Rotary Club - Index

Rotary Club - Deal - Index

THE REAL DEAL 5 September 2008
THE FOUNDATION MOMENT
colleen@woodsjewelers.com
September’s Foundation Moments will focus on GSE and the Peace and Conflict Programs
1. The Group Study Team Exchange Program is
Rotary‟s young adult „study abroad‟ program. Instead of
studying in a school, though, young professionals study
their vocations in a foreign setting while experiencing the
culture of the host country. Team members, must
be between 25 and 40 and non-Rotarians; they will
spend 4-6 weeks traveling in another country together.
The Team will be accompanied by a Rotarian leader.
The cost of transportation, including air fare, most meals
and accommodations will be
covered by the Rotary Foundation
and the host Rotary district. For
more information on Group Study
Exchange please contact George
Wood.
2. To understand and respond to the
devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on African countries,
District 7070 organized a special focus Group Study
Exchange Team to District 9210 which encompasses
four African nations. The 7070 team consisted of health
professionals, a teacher and the head of an AIDS action
group. During the GSE, the team learned of efforts to
educate young people and about the preventive
measures being taken by clinics and hospitals.
Conversations with doctors, care givers and the general
public convinced the Team that this epidemic which kills
thousands every day in Africa can be brought under
control but due to a lack of resources probably will
continue unabated in the near future. The GSE
experience left a profound imprint on the entire team. All
of the members have since gone on to participate in
relief efforts abroad, some returning to Africa.
3. In the spring of 2010, four lucky young people from
western Pennsylvania and one very lucky Rotarian from
District 7330 will travel to Italy for the GSE experience of
a lifetime. DGE Frank Aiello has announced that the
Group Study Team will be going back to “his roots” –
back to southern Italy. If you know of any young
professional or business person, not directly related to a
Rotarian, who would like to make this trip, please contact
Foundation Chair George Wood. Any Rotarian who
would like to lead this team can also contact George.
4. In 1969, Beatle John Lennon implored the world to
“Give Peace A Chance.” That plea was answered when
Rotary established the Rotary Centers for International
Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Each year, 60 distinguished young
people, enter the six centers located at
seven leading universities to learn about
practical solutions to bringing peace to a
war torn world. In 2007, the Rotary
Foundation in its annual report
announced “Peace is possible” as alumni
from these centers are making a growing difference as
humanitarian leaders, diplomats and government
officials. The Peace Fellowship is a two year master
level degree program that focuses on international
relations, and peace and conflict resolution. For more
information about the Centers contact Chris Couch.
5. The Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Program (not
to be confused with the Rotary Centers) was established
to provide professionals from around the world with the
opportunity to be trained in conflict resolution and
mediation strategies. Offered in English, the program is
aimed toward mid to upper level professionals in
governments, nongovernmental organizations and
private corporations. Started in 2006, this is an intensive
three month course that is housed at the Chulalongkorn
University in Bangkok, Thailand. Thirty participants are
accepted for each session. Two sessions are held
annually. Each session will include both academic
learning and practical field work. For more information
about this program please contact Chris Couch.