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國際 RI 與總監事務 5
step toward peace when it admitted Indian
Peace in practice pilgrims to the Kartarpur Sabib shrine, but
Pakistani Rotary members took the next
step when they welcomed Rotary members
he International Day of Peace takes from India as friends and family. That is
T place 21 September. The United Positive Peace at work.
Nations General Assembly declared this These peacebuilders did not stop there.
a day devoted to strengthening the ideals Club representatives at this year’s meeting
of peace through observing 24 hours of signed twin club certificates to recognize
nonviolence and cease-fire. their long-term commitment to continue to
It is not enough, as people of action, to learn from each other and to work together
simply avoid making war. If we are to Create on more peacebuilding efforts, and they
Hope in the World, we must aggressively have held joint meetings via video chat.
wage peace. The importance of communicating with
Where can we begin? There are countless and learning from another culture cannot
armed conflicts around the world, and the be overstated, and Rotary is making it
global population of displaced people is even easier to do so. One way of engaging
higher than ever. The opportunities are in cross-cultural dialogue and building
nearly limitless, but the cycles of violence relationships across borders is through
and hardship seem endless. virtual international exchanges that build on
My advice is to start small but think big. our current programs and make them more
I look to Rotary members in Pakistan and accessible.
India for inspiration. A virtual exchange uses online platforms
In March 2020, about 50 Rotary to connect people from different parts of
members from Pakistan met about 50 the world so they can share their traditions,
Rotary members from India at Kartarpur priorities, values, and more. Virtual
Sabib, a shrine in Pakistan. The sanctuary exchanges can serve as a window to another
honors Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, part of the world through activities such
a religion practiced in both countries. as teaching a digital cooking class, learning
Tensions between the two countries barred a new language, or even designing service
many religious pilgrims from India from projects with a global impact.
visiting the shrine. That is, until Pakistan These online chats have the potential to
opened a visa-free pathway to them in 2019. inspire new connections and more respect
Earlier this year, Rotary members from between societies. Taking that knowledge
opposite sides of the border again met at the and using it to better the lives of our fellow
shrine, this time with about twice as many human beings is the next step.
participants. Let’s see where it takes us.
Any work toward building peace needs
to be brave and bold. What these Rotary
members have done is just that. The R. GORDON R. MCINALLY
Pakistani government took an important President, Rotary International
2023. 8-9 總監月刊
