PIIRKONNA UUDISED – KUUKIRI – VEEBRUAR 2025

Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month

February is the month of peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

There are things we can choose, and there are things we cannot. We have chosen to make the world a better place. That is our vision because we have chosen to be Rotarians.

We cannot choose our country’s neighbors, but we can choose how we act. While visiting clubs in our district, I have not come across a single one that does not support Ukraine in one way or another. In Estonia, the Tallinn Vanalinn and Tallinn Rotary Clubs have done tremendous work. However, I do not wish to compare contributions—believe me, we can be proud of every club and every Rotarian.

I have been asked whether it is possible to apply for a Rotary Global Grant to support Ukraine. The answer is yes! Rotary helps people in disaster-affected areas. If there is someone in your club willing to dedicate time to preparing a Global Grant, the District Rotary Foundation Committee is ready to assist.

In Estonia, the Rotary Foundation Committee includes AG Urmas Kahar (Nõmme RK). The Rotary Foundation leader for Zone 17 is Urmas Kaarlep (Tallinn RK), with assistant regional Rotary Foundation coordinators (ARRFC) Anna Tumanova from Russia and Anita Häggblom from Finland.
More information about district leaders is available.

The peace-themed discussion at the District Conference became one of the most engaging sessions—presenters received the most questions. The topic of peace matters.

Rotary Peace Centers around the world offer specialized curricula to train individuals committed to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded scholarships:

• Up to 50 scholarships for master’s degree programs
• Up to 80 scholarships for diploma studies at top universities

These scholarships are designed for dedicated leaders from around the world who study at one of Rotary’s Peace Centers. Since the program began in 2002, more than 1,800 Rotary Peace Fellows have been trained and are now working in over 140 countries. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is aimed at leaders with experience in peace and development.
Learn more about Rotary Peace Fellowships.

Our mission is to improve the world, our communities, and ourselves. The last part is no less important than the world itself. Our vision is TOGETHER.

Democracy gives us rights, but we also have the Four-Way Test, which should guide us through any ethical dilemma.

I will borrow the words of Finnish hockey coach Jukka Jalonen:
“Working together, we achieve more. Everything you give to others will come back to you at some point.”

I believe in the words of the golden coach.