At Rotary, we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service and leadership.
Connecting the Dots between DEI and Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution
February is the month of ‘Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention’ in Rotary.
The key to achieving lasting and sustainable peace lies in frequently unrecognised power of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the role of conflict prevention, resolution and reconciliation. These are critically important interconnecting and powerful elements in peacekeeping and serve as the foundation by which a harmonious society can be founded. Research has show that diverse, inclusive and equitable societies are less prone to violent conflicts, and inclusive peace initiatives have a higher chance of success.
DEI are not separate elements but rather an integral part of the peacebuilding process. Diversity in peacebuilding goes beyond mere recognition of ethnicities, nationalities, genders or separate identities. It encapsulates the sum of divergent experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and cultures that form our collective society. These contrasting experiences open our eyes to a wider worldview and enhance our understanding of each other.
Equity as a Foundation for Peace building
Equity in the context of peacebuilding, calls for dismantling the systemic barriers in existence that maintain inequality and injustice. It seeks to redress any disadvantages brought forth due to remnants of historical bias and remove policies that prevent equal access to resources, opportunities and representation. These practical strategies aim to address the causes of conflict to create a just and fair society.
Power of Inclusion Credit:
The final pillar of DEI, inclusion, elaborates on the idea of acceptance and understanding, prompting the active empowerment for ALL individuals. Being inclusive is to foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued and respected, where individuals can contribute and express themselves without fear of ridicule or marginalisation. Inclusion provides a foundation for collaborative action, common agendas and understanding.
The interaction between DEI and peacebuilding present essential elements for a transformative process that leads to sustainable peace. DEI measures invite us to embrace empathy and understanding while daring us to confront our partialities. By creating safe and inclusive spaces, individuals are empowered to use their diverse perspectives to come up with innovative solutions for conflict resolution and reconciliation. These tools enable us to challenge our institutional policies, and work to build a more inclusive society are fundamental part of peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Credit: Alliance For Peacebuilding
WHY DEI MATTERS?” SERIES
World Understanding and Peace Day [23 February 2025]
Commemorated on February 23rd, World Peace and Understanding Day reminds us of the crucial role understanding and dialogue play in achieving a peaceful world.This Day honours the founding of Rotary International in 1905 and also serves as a global call to action. We celebrate it to remember the power of collaboration and to actively promote communication, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives – all crucial ingredients for building a more peaceful and harmonious world. While not an official UN initiative, the day aligns with many of the organisation’s goals for global harmony and collaboration.
Appointment of Club DEI Director/ Committee Chair
Please provide us with contact details of Club DEI Director/ Committee Chairs for ease of communication and information update with District DEI team.
