Press Release from RIBI

11th March 2002

WORLD PEACE TO BE ON THE AGENDA FOR ROTARY'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN GLASGOW

Around 3000 Rotarians will be in Glasgow for their annual conference to be held in the city from April 11-14, where international peace will be the main theme. The Rotarians will be listening to a variety of speakers and meeting fellow Rotarians at both business and social events at the conference. It is the largest annual gathering of members of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.

The conference activities will be underlining one of the key principles of Rotary - that of Service Above Self and that Rotarians work to improve the quality of life for others. This year in particular, the conference will be addressing World Peace and Rotary International will be launching a number of Rotary Peace Study Centres at Universities throughout the world. This also comes at a time when Rotary International will be launching at the United Nations this new peace initiative.

There will be seven Rotary Centres for International Peace Studies located at prestigious universities around the world. The first seventy scholars, 10 students at each centre will be selected to participate in two-year graduate programs related to peace and conflict resolution, beginning this year. The University of Bradford has been chosen as the British Peace Studies Centre.

Professor Paul Rogers, Head of the Department of Peace Studies at Bradford University said, "we are delighted to have been chosen from more than 100 possible universities world-wide. The accolade will establish Bradford as a world leader in peace studies and will attract potential peace makers from across the globe."

Professor Rogers will be conducting a Peace Studies negotiation at the conference.

Rotary will also be launching their new CD-ROM for schools, Coping with Citizenship. This is the third in a series of award winning CD-ROM's which help school children learn about key issues involved with growing up at school and at home.

President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland David Liddiatt said: "2001 to 2002 has been an activity packed year for Rotary, where a number of new fundraising projects have proven to be very successful. Rotary welcomes the opportunity to meet and discuss both existing and new project launches in the great city setting that Glasgow offers."

"Focusing on Peace has given us the opportunity to address a topic which is very prominent given the world situation at present. As Rotarians, we are committed to serving others, and hope that our new Peace Centres will provide students with the opportunity to help promote peace and understanding. We are delighted to have Jamie Shea, Director of Information and Press at NATO, speaking. He will be making a significant statement on world peace, and how we can work towards improving international relations."

Rotary are also pleased to have speaking Terry Waite CBE, Tim Wirth of the United Nations Foundation and Rotary International President, Richard D. King.

Ends

Notes for Editors

Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united world-wide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Their motto is: Service above Self.

For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman: 01789?765411