Once again the valuable role played by Rotary throughout the World was seen in action.  This Seminar focused on the experience of the Peace Fellows sponsored by Rotary and undertaking postgraduate studies in the Rotary Centre  for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution , University of Bradford. The Fellows were drawn from all parts of the globe and had already achieved a great deal of academic and work experience in diverse fields but today's Seminar was to give us insight into their  most recent Field work experiences.

During the course of the day we heard from two Guest Speakers. Mark Segal ( UN Department for International Development ) and Chris Cushing who had many years of experience directing emergency field operations in war zones and other disaster areas. The used their personal experiences to give us some insight into both the Diplomatic and Undercover  Work of UN and Individuals in such areas.  They outlined the huge logistic tasks involved in bringing help to these situation and the extensive network of teams involved in delivering Humanitarian Aid during a Conflict and in its Aftermath.

It is impossible to encapsulate the extent of the Field Work Experiences in a short article.  The work covered many areas in war -torn  countries and disaster areas and its aftermath.  It also allowed others to explore the working of the UN and other Organizations involved  in delivering Humanitarian Aid and restoring peace.

Many of the Speakers had worked in the developing countries of Africa and Asia where the main issues were often around Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, Reconciliation Development  and Rehabilitation.

In particular I can highlight the experience of the group who worked in Somalia and Ethiopia. There the issues involved dealing with the huge numbers of refugees , not just their physical needs, but just as importantly their emotional needs. The family fragmentation, the orphans the sexual abuse, the violence and of course the rehabilitation and regeneration of their countries.

Emotive talks were given highlighting the destruction of Sierra Leone by those exploiting the countries great deposits of diamonds and subsequent Civil War. There the work of The Fellows had been directed to Reconciliation , Rehabilitation and Redevelopment. They were able to support Local Community Initiatives such as Family Talk ( a programme called FTI ) , Community Farms, Sport Activities which helped to bring both Perpetrators and Victims together in achieving lasting peace .

A similar example of destruction of a Country by greed was given by another Peace Fellow who worked in Congo. She said we all had to bear some responsibility for the destruction of this once great country because of our great demand for the products of the "Conflict Mineral"  Tantallum  used to produce Mobile Phones, Computers, Video Games, Steel Products and even MRI Scanners.

The Fellows made us increasingly aware of the importance of addressing the issues leading to Conflict and establishing Respect for Human Rights to ensure the stability and peace of a Country

Rotarian Liz Higgins

02/11/11