Rotary Peace Conference Notes
On January 15-16, 2016 a Rotary World Peace Conference was held in Ontario, California. The mission of the Rotary World Peace Conference 2016 - to bring together experts with solutions to major issues that are occurring in our personal lives, homes, schools, businesses and communities, not just in Southern California, but around the world. Leaders from health care, academia, government, public safety, religions, business, and communities met together to share the solutions presented by experts. The format allowed for action plans to be developed such that real and measurable actions can be undertaken when attendees return home", says Rudy Westervelt - Conference Convenor.
A special session was held on the refugee crisis (Syria and Beyond). Some of the keynote speakers included Carrie Hessler-Hadelet, Director of Peace Corps; Judge Daniel Nsereko, Judge of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon; Gillian Sorenson, United Nations Foundation; Bazzel Baz, Founder of the Association for the Recovery of Children; Claus Nobel, a senior member of the famed Swedish Nobel family; Ambassador Mary Peters who received the Rotary Peace Keeper Awardand Steve Killelea, founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) which is an international think tank dedicated to building a greater understanding of the interconnection between business, peace and economics with particular emphasis on the economic benefits of peace. The IEP ground-breaking research includes the global Peace Index, the world's leading measure of peacefulness. The line-up of speakers continued with Jason Gurvitz, founder of Green Dog films who directed the anti-trafficking short documentary film "Until they All Come Home." DFr. Gil Reyes spoke as an expert in the psychology of trauma and disasters. Father Boyle, founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, shared about gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the United States. The role of media in reporting, solving and causing conflict was discussed. Solutions that work globally were explored and much, much more. Additionally, a tribute to the First Responders of the San Bernardino Massacre was made at the Saturday evening dinner.
If you have an opportunity to attend a Rotary Peace Conference, it wil be an experience to be remembered!