World Peace and Understanding Day: The Legacy of Rotary International
Rtn. Dr Sanjay Kundu
February 23, 2026
Commemorated annually on February 23rd, World Peace and Understanding Day serves as a powerful reminder that global harmony is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of empathy, dialogue, and mutual respect.
This date holds significant historical weight, as it marks the anniversary of the first-ever meeting of Rotary International in 1905. While not an official UN holiday, its mission mirrors the United Nations' goals of fostering international cooperation and sustainable peace.
The story began in Chicago, 1905, when attorney Paul P. Harris convened a meeting with three friends-Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey, and Gustavus Loehr. Their goal was simple: to create a place where professionals from diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities.
The name "Rotary" derived from the early practice of rotating meetings between the offices of the members. What started as a local networking club rapidly evolved into a service giant, expanding internationally within a decade an eventually becoming one of the most influential humanitarian organizations in the world.
Rotary International operates through a highly organized, decentralized structure that allows for both global reach and local impact: Rotary Clubs: The foundation of the organization, where members (Rotarians) meet to plan service projects.
Districts and Zones: Groups of clubs organized geographically to coordinate larger efforts.
Rotary International (RI): The global administrative body that supports clubs and sets overarching goals.
The Rotary Foundation: The charitable arm that transforms donations into grants for service projects worldwide.
Seven Areas of Focus
To maximize its impact, Rotary directs its efforts toward seven primary "Areas of Focus." These categories address the most persistent humanitarian challenges:
Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention: Training leaders to resolve disputes.
Disease Prevention and Treatment: Improving healthcare infrastructure.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Providing clean water to remote areas.
Maternal and Child Health: Reducing mortality rates for mothers and infants.
Basic Education and Literacy: Expanding access to schooling.
Community Economic Development: Creating sustainable jobs.
Environmental Protection: Supporting projects that conserve natural resources.
The most iconic achievement of Rotary International is the PolioPlus program.
Launched in 1985, this initiative aimed to immunize every child in the world against polio. At the time, the disease paralyzed 1,000 children every day.
Today, thanks to Rotary's partnership with the WHO and the Gates Foundation.
polio cases have dropped by 99.9%.
Beyond PolioPlus, the Rotary Peace Centers program is equally transformative.
Each year, Rotary selects and trains peace fellows at premier universities globally, equipping them with the skills to become mediators and policy-makers in conflict zones.
Conclusion World Peace and Understanding Day is a call to action. It teaches us that "Building Bridges" isn't just a metaphor-it is a tangible result of organized community service. By celebrating the history and structure of Rotary, we acknowledge that individual efforts, when channeled through a global network, can truly change the course of history.
( Writer is President, Rotary Clubof Agartala City )
(Tripurainfo)
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