More than 330 Rotarians and non-Rotarians attended the recent International Peace Conference promoted by eight Rotary Districts and attended by members of fifteen districts from five countries. District Governor Jim O’Grady is credited for pulling the event together after months of planning sessions with participating districts.
The event brought a variety of Rotary International leaders, including past president of Rotary International, Barry Raisin, Past Vice-President of RI, Dean Rohrs, Nobel Peace prize nominee Heidi Kuhn, and speakers from across the country to share personal views and shared stories of peace.
Several Rotary Peace Fellows presented their projects and discussed the process they had to undertake to bring solutions founded in peace to a receptive audience. The event intertwined serious discussions with artistic dance and music from around the world. Keynote speakers included Santa Rosa Symphony Maestro Francesco Leece-Chong, Past RI Director Vicki Puliz, the Rotary Peace Centers Committee vice chair, and Foundation Trustee for 2025-2029.
Other leaders included Wyn Spiller, RI Director 2025-2027; Mitty Chang, a worldwide presenter for Rotary and a Humanitarian Leader; Michael Collins with the Institute for Economics and Peace; and Wade Nomura, who offered guidance for Peace Impact Projects.
Our district led the way toward peace, and those in attendance took away the gift of peace.