Peace Services

Rather than focusing solely on conflict resolution, Rotary invests in long-term peacebuilding through education, service, and partnerships.

Some of the ways Rotary cCubs can contribute to peace are:

• Organising community dialogue events.
• Supporting Peace Fellowship candidates.
• Applying for Global Grants.
• Partnering with schools and universities.
• Hosting Youth Exchange students.
• Supporting refugee and migrant communities.
• Promoting diversity and inclusion.
• Delivering conflict resolution workshops.
• Celebrating International Day of Peace.
• Developing partnerships with local organisations working in peacebuilding.

Rotary Peace Centres

The Rotary Peace Centres are a flagship initiative of The Rotary Foundation, established to develop skilled leaders who can prevent conflict, build peace, and promote sustainable development worldwide. Since the programme began in 2002, Rotary has trained more than 1,900 Peace Fellows from over 140 countries through fully funded master's degree and professional certificate programmes at leading universities around the world. There are currently 9 Peace Centres globally with more planned.

Role of the Rotary Peace Centres

The Rotary Peace Centres play several key roles:

• Educating peacebuilders by providing advanced academic training in peace and conflict resolution, international development, diplomacy, public policy, and related fields.
• Building practical skills through internships, field studies, and applied research that enable fellows to address real-world conflicts and humanitarian challenges.
• Developing global leaders who go on to work in governments, the United Nations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academia, law enforcement, humanitarian agencies, and community organisations.
• Creating an international network of peace professionals who collaborate across borders to address the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, discrimination, lack of education, and weak governance.

Each year Rotary awards fully funded fellowships to professionals committed to peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Fellows study at the Peace Centres around the world, gaining advanced academic knowledge and practical experience.

The programmes include:

• Master's Degree Fellowships
• Professional Development Certificate Programmes
• Field studies and applied learning
• Global alumni network of peacebuilders

Graduates go on to work in government, international organisations, humanitarian agencies, education, law enforcement, diplomacy, and community development.

In May 2026, the Rotary Club of Bristol and D1100 sponsored a Peace Masters Degree Fellowship application from Rachel Handley, an experienced Health Professional living in Bristol, with many years working in Yemen and fluent in Arabic.  The fellowship is fully funded by The Rotary Foundation. A final decision is expected in September 2026.

Both Clubs and individual members can nominate potential Peace Scholars. Applications for the 2027 scholarships are not yet open, but we recommend early identification of potential scholars, so that the Foundation Team can meet them and discuss options and eligibility. If you think you could have a potential candidate, please let Chris Firth know.