Facts of the Matter – Rotary Peace Centers
IN 1996, A COMMITTEE of Rotary Foundation Trustees considered opening an educational center, institute, or university dedicated to Paul Harris on the 50th anniversary of his death. The committee ultimately recommended the creation of Paul Harris Centers for International Studies at universities worldwide, where fellows would obtain graduate degrees in international relations, conflict resolutions, and peace studies.
THE TRUSTEES APPROVED the plan for the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution in 1999, and the first Rotary Peace Fellows began pursuing master’s degrees in 2002. As of 30 June 2011, over US$35 million in fellowships had been awarded to more than 590 fellows from over 90 countries.
TO PROVIDE AN ATLERNATIVE to the two-year master’s degree, a shorter certificate program began in 2006 at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, for mid- to upper level professionals who could be away from their jobs for only a few months.
EACH YEAR, UP TO 60 Rotary Peace Fellowships for master’s degree study and up to 50 for professional development certificate study offered.
FUNDING IS PROVIDED through the World Fund and District Designated Fund (DDF) allocations. Districts are encouraged but not required to contribute funds in order to nominate fellowship candidates, and DDF allocations are not connected to a specific fellow. Each Rotary club may endorse as many applicants as it considers qualifies.
DISTRICTS THAT COMMIT $25,000 every year or $50,000 every other year are designated Rotary Peace Centers Peacebuilder Districts. As of last February, 42 districts in 12 countries carried that designation.
ROTARIANS AND OTHERS who wish to support the program can contribute endowed and one-time named gifts and commitments to the Permanent Fund through the Rotary Peace Centers Major Gifts Initiative. Endowment opportunities range from $50,000 to $1.5 million. The initiative has a goal of $95 million by 2015. As of November, $62 million had been contributed or committed, providing support for 120 fellowships and for other program needs.
ROTARY PEACE CENTERS alumni work with international organizations as well as local and national governments, nongovernmental organization, and consulting firms. They live all over the world: about 30 percent in North America, 25 percent in Asia, 14 percent in Europe, 10 percent in Africa, 8 percent in Australia/Oceania, 7 percent in South America, 5 percent in the Middle East, and 2 percent in Central America/Caribbean.
- Mark Duran
the rotarian, Rotary’s Magazine
February 2012
Photo Credit:
The Face of Peace
Pablo Picasso (Malaga, Spain, b. 1881)