Whether it was the noted Greek philosopher Plato or the more recent Spanish born American philosopher/novelist George Santayana who stated “Only the dead have seen the end of war”, conflict continues to impact our world.   

 

We are now witnessing the highest levels of human displacement on record.  According to the latest numbers available from the UN Refugee Agency an unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 25.9 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also millions of stateless people who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement. To assist clubs in deliberations on the complex subject of peace I have included a Positive Peace Guide that was created in collaboration with The Institute of Economics and Peace in this month’s Bridge.

 

The tragic shooting down of the Ukrainian aircraft in Iran and loss of life illustrated the current tensions in the world but also the connections of our Rotary family when I received a note of condolence for the Canadians lost in the incident, from my classmate District 2232 Governor, Mykola Stebljanko, from the Ukraine who I had met in San Diego in 2019. A copy of his note and my response is included in the Bridge.

 

In an exciting announcement the first Rotary Peace Centre in Africa has opened at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda in January of this year. The University will start offering a postgraduate certificate program to peace and development leaders who are from or who have worked in Africa to address the underlying challenges to peace in the region.  According to Bryn Styles, the centre will provide hands-on experience to complement coursework that addresses topics including human rights, governance, and the role of the media in conflict and will focus on refugees and migration, as well as resource and identity-based conflicts.  

 

Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary's reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. What are you doing to celebrate this Birthday?

 

February is a busy time for clubs and the district getting ready for training events, International and District Conferences.  RI dues have come out. The Foundation is encouraging clubs to meet or ideally exceed our annual giving and End Polio Now goals.  It was great news that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has extended its 2: 1 for match for polio giving. I had the privilege of meeting Dr Corey Peak a program officer from the Gates Foundation at a District 6960 Polio Presentation in January and this gave me renewed confidence that we really are on the verge of eradicating this terrible disease.

 

A new online Registration process for the RYLA Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders program, courtesy of our new organising club and the “Techies” in the Satellite Club of London has been launched.  (See the Bridge and the RYLA web page for more details). We have capacity to take 100 students and last year we only filled 70. We need your help to give more of our young people the opportunity to experience this superb leadership program.

 

President Elect Training (PETs) is on April 3 and 4^th in Sarnia.  President Elects, Vice Presidents and Club Executive Members are invited to attend. In a change introduced by DGE David there will no April Assembly but a Vibrant Club Seminar will be offered in November. (See the Web for details)

 

Arrangements for the District Conference 2020 Vision are well advanced, with all plenary and breakout speakers confirmed. Registration will “Go Live” on Monday February 17^th.

 

Last week’s Rotary International Assembly saw RIP Holger Knaack unveil the 2020-21 Theme “Rotary Opens Opportunities”. DGE David Elliott was on hand and will be telling us more at the President Elect Training (PETs) on April 3 and 4^th.

 

 

Yours in Rotary Service

 

If you have a story to tell, pictures to show off, or an event to publicize, please send it to the editor and we will publish it and/or make sure it gets on the District 6330 website.