Peace is a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission. By carrying out service projects in this area of focus and supporting Rotary Peace Fellowships and scholarships, you become part of Rotary’s effort to address the underlying causes of conflict, such as poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. During Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month in February, review Rotary’s brochure about our peace efforts and find ways to get involved in building more stable, peaceful communities.  Rotary was present at the inception of the United Nations in 1945 and was one of only 42 organizations invited to serve as consultants to the U.S. delegation to the UN charter conference in San Francisco, California, USA. Throughout that process, Rotary members served as delegates, advisers, and consultants: guiding agendas, drafting resolutions, and helping resolve disputes between delegates. 
Today Rotary holds the highest consultative status offered to a nongovernmental organization by the UN Economic and Social Council, which oversees many specialized UN agencies. We launched the Rotary Peace Centers program in 1999 to train new generations of peacebuilders, and the inaugural class of Rotary Peace Fellows began their studies in 2002. The newest Rotary Peace Center, at Makerere University in Uganda, is our first in Africa. It offers a postgraduate certificate to peace and development leaders who are from or who have worked in Africa to address challenges in the region. We approach the concept of peace with cohesion, inclusivity, and a broad scope that finds more ways for people to get involved.