Further to the discussion prompted by Paul Mason’s depiction of Rotarians, lumping them together with pub bores and golf-club sexists (G2, 2 May; Letters, 3 May), we would like to point out Rotary’s long tradition of working for peace.
To this end, Rotary International provides generous scholarships for students (many from the developing world) wishing to study peace, conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Rotary peace centres located at universities in Australia, Japan, the US, Sweden and the UK. The programme in the UK is located in the division of peace studies and international development at the University of Bradford and draws on its long tradition of peace research and peace activism.
To date, more than 1,000 students have graduated from the Rotary scholarship programme, with many going on to work in government, the UN, grassroots NGOs and even journalism. Rather than being part of the problem, the Rotary scholarship programme is designed not only to change the lives of those it sponsors but also to equip them with the skills to transform their own communities or fields of peace. In short, it is an example of capillary politics in action.
Professor Caroline Hughes Head, peace studies and international development, University of Bradford
Dr Behrooz Morvaridi Director, Rotary Peace Centre, University of Bradford
Professor Neil Cooper Former director, Rotary Peace Centre, University of Bradford
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