PEACE COMMUNITIES

This project was set up in 1992 in District 9700 to encourage Rotary districts through their clubs, in partnership with their local civil and civic authorities, to facilitate the declaration of their cities or towns as Peace Communities committed to peace in action at the local level.

Initially this involved the dedication of suitable sites in central park areas or locations and affixing bronze Peace Symbol plaques on monuments, edifices or buildings where Rotarians and local citizens could meet on special days, such as Rotary's World Understanding and Peace Day. On these "celebration days" awards are made to local citizens, students and schools for their contribution to peace in action within their community.

Subsequently the focus has been on re-activating partnerships with local civic authorities and other local organisations (Departments of Education, Police etc), to establish ways in which the concept of peace can be applied in practical ways in local communities. For example, the concept of peace in action could involve Rotary clubs that are committed to the Peace Communities project in preparing a compendium of individual Rotarians involvement in community groups, committees and projects and promulgating this to their civic partnerships; encouraging Rotarians engaged in community activities to declare themselves as Rotarians publicly acknowledging their commitment
to "Service above Self"; and Rotary clubs formulating ways in which future cooperative involvement in peace in action activities can be undertaken in the context of current and future partnerships.

At this stage there are 7 local Peace Communities in Australia, (Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Forbes, Lockhart, Bathurst, Cowra & Goulburn) and 44 overseas, (in New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Canada, USA, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, France, Israel, India, Mauritius, Northern Marianas, Argentina and Yugoslavia).

A challenge is out for current and future district governors to give serious consideration to launch this simple extension to their Community Service activities into clubs in their districts, to help breathe new life into hands-on Community Service activities by forming partnerships with Local Government and other community service bodies,
to help curb violence, conflict and vandalism in local communities.

The Credo of the Peace Communities Project is:
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

For further particulars contact:
Fred Lonergan
P.O. Box 100
Urinquinty 2652
Ph 02 6922 9624
Mob 0413 277 609