Dear fellow Rotarians,
This week, we will not be having a meeting on Wednesday, so that the members who wish to do so may watch the Inauguration.
When thinking about the events of recent weeks, I began to ponder the notion of peace. How we can find peace in the depths of political unrest, and how we can maintain it while outside forces push so hard at times to destroy it? I found myself joyfully reading up on recent peace initiatives by Rotary International.
Recently, Rotary International announced the establishment of a peace center at Makerere University (Uganda), and the inaugural 2021 class will focus on shaping peace and development in Africa. From human rights violations to the impacts of climate change, Rotary and Makerere University are 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.
The year-long program in Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation and Development will emphasize issues and solutions that are of particular relevance throughout the African continent and beyond. Hands-on experience will complement coursework that addresses topics including human rights, governance, and the role of the media in conflict. Other studies will focus on refugees and migration, as well as resource and identity-based conflicts. Established in 1922 as a technical school, Makerere University (shown in the image below) is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Africa. It is composed of nine colleges offering programs for 35,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates. Its Department of Religion and Peace Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will host the Rotary Peace Centers program.
Every year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded scholarships for dedicated peace and development leaders from around the world to study at any of its seven peace centers programs. In just over 15 years, Rotary Peace Centers have trained over 1,300 individuals for careers in peacebuilding in more than 115 countries, and program alumni serve as leaders in both governmental and nongovernmental agencies, international organizations, and more. To learn more about Rotary Peace Centers programs and fellowships, visit
www.rotary.org/peace-fellowships.
During times of chaos within our own borders, we can take comfort in the tireless work of peacemakers across our country and around the world. As noted, Rotary alone has trained well over one thousand people for careers in peacemaking. And there are other organizations doing the same. Knowing they are in the world brings us all a sense of internal peace in these uncertain times.
I hope you have a week filled with peace and joy!
Yours in service,
Stefanie
Stefanie Joy Muscat
President, Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club
