How much do you you know about Peace? Read on to find out how to be (or become) a Peacebuilder, and why we all need to be Peacebuilders to make a better world. This is the first of a series of articles in Networker where Gabe Hau (Past D9800 Peacebuilding Committee Chair, Rotary-IEP Positive Peace Activator, IEP Ambassador) outlines some of the things Rotarians can do for Peace. Note: the acronym IEP stands for Institute for Economics and Peace.International Day of Peace
The UN General Assembly, with Resolution 36/67 at the 77th Plenary Meeting on 30 November 1981, reaffirmed that, “since war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed, that a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of Governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind”.
The United Nations proclaimed that 21 September each year be observed as International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and people. The UN General Assembly declared that the International Day of Peace shall be brought to the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace; and that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the day. This year, why not celebrate International Day of Peace with your family, friends, club and partners. Let’s remind ourselves that Peace is possible but we have to take action to make it happen.
Rotary-IEP Positive Peace Activators (Oceania)
In 2024, the first cohort of Oceania Rotary-IEP Positive Peace Activators (Activators) completed their training. Activators are here to support Rotary clubs and Rotarians with peace projects. If your club would like to know more about peace projects, invite an Activator to speak to your club. Activators are spread across Victoria so you will find one who is best suited to assist your club. Of the more than 40 Activators, about 8 are based in Victoria. Find out how you can help build Peace. More about Activators: https://www.positivepeace.academy/activators
Dr Elaine Pratley - Positive Peace Activators (Oceania)
Dr Elaine Pratley is a Peace Activator and the recipient of the 2025 Robert M Fels Peace Award, District 9800’s highest award for Peace. She is also the founder of Peace Kitchen and Peace Inc., two Australia-based initiatives that leverage food, dialogue, and education to cultivate peace and belonging. Her forthcoming book, Hungry for Peace (2026), explores food as a method of peace practice. She is a Rotary Peace Fellow, IEP Ambassador, Salzburg Global Fellow, and affiliate of Monash University’s Global Peace and Security Centre. Elaine has a passion for linking food with Peace and has attained a PhD in this area. She is also supporting youth groups to promote peace. If you would like to contact Dr Elaine about her work or to ask her to be a speaker, you can email her at: elaine.pratley@peaceinc.com.au
Please email Gabe Hau with questions or suggestions at: ghau@optus.com.au