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Rotary highlights six ‘Champions of Peace’

EVANSTON, Ill., USA (24 Feb. 2025) — Six Rotary members and participants from around the world have been recognized as Rotary People of Action: ‘Champions of Peace’ for their contributions to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and sustainable community development.

Around the world, Rotary members engage with communities, collaborate with experts, and build partnerships to address the underlying causes of conflict. Through service projects, humanitarian aid, academic training, and youth exchanges, Rotary helps to create healthier and more peaceful societies where people can thrive.

“Peacebuilding starts with individuals who take the first step toward resolving conflict, building trust, and fostering understanding,” said Stephanie Urchick, Rotary International President. “By leading efforts in their communities, these honorees exemplify how grassroots efforts can lay the foundation for lasting peace.”

For over a century, Rotary has committed itself to addressing the needs of communities across the globe. To recognize these efforts, Rotary honors six initiatives annually through the People of Action Honors program. This year’s ‘Champions of Peace’ include:

  • Anne Kjaer Bathel (Germany) – A Rotary Peace Fellow alumna and founder of ReDI Digital Kids, Anne leads a project that provides psycho-social support and digital education to refugee children in Germany, helping them regain stability, confidence, and future opportunities. Since its inception, the program has reached over 4,000 children, fostering social inclusion and empowerment.
  • Sanela Music (Bosnia-Herzegovina) – A Rotary Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Sanela spearheads the Harmony Project: Mental Health Matters, which addresses transgenerational trauma and fosters interethnic reconciliation in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina. Her work has empowered students and educators to build emotional resilience and combat stigma around mental health.
  • Swati Herkal (India) – A Rotary leader and philanthropist, Swati pioneered a regenerative agriculture initiative that supports small farmers in India. By introducing sustainable farming techniques, her project has increased crop yields, reduced financial strain on farmers, and revitalized rural economies—helping to prevent migration and social unrest.
  • Linda Low (USA) – A Rotary Peace Fellow and founder of the Global Partners in Peace Rotary Club, Linda created Leadership Dialogues, a program designed to bridge societal divisions through structured, values-based discussions. The initiative has engaged over 2,000 people worldwide, promoting deeper understanding and conflict resolution.
  • María Cristina Cifuentes (Colombia) – A Rotary Peace Fellow and climate advocate, María played a vital role in integrating peace-focused strategies into Colombia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Climate Agreement. Her work ensures that vulnerable communities affected by armed conflict are included in national climate resilience strategies.
  • Domino Sulieman Frank (Chad) – A Rotary Peace Fellow with over 20 years of experience in peacebuilding, Domino leads the Corridors of Peace project, which provides vocational training for displaced women and girls in Chad. His initiative equips participants with marketable skills, fostering economic independence and stability in conflict-prone regions.

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over the last 100 years, US $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.

Rotary also awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for studies at its seven Peace Centers each year, which has trained more than 1800 peace fellows from over 140 countries since 2002, preparing them for leadership roles in government, NGOs, and international organizations.

About Rotary: Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.2 million people of action from more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit rotary.org.

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Contact: Claudia Brunner, +41-44-387-7116, claudia.brunner@rotary.org