Declaration of Peace

All human beings have the right to live in a state of peace, free from violence, persecution, inequality, and suffering. As leaders
and friends of the Rotary movement, united in service, we publicly declare our commitment to creating a more peaceful world.
We value our shared environmental resources and encourage the family of Rotary to enlist our global perspective and
demonstrate that we are catalysts for peace. By conserving and protecting our planet, we support “The Green Path to Peace.”
We believe that the integration of today’s youth into the peace process is essential to a peaceful future. Each new generation
enters into a more globalized, connected, and diverse world than the one before it. Young people increasingly view themselves
as global citizens: they are more tolerant of cultural, ethnic, and religious differences, and they are passionate advocates for
the principles of justice and equality. As the world becomes smaller, the voices of young people and their calls for peace —
amplified by technology and social media — become louder and more compelling.
We recognize that a peaceful tomorrow must begin with the actions we take today. We can nurture the seeds of future peace by
encouraging young people’s creativity, energy, and idealism, and empowering them to become catalysts for change. It is up to
the leaders of today to demonstrate their commitment to peace over war, friendship over enmity, and compromise over conflict,
for young people will carry these values forward as the leaders of tomorrow. As each generation inspires and supports the next,
the seeds of peace will grow into a green path to peace, constantly moving forward.
We express our desire for a peaceful world through the action of service. By serving and helping others, we gain empathy and
understanding, build lasting bonds of friendship, and empower others to become peacemakers. Consider some of the ways that
we have enhanced peace together through Rotary:
v Around the world, nearly 14,000 Interact clubs, comprised of young people ages 12 to 18, and 9,000 Rotaract
clubs, comprised of men and women ages 18 to 30, afford their members the opportunity to develop leadership
skills, serve their communities, and advance international understanding and goodwill.
v For more than 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary Youth
Exchange. Each year, more than 8,000 students in 80 countries have the opportunity to bridge cultures and
enhance international understanding through short-term and long-term exchanges.
v Through The Rotary Foundation’s Peace Fellowships, more than 700 Rotary Peace Fellows have earned master’s
degrees or professional certificates that enable them to pursue careers in peace-building and conflict resolution.
We urge everyone who shares our vision of peace to take action:
v Identify “The Green Path to Peace” through service projects in Rotary’s six areas of focus.
v Be an activist. Use your voice and your vote to encourage your elected leaders to adopt peaceful conflict resolution
practices instead of resorting to war.
v Use social media to engage with people of different nationalities, cultures, and religions who share your
commitment to peace.
v Provide opportunities for young people to develop their leadership potential and become active stakeholders in
their communities.
v Discuss and share strategies for helping young people deal with common sources of conflict they may encounter
in their everyday lives, such as gang violence and bullying.
v Connect with others to make a difference. There are Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical
areas, working in more than 34,000 communities worldwide. Join us in advancing Peace Through Service.
Peace is not a final destination to be reached, but an active and continuous process. All of us are capable of becoming peacemakers
in our own lives, and through our words and actions, we will demonstrate that peace is possible.