A World Beyond War Built by Rotarians

By Al Jubitz, Founding Chair, Rotarian Action Group for Peace

Imagine a world beyond war…built by Rotarians. I have been invited to speak at more than 80 Rotary clubs, conferences and community events over the last four years to share my vision of a world beyond war by 2030. In that time I’ve concluded that Rotarians can play a leading role. I have surveyed more than 1,000 Rotarians about their attitudes toward world peace and almost 70% believe world peace is possible. Rotarians know that peace requires cooperation, mutual respect, nonviolent conflict resolution, justice, and the absence of oppression and armed conflict. I came to one conclusion: Rotarians understand what it takes.

Rotarian values and actions are aligned with peacebuilding. For almost a century, the object of Rotary has been the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace. Furthermore, as Rotarians we apply the Rotary four-way test to what we think, say or do: (1) is it the truth? (2) is it fair to all concerned? (3) will it build goodwill and better friendships? and (4) will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The alignment of Rotarian attitudes and my vision of a world beyond war by 2030 inspired me to co-found the Rotarian Action Group for Peace (RAGFP). Recognized by Rotary International in November 2012, the RAGFP is a continuously growing global network of Rotarians, their spouses, Rotary Peace Fellows, and Rotaractors who work together to prevent wars by building peace all over the world. World peace begins in our homes, workplaces, schools and communities. With more than 1,200 members from all continents, the RAGFP is the official hub which gives Rotarians a structure, orientation and an online resource center promoting and supporting member peace projects.

It comes as no surprise that peace and conflict prevention/resolution is the first of six areas of focus identified by Rotary International. In addition to promoting peace, Rotary’s focus areas are fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies. While each cause is separate, a systemic understanding of peace shows how interconnected the areas are, and how sustainable peacebuilding requires ongoing involvement in all of them. Rotary’s worldwide community involvement and the commitment of Rotarians to “service above self” are outstanding examples of the many facets of peacebuilding work. Building peace is a process, and Rotarians take action.

Rotarians can count on unique networks within and between communities. Through collaboration with Dr. Joseph Bock from the University Notre Dame, I found the right language and context to describe those networks. Dr. Bock calls the Rotarian civil society infrastructure the “crown jewel for preventing war and promoting peace.” Rotarians worldwide are connected horizontally from club to club, from clubs to faith communities, businesses and other organized groups, and vertically to mid and top level government officials, police chiefs and senior faith leaders to name a few. These horizontal and vertical connections within a community create opportunities to become involved in peacebuilding and global violence prevention.

Let’s follow Elise Boulding’s advice that there is no time left for anything but to make peacework a dimension of our every waking activity. Rotarians are organized, Rotarians are connected, and Rotarians have the know-how. I will continue to appeal to Rotarians’ moral imagination to believe in the pursuit of creative actions and step into the unknown landscape of a world beyond war.

Al Jubitz -  President Jubitz Family Foundation: A native Oregonian, Al graduated from Beaverton High School in 1962, Yale University (BS) in 1966, and the University of Oregon School of Business (MBA) in 1968. Al and his wife Nancy have been married 45 years. They have three grown daughters and four grandchildren.

Al retired from the family business (Jubitz Corporation) after a career spanning 34 years. He is Past President and remains active in the Rotary Club of Portland and currently serves on the Board of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. Al is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon, Class 20.

He also serves on the Leadership Councils of the Portland Children’s Museum, Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Environment Defense Fund in New York City. He is Director Emeritus of Morrison Child and Family Services and an emeritus trustee of Outward Bound Wilderness School.

Al is President and Founder of the Jubitz Family Foundation and has served as a director of two private start-up companies. His interests are in the areas of peace building, environmental stewardship, early childhood education, and building bridges out of poverty. He enjoys hiking, playing squash, and golf.