Rotary: A Pathway to Peace and Healing
Good [morning fellow Rotarians, friends, and honored guests.
It’s truly a privilege to stand before you today as we reflect on a question that is central to our mission—Can we, as individuals and as Rotarians, truly contribute to building a more peaceful world? My answer, and I believe the answer of every Rotarian, is a resounding yes.
Peace may seem like a lofty and distant goal in today’s world—one often marked by conflict, injustice, and inequality.
But peace, as Rotary sees it, is not the absence of war—it is the presence of opportunity, dignity, and hope. And we pursue this peace not through words alone, but through relentless action.
Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, is more than a slogan. It’s a philosophy, a way of life, and a call to arms for people who believe in creating real change.
It drives everything we do—from digging wells to funding scholarships, from immunizing children to training peace builders.
Through Rotary, we transform compassion into action—and action into lasting peace.
Polio Eradication: A Global Victory in the Making
One of the most powerful examples of Rotary’s commitment is the Polio Eradication Campaign—a fight we began almost four decades ago when polio still paralyzed over 350,000 children each year in more than 125 countries.
Today, thanks to the tireless work of Rotarians and our global partners, cases have been reduced by over 99.9%, and the wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries.
We are truly this close to making polio the second human disease ever eradicated from the planet.
That is not just a health victory—that is a peace victory, because every child saved from paralysis is a life saved from suffering and a community spared from fear.
Health as a Foundation for Peace
Rotary’s work in health goes far beyond polio. And I speak with great pride and personal commitment when I talk about Rotary’s recent focus on cervical cancer prevention and pediatric heart surgery.
Through awareness campaigns and vaccination drives, we are protecting girls and young women from cervical cancer—a preventable disease that still claims too many lives, especially in underserved regions.
By investing in preventive care and education, we’re not only saving lives, we’re empowering women, protecting families, and strengthening entire communities.
Similarly, the work Rotary supports in pediatric heart surgeries is nothing short of miraculous. I’ve had the privilege to be closely involved in these life-saving efforts.
Children born with congenital heart defects—many from poor or remote areas—are given a new chance at life thanks to partnerships between Rotary clubs, hospitals, and generous donors.
Every beating heart is a powerful reminder that we don’t just support healthcare—we restore hope, future, and joy to families who once saw only despair.
Building Peace Through Education and Fellowship
But peace also begins in the mind—and that’s where Rotary’s investments in education and leadership come in.
Our Rotary Peace Fellowship program has trained almost 2000 who now work in conflict zones, classrooms, governments, and NGOs across the world.
These are individuals who mediate disputes, build bridges, and nurture dialogue in places where fear and division once ruled.
Education isn’t just a tool—it’s the foundation of peace. When a girl learns to read, she’s more likely to grow up healthy, earn an income, and lift her family out of poverty. When a young leader is mentored, a future change-maker is born.
A Gift to the World
Rotary doesn’t seek recognition. We serve because we believe that looking beyond ourselves is the most powerful way to change the world. We serve because we know that even the smallest act of kindness—a meal delivered, a child educated, a tree planted—can ripple outward in ways we may never see.
It’s rightly said that “Rotary is a gift to the world.” And in truth, that gift is each one of us—each Rotarian who gives their time, energy, and love to create something bigger than themselves.
Miracles don’t always come from the sky—they come from service, from hands extended in help, from voices raised in compassion. And Rotary is full of such miracles.
The Road Ahead
As we look to the future, let’s recommit ourselves to Rotary’s highest ideals. Let us not grow weary in our efforts. Let us not be discouraged by the scale of the challenges ahead. For every child vaccinated, every heart healed, every conflict eased, and every community empowered—we take one more step toward a more peaceful, equitable world.
Let’s continue to be the peace builders, the problem-solvers, the miracle-makers.
Because where there is Rotary—there is hope.
Where there is Rotary—there is healing.
And where there is Rotary—peace is never far
behind.
HINDI POEM
Thank you.
Peace may seem like a lofty and distant goal in today’s world—one often marked by conflict, injustice, and inequality. But peace, as Rotary sees it, is not the absence of war—it is the presence of opportunity, dignity, and hope. And we pursue this peace not through words alone, but through relentless action.