Promoting Peace is one of Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus and a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission. Rotary Melbourne has a history of involvement in Peace Initiatives including Peace Forums and sponsoring Global Peace Scholars. Sir Angus Mitchell, Australia's first ever President of Rotary International and Past President of Rotary Melbourne, led the return of Rotary into Japan and Germany following World War II.
Rotary Melbourne also has a long-standing commitment to indigenous reconciliation and engagement with our first nation friends.
As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.
By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved.
Rotary creates environments where peace can happen.
The Rotarian Action Group for Peace gives Rotary members resources and support to advance peace efforts and turn ambitious ideas into life-changing realities.
In 2019 Rotary Melbourne joined seven other Clubs around Australia and became a ‘Peacebuilder Club’. Initiated by District 5500 and the Rotarian Action Group for Peace in 2018, the program’s vision is to maximize Rotary as an agent for peace and to connect service to Peace. It was recognised that Rotarians are ‘people of action’ who want to do something-- not just talk-- about creating a safer, more secure world.
Each year, Rotary awards fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centres.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 40 for certificate studies at premier universities.
