Rotary Centers — a direct approach to peacemaking

While all of Rotary’s humanitarian and educational programs advance the cause of international understanding by addressing the roots causes of conflict, one program takes the direct route by giving future leaders the tools they will need to “wage peace” on the world stage.

Launched in 2002, the six Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution offer two-year, master’s degree-level curricula aimed at helping the next generation of government officials, diplomats, and humanitarian leaders develop the skills needed to reduce the threat of war and violence. Up to 60 Rotary World Peace Fellows are accepted each year through a globally competitive selection process based on their professional and academic achievements.

Typically, each year’s incoming class of Rotary World Peace Fellows represents 20 to 30 nationalities and a diverse array of professions, including economics, education, journalism, public health, public administration, international relations, and law.

“This fellowship provides a structure for a group of people who will do everything in their power to create tolerance, foster international understanding, and manage conflicts to promote peace,” says Carmen Strigel, an alumna of the inaugural Rotary Centers class. A native of Germany, Strigel studied at the Rotary Center operated jointly by Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon graduation, she was hired as an education research analyst at the nonprofit Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in North Carolina. “My work at RTI is a direct continuation of my studies at the Rotary Center.”

The other Rotary Centers are located at International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan; Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina; University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England; University of California, Berkeley, Calif.; and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

“You have only to pick up a newspaper to realize how vitally important it is that our world leaders be skilled in the arts of conflict resolution and peaceful negotiation,” says former Rotary President Luis Giay, of Argentina. “Everything we do through our Rotary clubs — from fighting poverty to eradicating polio — is intended ultimately to promote world peace. What better way to contribute to that effort than by helping to develop future world leaders committed to achieving peace and understanding?”

Margaret Soo, of Malaysia, a Rotary World Peace Fellow in 2002-04, volunteers at a school for indigenous children in the Malaysian peninsula.