Networks Building Links for Peace: from Global to Local

Networks play a vital role in building links for peace and conflict resolution, This panel showcases several types of peace networks ranging from global to local.

The Rotary Action Group for Peace provides a global platform for people to become intentional in positive and sustainable peacebuilding within themselves, their communities, and our world.

The Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, Gender Justice, and Peace endeavors to create effective processes at all levels, founded on Indigenous values, in order to safeguard positive peace for Indigenous people.

The Carter School’s Global Peace Action Network, through a global network of mentors, peers, and peacebuilders, will enable connections where relationships grow and continue, practitioners can develop projects over time, and aspiring peacebuilders can access a digital platform with toolkits, funding pathways, and training resources.

Rotary International invests in peace education that builds capacity at local, national, and regional levels. Rotary Regional Peacebuilder networks offer one approach toward creating effective ecosystems to build lasting peace.   

The Rotary Club of Bogotá Centenario, Columbia is part of an emerging network of diverse actors, including the Carter School, supporting peacebuilding efforts led by social leaders and local organizations in Colombia, particularly through economic empowerment initiatives for women heads of household affected by the armed conflict, as well as support for women-led productive and entrepreneurial projects.

Building Bridges for Peace in Cities, Baltimore pilot, has strengthened the city’s peacebuilding ecosystem by connecting local violence prevention specialists, educators, and grassroots leaders across sectors to map current efforts, identify collaboration opportunities, and engage in peer learning and professional development—both locally and internationally.

 Moderator: 

• Mari Clarke, Chair, Rotary District 7620 Peace Committee, President elect Rotary Club of Washington Global, and Affiliate Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Presentors: 

• Tijana Ristic, Chair, Rotary Action Group for Peace Board
• Binalakshmi Nepram, Rotarian and Founder of the Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, Gender Justice and Peace, Peace Chair Rotary Satellite Club for International Peace
• Jeff Helsing, Executive Director of the Better Evidence Project at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Rebecca Crall, Rotary International Focus Area Manager for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
• Manuela Cordoba, President Rotary Club Bogota Centanario, Colombia
• Arthur Romano, Rotary Peace Fellow and Founder and Director of the Program on Urban Peace Building, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Concluding Remarks: Alpasian Ozerdem, Dean of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution