peace and goodwill through a fellowship of business and professional leaders.
Promoting peace was even more essential today with there being so much of conflict and violence raging in several parts of the world, he said.
The conversation also delved into the past president’s personal experiences in the two polio endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He recounted his meetings with the presidents of both the nations, during which he had emphasised the critical need to immunise the children of these nations. His reflections underscored the essence of Rotary’s mission to create an atmosphere that begets peace in communities at large.
Prior to this dialogue, club president G Chella Krishna addressed the origin of the International Day of Peace, celebrating its 25th anniversary and noting Rotary’s role as one of the founders of the United Nations.
Later Banerjee told Rotary News that he was very happy with the club’s initiative to invite and involve young Interactors in penning their thoughts on peace. “Some of them spoke on the importance of peace and shared their perspective. I was very impressed with their understanding of peace and interpretation of why it is so important today. They came through as very genuine, and being the future generation, it gives us hope that peace is more likely in their world, than in the world we live in today…. the present scenario of conflict is distressing indeed!”
