As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of Rotary's mission. We see peace not as an abstract concept but as a living, dynamic expression of human development. By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, which include poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and an unequal distribution of resources. As early as 1934, we were encouraging conversations to build goodwill within and across cultures through our Institutes of International Understanding. The program brought together community leaders, prominent authors, economists, scientists, politicians, and commentators to discuss issues such as the economy, world peace, and scientific advances. Rotary was present at the inception of the United Nations in 1945 and was one of only 42 organizations invited to serve as consultants to the U.S. delegation to the UN charter conference in San Francisco, California, USA. Throughout that process, Rotary members served as delegates, advisers, and consultants: guiding agendas, drafting resolutions, and helping resolve disputes between delegates. Today Rotary holds the highest consultative status offered to a nongovernmental organization by the UN Economic and Social Council, which oversees many specialized UN agencies. We launched the Rotary Peace Centers program in 1999 to train new generations of peacebuilders, and the inaugural class of Rotary Peace Fellows began their studies in 2002. The newest Rotary Peace Center, at Makerere University in Uganda, is our first in Africa. It offers a postgraduate certificate to peace and development leaders who are from or who have worked in Africa to address challenges in the region. We approach the concept of peace with cohesion, inclusivity, and a broad scope that finds more ways for people to get involved.