6 Dec Meeting
December 6, 2013
1. We had a report back on the funds that we donated to “Smile Bangladesh”, raised at last year’s auction Over 40 cleft palate surgeries have been done with those funds. Please check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OperationSmileBangladesh
2. Our Club’s Christmas Party will be on December 19th from 6 – 9:30pm. This is a potluck affair and a sign-up sheet was passed around. Whether you want to make an appetizer, salad or main dish, we need your name and dish on the sheet. Also, there was brought up that if we wish to make a $10 donation, desserts will be purchased from the businesses that provided the “Dessert Dash” goodies at the auction.
Our speaker was Devin Biviano, who is the recipient of the Rotary Peace Fellowship, which has replaced the Ambassadorial Scholarship program. The objective of the Rotary Peace Centers Program is to create peace by: Advancing research and study in Peace and Conflict Resolution, Creating and strengthening world peace leaders through advanced education and Promoting worldwide tolerance through Rotarian and fellow cooperation.
There are two options available to the students:
1. Master’s Degree: There is a choice of five centers and six Universities; Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, International Christian University, University of Bradford, University of Queensland and Uppsala University. It is a 15-24 month course and there are 12 new fellows at each center each year. There are core courses in Peace and Conflict Resolution, specialized courses and research to support fellow’s interest, Applied Field Experience (internship) and the Annual Peace Seminar.
2. Professional Development Certificate: There is one center and one University, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a 3 month course and there are up to 25 fellows in each session, totaling up to 50 per year. There is theoretical foundational knowledge taught during eight weeks in the course, practical experience during 2-3 week on site fieldwork and alumni return to their jobs with a professional development certificates in Peace and Conflict studies.
In 1999, the plan to establish the program for at least five classes was approved. In 2000, the first host area seminars were held and the Pioneer districts were recognized. The first class of Fellows were selected in 2001 and the launch of the program was held in 2002 at a United Nations event, the Peacebuilder District recognition. In 2004, the first class of fellows graduated.
In 2005, the program was approved as a permanent one. Chulalongkorn University program for the certificate was added. In 2007, the first Rotary World Peace Symposium was held. By 2009 the Certificate Program was integrated into the program, with a Master’s degree option added and the second Rotary World Peace Symposium was held.
Devin told us how we can help our District create peace, by recruiting qualified Rotary Peace Fellowship applicants, advertising the Rotary Peace Fellowship and becoming a Peacebuilding District. He then outlined who are the best candidates and where to find them. The application process is three-tiered. First, a Rotary Club would need to nominate them to the District, who then sends the applicants applications on to The Rotary Foundation. The timeline runs from January through October, so it is a big commitment. Devin told us that it actually helped him that it was so long, as it gave him time to build up his knowledge of the program and truly commit to his journey.
For a Rotary District to be designated Peacebuilder District status, they need to allocate a minimum of $50,000 over a two-year period from their District Designated Funds and must continue to donate $25,000 a year to the fund to maintain that status. They receive specialized a Peacebuilder District banner, peace pins and a certificate as well as the opportunity to “adopt” a Peace Fellow.
Devin is going to be going to the University of Queensland in Australia, leaving February of 2014. His coursework will begin in March and in the fall, will begin a 3-month Applied Field Experience in another country. He is doing research to determine where his interests lie, as he has a wide range of knowledge and experience. He will do a Thesis, Research and Preparation, and then return to Australia for the final term. He will complete his course and participate in Commencement in June, 2015. He will be writing a blog and invited us all to follow along, as he finds his way along this journey. He also gave his heartfelt thanks to the Club for our support.
