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ROTARY DISTRICT D9700 COMMUNITY PEACE PROGRAM
The concept of Rotary District D9700 Community Peace Cities/Towns was conceived in Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, by Rotarian Tony Quinlivan and the city became the first Peace Community on 23 February 1993 with the Community Peace Monument being unveiled by PRIP Royce Abbey and local Mayor Pat Brassil. Since then, 58 Peace Communities have been proclaimed in 17 countries around the globe.
Rotary D9700 Community Peace Credo:
respect for the life and dignity of every person, without discrimination or prejudice
rejection of violence in all of its forms and towards all people
resolution of conflict among people within local and global communities
reconciliation of differences and the pursuit of harmony
freedom of expression and cultural diversity
Peace Communities are founded on the ideal of Community Service. The promotion and support of projects encouraging the rejection of violence, the resolution of conflict, and the promotion of community harmony are supported. Projects that advance tolerance, improve understanding and further peace within the home and neighborhood, are particularly important to Communities. These are the pathways to peace in the wider arena.
In proclaiming Peace Communities, cooperative partnerships are formed between Rotary and Local Government bodies. On or around 23 February, ‘Rotary Peace Day’ each year a ceremony is held, to identify and reward by public recognition, citizens providing "Community Service", delivering outstanding community benefits, through voluntary activities. Nominated local High Schools are also invited to submit details of their Community Service work during the year,and are presented with certificates acknowledging the valuable contribution that they have made to the community.
Peace transcends the simplistic view of an absence of war and encompasses all those measures that improve human relations with positive and harmonious outcomes. Violence and conflict are pervasive global phenomena that are seriously affecting the well being of communities. The rejection of violence, the respect for life and human dignity, the resolution of personal and urban violence and the reconciliation of differences can realize those freedoms under which peace and harmony can flourish.
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