Rotary Peace Centers program seeks applicants for 2012-14 class

EVANSTON, IL., USA, – As the world observes the International Day of Commemoration to honor the victims of the Holocaust today, Rotary International - a humanitarian service organization dedicated to world peace and understanding (rotary.org) – is now accepting applications for fellowships to help the next generation of leaders develop the skills to build peace and prevent future genocide and war.

Those interested in the program can apply through local Rotary clubs or email rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org for more information. The 2012 application form is available for download from the Rotary website at http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/RotaryCentersForInternationalStudies/Pages/ridefault.aspx , and is due to The Rotary Foundation by July 1, 2011.

Rotary clubs have always embraced the call for peace at the grass-roots level by addressing the underlying causes of conflict and violence such as hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy. “Since 1905, Rotary clubs have worked locally and internationally to make the world a better and more peaceful place one person, one family, and one community at a time,” said Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, chair of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Yet, in aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Rotary began taking a more direct approach by providing future leaders with the tools they need to “wage peace” on the global stage with its innovative Rotary Peace Centers program. Launched in 2002, Rotary awards up to 100 full scholarships each year for master’s-level degrees or a professional certificate in peace and conflict studies at six Rotary Peace Centers located at:

• University of Bradford, UK
• University of Queensland, Australia
• International Christian University, Japan
• Universidad del Salvador, Argentina
• Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
• Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, (three-month certificate program)

The program is already showing results. Currently, 500 Rotary Peace Center alumni are already making a difference in key positions within United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and leading non-governmental organizations.

Margaret Soo of Malaysia, who studied at the Rotary Center at International Christian University in Japan (2002-04), is now the chief operating officer of the University Foundation Office and group vice president of the Group Corporate Affairs office at UCSI University in Malaysia. “Many people have good intentions, but they do not have the specialized training needed to make a difference,” said Soo. “I think it is important to have professional training in this field. You should be able to say ‘I’m a peacekeeper’ the way you say ‘I’m a doctor’.”

Other notable alumni include:

Kevin Melton of the United States, who earned a master’s degree at the Rotary Peace Center at the University of Queensland, 2007-09, is now working as an advisor to General David Petraeus, Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, on matters related to counter-insurgency and peace building.

Etsuko Teranishi of Japan, who earned a master's degree at the Rotary Peace Center at the University of Queensland in 2005-07, is a junior professional officer sponsored by the Foreign Ministry of Japan, working for the International Organization for Migration on human trafficking and labor migration issues in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kouame Remi Oussou of Côte d'Ivoire, who earned a master’s degree at the Rotary Peace Center at the International Christian University, 2007-2009, is now a monitoring and evaluation officer for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration with the United Nations Development Programme in the Central African Republic, where a comprehensive peace accord took effect in 2007.

Cameron Chisholm of the United States, who earned a master’s degree at the Rotary Peace Center at the University of Bradford, 2006-08, founded a peace advocacy organization, the International Peace and Security Institute (IPSI), based in Washington D.C. Last year, the IPSI hosted a month-long, mediation and peacekeeping symposium in Bologna, which will now be offered annually. In 2012, the IPSI will add another program in The Hague focusing on international and transitional justice.

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Rotary – an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide in humanitarian service - has more than 1.2 million members in more than 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographic regions. As volunteers, Rotary members have been serving the needs of communities worldwide since 1905.

Kiki Melonides
Media Relations
Rotary International
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
kiki.melonides@rotary.org
(847) 866-3134

This release was published on openPR.