Nancy Morris gave a short introduction for Eduardo, who has been a guest of ours many times as we have sponsored his studies here in Winnipeg. Eduardo and his family are from Brazil. He started his studies at Duke University and was advised to come to The University of Manitoba to continue with studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, PhD student.
Eduardo started his presentation explaining why he has started this initiative to develop a library collection of peace related titles. There are now ~ 1,100 Rotary Peace Fellows that have graduated from various programs around the world. A problem has been identified, most are not working with Rotary projects. In 2015, Peter Kyle, Chairman of the Rotary Peace Centers Committee told the Peace Fellows to go back to your district/clubs and develop projects that will help promote peace in your communities.
Eduardo is working with David Newman and the Winnipeg Public Library to develop a safe place to ‘read, learn, share and talk about peace’. The plan is that if each Rotarian in each of the 7 Rotary clubs in Winnipeg donates one book (or dollar value), then ~250 books would be placed in a single, localized, central space in the Millennial Library in downtown Winnipeg. Eduardo would develop the book list to choose from so that the collection would be well rounded in its content. The books would be for children, youth and adults.
Right now, there are peace book collections at U of Manitoba (best), U of Winnipeg (good), CMU (minimal) and Winnipeg Millennial Library – 5 or 6 books on ‘peace’. These books would not just be placed on the shelves. He would work with the staff and develop;
- Peace Dialogues – relate a story about peace in their life
- Peace reading days – gather after and discuss what was in their book
Eduardo would be present to guide the discussions.
His vision is to export this concept to other Canadian cities and perhaps around the world with Rotary. Eduardo gave a presentation to a Rotary club in Kansas City, Missouri recently. They want to develop this project there. They want to name the collection after Mr. Dick Burnett, Past Rotary International Director. Dick was one of the 5 or 6 people that started the Rotary Peace Scholar Program in 2002. There have been ~ 1,100 Rotary Peace Fellows (RPF) graduate to this date.
Eduardo is working with Mr. Rick Walker, Head of Winnipeg Public Library System -Retired and David Newman. They are both members of the Winnipeg Downtown Rotary Club. The original idea of each Rotarian buying a book may change to a bulk buy through the Millennial Library. They can receive up to a 30% discount on book purchases. There will be further meetings on the best way to purchase the books.
Last year Eduardo was working in the area of Economics and Peace. This led to the ‘Global Peace Index’ presentation that he so graciously presented to our club last year. Eduardo is now the Global Peace Index Ambassador at the Institute for Economics and Peace. He is now also working with staff from the Winnipeg school divisions to bring ‘peace studies’ into the school curriculum alongside reading, writing, math, science etc.
In April or May, Eduardo should be able to provide more information about the final structure of the Winnipeg Rotary Peace Library Collection, especially how the books will be purchased.
Q/A
1. Jack Wilson asked how will the collection keep growing over time?
A.- Books do get old and new information is brought forward over time. However, in Peace and Conflict, the books don’t seem to change very often. For distribution, the focus will be the Millennial Library. The collection will be there, but books can be returned to any city library. Also, may get multiple copies of the same book. These can be circulated into other libraries. Frank Cosway (Wpg Downtown Rotary) has 3 -4 books ready to donate. Rotary Peace Fellows have written ~ 30 books themselves over the last 13 years.
2. Ed Thompson questioned if the collection could be digitized or put online?
A.- The focus will be on actual hard copy books. This will work into the reading in a safe place concept. A library is a safe and quiet space. There are only two such places, the other would be religious places.
3.- Nancy Morris asked what to do if an individual has books available now?
A.- Hold for now, list will be developed. Not all peace books will have peace in the title. Actually studied a book titled ‘Murder is no Accident’.
Eduardo has been a Peace Fellow since 2010. He has made presentations at ~140 Rotary events in the past 8 years. Rotary has six areas of focus;
Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention and treatment
Water and sanitation
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Economic and community development
Peace is not as tangible as the others. Eduardo looks upon ‘Peace’ as the umbrella over all the others.
Brian Campbell thanked Eduardo for his presentation on behalf of the Charleswood Rotary Club. Another very informative presentation. Brian didn’t have to explain the concept of ShelterBox tonight. Just be aware that a donation in Eduardo’s name will be made to ShelterBox.
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John Inglis was called forward to induct our newest Charleswood Rotary Club member, Glenn Campbell. Glenn has been a member of the Ottawa Rotary Club prior to his move to Winnipeg. He had a letter of introduction and recommendation from that club to present upon his arrival here. The ‘Certificate of Membership’ was presented to Glenn and photos taken. Glenn was then asked to say a few words about his life journey. His wife is from Winnipeg and he is from Regina. His work has taken him to Calgary and Edmonton for ~20 years working as the Director of the Optometrist Association. He then moved to Ottawa to continue as the Director of the Optometrist Association for another ~20 years. The decision was made to downsize the house they were living in and moved in the Ottawa area. Then a suggestion was made to really move, and they ended up in Winnipeg. This move made extra sense as this would see them closer to their cottage in the Minaki area. Glenn advised that during his first visit to our club, he immediately felt that it would be a perfect fit. He had been very active in the Ottawa Rotary Club, in 1999 he was Club President (as well as other positions prior to President). A warm welcome from all was expressed to Glenn.