Calgary 2025: Building Peace Across Borders
The 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary brought together Rotarians from around the globe to celebrate the vital work of Intercountry Committees (ICCs) in promoting peace, collaboration, and international friendship. Through presentations from the ICC Executive Council, the theme of “positive peace” and cross-border cooperation was powerfully reinforced, illustrating Rotary’s unique role in fostering dialogue and sustainable change.
Positive Peace: At the Heart of ICCs
Annemarie Mostert, incoming ICC Executive Chairwoman (2026–2028), emphasized Rotary’s commitment to “positive peace”—not just the absence of war, but an active, respectful partnership between countries and peoples.
Drawing lessons from experiences in South Africa, she underscored that peace must be cultivated and maintained, taking into account regional languages, cultural distinctions, and the need for long-term engagement, especially across the French- and English-speaking regions of Africa.
ICCs: Global Networks, Local Impact
Currently, thirteen ICCs are active in the United States alone, with five more in development and new committees launched at Calgary: Portugal-USA, Honduras-Guatemala-Belize, and Israel-USA, among others. These ICCs create potent links between local clubs and districts, organizing cross-cultural exchanges and collaborative projects.
One standout initiative featured at Calgary was “Youth Who Paint for Peace in Ukraine,” which connected Ukrainian children and their Hawaiian peers through art—culminating in banner exhibitions that celebrate hope and understanding. Actions such as the USA-Mexico ICC (signed in December 2024) and the new USA–Israel ICC show Rotary’s commitment to expanding its peace-building network.
Charter Signings: Global Momentum
Founding an ICC involves signing a charter, symbolizing a new commitment to partnership. Recent milestones included new ICCs between France and UAE, India and Serbia, Great Britain and Nigeria, and major collaborations among Germany, Macedonia, and Slovenia.
Peace Education and Leadership
Rotary pursues its peace-building mission not only through action, but also through education, with support from the Rotary Foundation and organizations like the Institute for Economics and Peace. Annual seminars such as RYLA focus on peace and combating radicalization, with fifteen peace fellows trained each year in six global regions.
Speakers at Calgary repeatedly stressed that sustainable peace demands universal access to water, education, health care, and economic opportunities. ICCs go beyond symbolic gestures—their collaborative projects tangibly improve living conditions in vulnerable communities, leveraging the practical skills and passion of Rotarians worldwide.
Amplifying Impact: Better Communication
One challenge discussed by the ICC Executive Council is visibility: Rotary’s ICCs must better communicate their work. The council recommended gathering more presentations, photos, charters, and videos to showcase these efforts; creating short videos and monthly newsletters; and hosting regular online meetings spanning regions like South America, the US, India, and Africa. The aim is to inform, involve, and inspire Rotarians, district governors, club leaders, and international partners.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Global Engagement
Major upcoming events for the ICC community include the Summit Fusion in Brussels (September 2025), the Peace and Friendship Summit in Athens (2026), ICC meetings in Dubai and Brussels, and the third African Peace Forum. These gatherings will help “build bridges” and reinforce Rotary’s universal mission of peace and friendship.
The Calgary Convention reaffirmed that ICCs are Rotary’s living laboratory for peace and international goodwill. Through action, dialogue, and Rotarian dedication, ICCs work every day to turn the dream of global harmony into a practical reality.
