Press Release

Peace experts are meeting in Oxford this month to talk about how a unique Rotary scheme is helping to promote world understanding and reduce conflict.

05/09/2008

Rotary's Oxford Peace Conference, taking place at Said Business School at University of Oxford on Saturday 13th September, is the first of its kind in the South of England and aims to promote the work Rotary does for world peace and conflict resolution through its Peace Scholarship Programme.

Each year, Rotary clubs sponsor up to 60 fellows to study at one of the seven Rotary Centres for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. Since 2002, 283 fellows from over 50 different countries have taken part.

Eminent speakers at the conference include Professor Paul Rogers of the University of Bradford's Department of Peace Studies and Alan Hollands, Committee Chairman of the Rotary's charity The Rotary Foundation, as well as Dr Scilla Elworthy of the charity Peace Direct and Professor Sir Adam Roberts from Oxford University's Department of Politics and International Relations. 

Rotary Peace Scholars including Ryan Gawn aged 29, from Northern Ireland will also be talking about the unique scheme and they're ongoing work in the field of conflict resolution. Ryan now works as External Relations Coordinator with Save the Children UK. 

Organiser Philip Bobby from Rotary Club of Oxford Isis said: "Since rotary was formed in 1905, all of what we do has been in improving conditions in which people live and in promoting peace and world understanding.

"This conference will demonstrate some of the initiatives being carried out, both in Rotary and beyond, to help promote peace and improve the world we live in.

"We would like to thank the University of Oxford for the use of the Nelson Mandela Lecture Room and for the other facilities of the Said Business School and all those who have made this important conference possible."

The Conference, costing £25, starts at 9.30am after registration at 9.00am and finishes at 4.30pm. For tickets and more, contact Philip Bobby on 01865 874372.

Professor Paul Rodgers will be discussing 'The Changing Causes of International Conflict', Dr Scilla Elworthy will share her paper on Peace Building, from the top down and the bottom up and Professor Sir Adam Roberts will speak about the work being carried out by the United Nations.