Rotary has long played a role in promoting world peace:

  • In 1921, it adopted the following as one of the objects of Rotary: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
  • At Rotary’s 1940 convention in Havana, Cuba,delegates adopted the “Respect for Human Rights Resolution,” which was a precursor to the UN’s 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • Today, the Rotarian Action Group for Peace serves as a resource to Rotarians, Rotary clubs and districts by supporting the peace work of Rotarians worldwide.
  • Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation have made incredible investments in the field of peace and conflict education through the Rotary Peace Centers.

The Rotary Peace Conference 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA is part of this effort.

Rotary's Mission: "Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that:
  • provides humanitarian service,
  • encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and 
  • helps build goodwill and peace in the world."