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Ripples of hope and change
T his month, as we come together for the In- nongovernmental organizations, and international

ternational Assembly and the Presidential
institutions like the United Nations and World Bank.
One inspiring story is that of Ntang Julius Meleng,
Peace Conference, we celebrate The Magic
of Rotary — a unique blend of global con-
nection, vision, and action that empowers a 2024 Rotary Peace Fellow at Makerere University in
Uganda. Through his Social Change Initiative, Julius
us to create lasting change. has worked to empower young people in Cameroon
One of the most inspiring examples is our Rotary to take active roles in peacebuilding and leadership.
Peace Fellowship program, a cornerstone of Rotary’s His project provided training in conflict preven-
mission to build a more peaceful and just world. tion, civic engagement, and leadership to youths and
For more than 23 years, Rotary Peace Fellowships community officials in areas affected by conflict,
have been transforming communities. Our Rotary equipping people to drive sustainable peace efforts.
Peace Centers, hosted at leading universities around Julius harnessed Rotary’s global network to
the globe, have educated over 1,800 fellows who now overcome obstacles, including limited funding and
work in more than 140 countries. security risks, and make a meaningful impact.
These centers cultivate expertise in fields like The Rotary Peace Fellowship gave Julius the tools
conflict resolution, sustainable development, and and support to turn his vision into reality. His work
peacebuilding, preparing fellows to tackle some of embodies The Magic of Rotary — the transformative
the world’s most pressing challenges. This program power of connecting people, sharing resources, and
exemplifies how Rotary turns vision into action, cre- uniting for a common purpose.
ating a ripple effect of hope and change. As we reflect on the achievements of our peace fel-
This month during the Presidential Peace Confer- lows and celebrate Rotary’s enduring commitment to
ence, we celebrate a significant milestone with the peace, let us also recognize the role that everyone in
PHOTOGRAPH: LUCY HEWETT building challenges in the Middle East and North STEPHANIE A. URCHICK
our network of 1.2 million members plays in creating
opening of our newest peace center in Istanbul. This
center will focus on training leaders to address peace-
magic through service.
Together, we can amplify our impact, inspire new
Africa, further extending Rotary’s impact.
generations of leaders, and build a brighter, more
Peace fellows are dedicated champions of trans-
peaceful future.
formation, addressing critical issues such as refugee
resettlement, youth and women’s empowerment, and
reconciliation in conflict zones. Many founded vital
4 organizations or hold leadership roles in governments, President, Rotary International
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