April is the month when Rotarians around the world celebrate our collective commitment to peace and conflict resolution. Our emphasis on peace is not incidental—it is embedded in the very foundation of Rotary.
Each Rotary club’s constitution aligns with The Object of Rotary, which calls on us to “encourage and foster the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.” But how do we truly live this out—both in spirit and in action? And how does RAGCED play a vital role in advancing this vision?
Service Through Vocation
Rotarians are dedicated to service, but what sets us apart is how we serve—by applying our professional and vocational skills, along with our personal networks, for the benefit of others. Whether you’re active in your profession or retired, you carry years of expertise and contacts that can be powerfully leveraged to serve society. As Rotary teaches, every useful occupation is an opportunity to serve, and the ultimate aim is to help foster peace and understanding.
RAGCED’s Role in Promoting Peace Through Economic Development
Let’s focus on how economic development, one of RAGCED’s core pillars, supports peace:
Vocational Training & Agricultural Development: Originally focused on microfinance, RAGCED has evolved to prioritize vocational training and agriculture. These efforts can prevent conflict or—critically—aid in post-conflict recovery. Post-WWII reconstruction of Germany and Japan, and more recently, Rwanda’s remarkable transformation after the 1994 genocide, are powerful examples of economic development leading to peace and reconciliation.
Responding to Today’s Conflicts: With multiple active wars and smaller conflicts globally, economic empowerment will be a key component of peacebuilding. RAGCED is positioning itself to help support recovery when these conflicts subside.
Tools in RAGCED’s Toolbox
1. Vocational Training & IT Fellowship
Unemployment, especially among youth, fuels unrest. To combat this, RAGCED helped found the IT Professionals Forum Rotary Fellowship, a group committed to using IT for social good. Together, we are launching beginner and advanced IT training programs in Africa and India, creating scalable pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
2. Latin America & Women Empowerment
RAGCED’s Spanish-language chapter is supporting women coffee growers in Colombia, helping them strengthen their agricultural skills and income-generating potential—fostering economic resilience in rural communities.
3. Refugee Empowerment through Savings Groups
In collaboration with World Vision and TCP Global, RAGCED supports women refugees from South Sudan by forming village savings groups. These self-managed microfinance collectives empower women to start or grow businesses, creating stability in refugee communities along the South Sudan–Uganda border.
The Object of Rotary in Action
Economic development is not just about income—it’s about dignity, purpose, and community. By focusing on vocational training, agriculture, and small business development, RAGCED enables Rotarians to embody the Object of Rotary:
“To apply vocational skills and personal networks to advance international understanding, goodwill, and peace.”
As we continue our mission, let us remember that every act of service, every training program, and every business supported brings us one step closer to a more peaceful and just world.