Rotary International has named a new class of Rotary World Peace Fellows to study at the seven Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution. The centers are located on the campuses of Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan; Sciences Po, Paris, France; Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina; University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England; University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Like the members of the three classes preceding them, the 60 students in the 2005-07 class are a diverse group, representing 28 countries and a wide array of academic and professional backgrounds. Their interests and areas of expertise include public health, sustainable agriculture, international law, public policy, economic development, journalism, and social justice. For example:

Cherine Badawi, of the USA, has an undergraduate degree in cultural studies and has lead conflict resolution workshops for young people. She will attend the Rotary Center at International Christian University. Robert Opira, of Uganda, holds an undergraduate degree in project planning and has worked with World Vision, an international nonprofit organization, to plan and implement programs aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating former child soldiers. He will attend the Rotary Center at the University of Queensland. Olga Nesterova, of Kazakhstan, earned a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and a master's in business administration. Most recently employed as an information technology supervisor, she will attend the Rotary Center at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The class of 2005-07, like previous groups, is a polyglot cohort, speaking at least 37 languages, including American Sign Language, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Icelandic, Japanese, Khmer, Lao, Maori, Persian, Swahili, Ukrainian, and Zulu.

"You have only to pick up a newspaper to realize how vitally important it is that our world leaders be skilled in the arts of conflict resolution and peaceful negotiation," says Frank Devlyn, trustee chair of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. "Everything we do through our Rotary clubs, from fighting poverty to eradicating polio, is intended ultimately to promote world peace. What better way to contribute to that effort than by helping to develop future world leaders committed to achieving peace and understanding."

The program is already showing results. Members of the inaugural class of Rotary World Peace Fellows completed their studies during the past year, and many are working at jobs where they can make a difference. For instance:

Bautista Logioco, of Argentina, who earned a master's degree at the Rotary Center shared by Duke University and University of North Carolina, is now a conflict resolution program officer with the Organization of American States. Arnoldas Pranckevicius, a native Lithuanian who earned a master's degree at the Rotary Center at Sciences Po, advises the president of Lithuania on domestic policy issues. Anna Pehrsson, who received her master's degree at the Rotary Center at Universidad del Salvador, works as a project officer at the Conflict Prevention in Practice Project at Folke Bernadotte Academy in her native Sweden

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------