Applications invited for Rotary Peace Fellowship

The Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for the world-competitive Rotary Peace Fellowship. The fellowship provides academic and practical training for individuals working on solving conflicts and building peace around the world.

Professional Certificate Option 

* "Strengthening the leaders of today" 

* 3 month professional development certificate program 

* Designed specifically for candidates already working in fields related to peaecbuilding and conflict resolution to further their understanding and build their skills

* Mix of theory and skills practiced throughout 11 weeks of combined classroom and on site field study interactions 

* Eligibility Requirements: minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent; 5 years relevant work experience; proficiency in English

Master's Degree Option 

* "Building the leaders of tomorrow" 

* 15-24 months of Rotary-funded graduate study toward a master's degree at one of five Rotary Peace Centers around the world

* Training in the root causes of conflict, theories of international relations, and effective models of cooperation, conflict resolution, and negotiation including course work and applied field experience

* Eligibility Requirements: minimum bachelor's degree; 3 years relevant work experience; proficiency in a second language

The application deadline is 1 July 2013.  Application forms and more information are available at www.rotary.org/rotarycenters.

Watch the video, Is Peace Possible?

Voices For Peace from Rotary International on Vimeo.

We are looking for the Missing Piece

Weekend is often the time to relax and reflect...to get away from the speed of daily routine...to slow down a bit, sit in the sun, close your eyes, and reflect on your life.  Think about Rotary how it has changed your life...for all the new friends and families that have come into your life, and the opportunities you have received to think beyond your immediate family and do something for the people around you; in your neighbourhood, in your community, amongst your professional or business circles. And how you have become an importance cog in the Rotary's worldwide wheel of that's churning out peace through service.

Rotary is all about momentum exciting Rotarians and their families around the world to look at the world in much more meaningful way, and lending amazing power in each one of us to bring about change, positive change, around us.  Because each and everyone of us, you and I, matter the most in this vast world of 1.2 million proud Rotarians, who are committed to make our lives meaningful. 

Every day is an opportunity to touch a life somewhere, not because someone wants us to do... because we are intended to do good. 

I was watching the Rotary International's humanity in motion video on "The Missing Piece".  It was intended to look for members for the community who are oriented to do good, and can join be a part of Rotary family.  At the same time, however, it stuck me that it fits the Rotarians too.  Rotarians who have not been able to come to the Club for sometime because of any reason; Rotarians who are not being seen around anymore...the missing pieces.  We miss you in the family.   Just get back and connect, because you are the most powerful being destined to transform lives.

Missing Piece from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Hats off to Rotarians in India

A must watch video...an inspiration that the entire world's eyes are on every Rotarian in India...for having accomplished and completed two years of polio-free period on 13th January.  There is one more year to go, that requires everyone of us ensuring that no child is left when we go ahead and participate in the next NID. We have to ensure that everyone follows the routine immunisation for their children...our children

Click here to watch the video.

Rotary Fights to End Polio Now (EN) from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Rotary Moments

I reproduce here the recent speech by Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo at the International Assembly at San Diego, USA, sharing his 'Rotary Moments' : 



Good Morning, 

When President-elect Ron Burton asked me to speak on my Rotary Moment, my mind flashed back to mid 80s when I was visiting his State Oklahoma and was staying with our very good friend late PRID Roy Trout. He had arranged for me to address a luncheon meeting of a Rotary Club about 100 miles away. A Rotarian owning a single engine plane had come to take Usha and me for that meeting. It was a very cloudy day and the flight was extremely bumpy. 

Usha was scared to death. 

With the rosary in her hand she leaned over to me and whispered, "Must you go to any place where you get free lunch?" 

That was some Rotary moment !! 

Rotary journey is full of moments of joy, laughter, compassion, care, even tear…… with the ultimate of fulfillment. 

My leaders, you are on that journey and I extend my salutation to you.

One idea, that not only changed a life, or may be many lives, one advice that gave a nation-wide identity to Rotary…… this is a story that happened in 1976 in a small town, Gurdaspur, in North India.

After serving a six year term in prison, When Gurbux Singh, a life convict was released on parole for good conduct, he found his family penniless and no body wanted to accept him. After all he was branded………..a murderer, a life convict., 

Dejected and totally broken, Gurbux Singh, returned to the prison and pleaded with the kind hearted Superintendent and said, "this is the only place I can call home now. Please take me back".

The Superintendent consoled him and directed him to the local Rotary club.. Gurbux had come to the end of the road and as a last straw of hope, approached the local Rotary Club. 

Earlier during his official visit to the Rotary Club of the town which did not have much economic activity, the District Governor had suggested a project, to rehabilitate ex–convicts. That would require not much funds but deep commitment of Rotarians. As is well known, the governor gives an idea and as soon as he turns his back the club forgets it. But not this club. The club took the idea seriously, and established contact with the Prison authorities.

Thus when Gurbux approached the Rotarians, they checked his antecedents. Except this one incident of a drunken brawl when he killed a man and was given life imprisonment, Gurbux had a clean record. 

Remembering the District Governor's advice, the club decided to help him. Rotarians stood surety and got him a bank loan of 1000 dollars to buy two buffaloes. Gurbux started small business of selling milk, but no body would buy from an ex-convict. Once again Rotarians came forward and started buying milk from him.

Because Gurbux was a changed man and was supplying quality milk, his customers increased and he started paying off his loan. His business enhanced. Thanks to Rotary, Gurbux was now a respected member of the society. But that is not the end of the story.

One fine morning the District Governor received a letter and I quote, "You do not know me but your advice to the Rotary Club has changed my life". He closed his letter with the words, "Thank you, Sir, and thanks to all the kind hearted Rotarians for helping the downtrodden and dejected people like me". 

Friends, I was that fortunate Governor and receiving that letter, was my proud Rotary moment. 

I hope in your term as District Governor as you will engage Rotary you will have many opportunities to change some life….many a life, lift many a Gurbax. Let those be your memorable Rotary moments, just as I remember after 36 years of my touching Rotary moment. 

Source: International Assembly 2013, San Diego
Courtesy: www.eflashonline.org

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