As Rotaractors, we are often described as the engines of Rotary. We are known for our energy, our hands-on service, and our ability to mobilize at a moment’s notice. But there is one area of focus that often feels like it belongs in the lofty boardrooms of diplomats and international summits: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution.
If you’ve ever felt that peace is too abstract a goal for a local club, it’s time to shift your lens. In Rotary, peace isn’t a dream; it’s a built environment. And as the next generation of leaders, Rotaractors are the architects uniquely positioned to build it.
Why Rotaractors Must Lead the Charge
1. We are the Bridge Generation
Rotaractors sit at a unique intersection. We have the professional flexibility to work at the grassroots level but the digital literacy to connect globally. We can translate high-level peace concepts into TikTok campaigns, community workshops, and local initiatives that actually resonate with our peers.
2. Conflict is Shifting
Modern conflict isn’t just about borders; it’s about cyber-bullying, systemic inequality, and social polarization. These are digital-age conflicts that require digital-age solutions. Rotaractors understand the nuances of online discourse and the social pressures facing today’s youth better than anyone else in the Rotary family.
3. Sustainability of the Movement
The Rotary Peace Centers have trained fellows who some now work in the UN, the World Bank, and various governments. By engaging with peacebuilding now, Rotaractors become the pipeline for these fellowships. We aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the peace practitioners of today.
One example of promoting peace is Rotaract Club of San Juan East’s Beauty of Hijab. This project aims to promote peacebuilding and conflict prevention by addressing religious stereotyping and social exclusion of Muslim students through a permanent cultural exhibit and a student-led peace club. The project focuses on increasing understanding of the hijab as a symbol of faith, dignity, and identity, while also presenting Muslim culture as a living tradition that can be respectfully shared and learned.
In Rotaract, we don’t just wish for a better world; we roll up our sleeves and build it. Peace is the foundation upon which all our other work – water, education, health. Without peace, our progress is fragile. With it, our impact is eternal.
