Rotary Peace Milestones

Paul Harris (* 1868 – † 1947), a Chicago attorney, founded the first Rotary Club, setting off over a hundred years of service for the world.

An endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world” was set up by Rotary International (RI) President Arch C. Klumph and was named “The Rotary Foundation” in 1928, with a mission to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. Since its establishment, it has made numerous Rotarian projects possible, benefiting countless number of people.

Rotary Clubs from 21 nations organised a conference in London that focused on education, science and culture in preparation for the post-war period. This conference was vital to the founding of UNESCO.

Rotary, as an observer organisation, helped finalise the Charter of the United Nations in San Francisco.

The United Nations Universal Declaration for Human Rights was finalised based on the framework and guidelines from the 1940 Rotary International Convention in Havana.

Rotary promised to eradicate Polio as part of their peacebuilding efforts, saving the lives of over two billion children. Since 1988, Polio cases are down over 99%.

The first Rotary Peace City was established in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, advancing a culture of peace in local communities.

Rotary Peace Centres, supported by Rotary International, was set up in various parts of the world in collaboration with universities.

The first batch of Rotary Peace Fellows emerged in 2004, after completing postgraduate programmes of study with a core curriculum in international relations, peace and conflict resolution.

A three-month peace studies certificate programme was launched for middle- to upper-level professionals to be trained in international relations and become leaders in peace and conflict resolution.

Rotary International recognised the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) in their support of Rotarian peacebuilding efforts.

The Rotary Foundation celebrated the 100 years of charitable service.

More than 1,000 Peace Fellow Alumni worked in over 100 countries.

The Rotary Action Group for Peace Hong Kong & Macao Chapter is launched.