Please join us Thursday forAla'a Hammouda, Rotary Peace Fellow from Palestine. She is currently at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – School of Public Health. Her bio appears below.
As a young Palestinian woman and a lifelong resident of the Gaza Strip, Alaa has lived through three wars and under siege for more than ten years. Despite these challenges, she been able to advance her aspirations and continue to have hope for a peaceful future. "I believe that through education and hard work Gaza will be a peaceful place one day."
She has a strong academic foundation. In 2000, she received a full scholarship at the American High School in Gaza, where she studied for eight years and received an American High School Diploma. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the Islamic University of Gaza. She is fluent in both spoken and written English and her native Palestinian Arabic. Professionally, she has almost seven years of work experience with non-governmental organizations in Gaza, including INTERPAl, DAIKONIA, GIZ, and Palestine Trauma Center. She also has experience in print and broadcast media agencies and in various roles in the fields of advocacy, administration, public relations, social work, translation and teaching. She worked at America-Mideast Educational and Training Services for two years, in addition to several media agencies e.g., XINHUA, Middle East Eye and Russia Today as a freelance and journalist. She worked as an Advocacy Media Officer at the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in the Gaza Strip, Palestine for four years. There, she advocated for women's rights, support for mental health, the fight to stop violence against women and children, gender equality, and human rights.
In 2018, she received the competitive and prestigious Andi Parhamovich Fellowship from the National Democratic Institute in Washington, DC. This fellowship is awarded annually to one young woman leader from 60 countries and is designed to develop the skills that will contribute to the development of democracies. The Andi Parhamovich Fellowship recognizes the commitment and courage of dedicated women advocates who are struggling today against tremendous odds to end conflict and offer alternatives to political extremes. Their daily efforts may not make headlines, but their hard work forms the basis of democratic transformations that take hold at the grassroots level.
During Alaa’s fellowship at NDI she developed a program concept called Sharki (“participate”) focused on building a network to enhance young women’s roles in Gaza as future leaders. The goal of the program is to build a network of young women in the Gaza Strip and to contribute to their development as leaders, thereby increasing women’s participation in the community and civil society in the Gaza Strip. The program will begin with a network of 40 women, ranging in age from 20 to 30 years old, from various universities, who are studying or who have graduated in concentrations such as political science or media.
Alaa hopes to be part of advancing peace, justice, and human rights around the world. She is also eager to learn more about the political rights of women and the significance and mechanisms of political and civic participation. Her passion is to learn new political approaches and methods, and to be intentional and analytical. She believes that this will give her the proper foundation and broaden her knowledge to help bring peace and justice to the world and to her country, Palestine. Sponsoring Rotary District: 7620
Topic: Ala'a Hammouda, Rotary Peace Fellow from Palestine
Time: Apr 8, 2021 07:30 AM EDT (US and Canada)
Zoom starts at 7:15 am for Social time (meet & greet), with the regular meeting starting at 7:30 am.
ROTARY PEACE CENTERS AND THE DUKE-UNC ROTARY PEACE CENTER
Scott Reynolds, a member of the Cary MacGregor Rotary Club in North Carolina, joined us on Zoom to discuss Rotary Peace Centers and the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center (one of six in the world).
Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in North Carolina, located just 10 miles apart, jointly host the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center. Rotary Peace Fellows have the opportunity to earn both a master’s degree in International Development Policy from Duke and a graduate certificate in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from UNC.
A Rotarian since 1991, Scott has served as a President for two clubs, an assistant District Governor in two districts. Chair of the Youth Exchange Committee in District 7710 and is currently the Host Area Coordinator and Board Member of the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center. Being a graduate of North Carolina State University, Scott exemplifies how these great institutions work together very effectively, as opposed to their interactions in athletics.
Scott extends an invitation to everyone to attend the Annual Peace Center Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn directly from Peace Fellows about their research. Click below to register.
Registration is now open!
For those that haven't registered yet... Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center Conference! The conference will take place on 10 April 2021 over 2 sessions: from 9:00 to 11:30 AM EDT and from 1:30 to 3:00 PM EDT. Please join us for both sessions to hear our Center’s graduating Class 18 Rotary Peace Fellows discuss their research and answer your questions. Pre-recorded presentations by the Fellows will be released in advance of the conference, beginning on 6 April, and we will share these links directly with you. As the conference approaches, we will also share our conference webpage, our online hub for the event.
Once you register with Zoom, you will get a confirmation email with your link to use to connect to the conference on 10 April, and reminders along the way. Looking forward to having you join us!
I am excited to be your guide as we set out exploring new opportunities together at the 2021 Tri-District Conference on April 30, May 1 & 2, 2021. Our path will take us into a world of leadership, learning, fellowship and fun! All from the comfort of your own home!
The schedule is FULL of incredible presentations from local and internationally known speakers on a wide variety of topics. This exciting adventure will also include the opportunity to safely join with fellow Rotarians in service to our communities! Imagine Rotary service happening in 120 communities across southern Pennsylvania and, imagine how our communities will react as we "blow up" social media with pictures and videos of Rotarians in Action on that day. The full schedule may be found here: https://www.discon2021.com/schedule/.
Join together with me in our exploration. Registration is $25 Conference Fee and $25 Foundation Gala Donation. Please invite all your club members to register now.
Once on the website, click the REGISTRATION tab. D7430 Rotarians will use the GUEST REGISTRATION. The QR code allows easy access to the conference website: www.DisCon2021.com.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone, text or email.
Note: MSR members will be reimbursed for the Conference Registration fee.
The District Assembly is for all Rotarians and Rotaractors who want to learn new ideas and best practices – especially incoming club leaders who are looking to strengthen their skill set(s). At this FREE online event, you can help celebrate our incoming club presidents, learn about steps you need to take your club into the future, explore ways to become more involved at club and/or district level, and meet members from other Rotary clubs.
Special guest Valarie K. Wafer, Rotary International Director, will be speaking on Creating an Inclusive Environment- Rotary's role in DEI- DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION!
