Building Peace Every Day: My Journey with IEP and Rotary

This post is part 16 of 23 in the newsletter of October 2026

By Habiba Bennani – Peace Ambassador

Becoming an IEP Peace Ambassador in 2026 is not merely a title—it is a methodology, a commitment, and a compass for action. As a dedicated Rotarian in District 9010 (Tunisia) since 2022, I am honored to share my experience with the strategic partnership between Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), where grassroots service and citizen diplomacy converge.

Understanding Positive Peace: A Shift in Perspective

For the general public, peace is often understood simply as the absence of war or direct violence—what peacebuilding experts refer to as “Negative Peace.” However, through the certification program offered by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)—a world-leading think tank in peace research and risk analysis—I explored the far broader and more dynamic concept of “Positive Peace.”Positive Peace refers to the attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain peaceful, resilient societies. It is built upon eight foundational pillars:

Well-Functioning Government
Sound Business Environment
Equitable Distribution of Resources
Acceptance of the Rights of Others
Good Relations with Neighbors
Free Flow of Information
High Levels of Human Capital
Low Levels of Corruption

Building Peace Every Day: My Journey with IEP and Rotary - Screenshot 1

A Personal Evolution: From Curiosity in Cairo to the Stage in Cape Town

My engagement with Rotary’s peace initiatives has been an evolving personal journey. Out of simple curiosity, I attended the 1st Rotary Peace Forum in Cairo in 2022. That experience was an eye-opener—it exposed me to the immense potential of international peacebuilding within our network.

Driven by this momentum, my role evolved significantly: by 2024, at the 2nd Rotary Peace Forum in Cape Town, I had the honor of taking the stage as a speaker. Sharing insights with fellow Rotarians and peacebuilders on an international platform marked a major step in my commitment, paving the way toward my formal Peace Ambassador certification in July 2026.

A Scientific and Human Alliance: IEP and Rotary

For several years, Rotary International and IEP have maintained a strategic global partnership to equip our service projects with rigorous, evidence-based tools. By combining IEP’s data-driven analytical rigor with the global reach of the Rotary network, we adopt a structured, measurable approach to community impact.To learn more about this framework, a free introductory course is available through the Rotary Positive Peace Academy.Regarding the IEP Peace Ambassador Program, two cohorts are organized each year (in April and October), offering participants the opportunity to design and implement tailored action projects inspired by the needs of their local communities. Earning my certification deepened my understanding of global metrics such as the Global Peace Index (GPI) and reinforced the importance of placing socioeconomic resilience at the heart of our community initiatives.

Intercountry Committees (ICC): The Engine of Citizen Diplomacy

To foster Positive Peace and bring the pillar of Good Relations with Neighbors to life, Rotary possesses a unique catalyst: Intercountry Committees (ICC). Created in the aftermath of global conflicts to reconcile nations, ICCs represent a genuine network-to-network platform for citizen diplomacy. By establishing direct bridges between Rotary districts across borders, they enable us to:

Transcend political and cultural boundaries through enduring, constructive dialogue
Launch targeted cross-border initiatives in key areas such as education, youth empowerment, healthcare, and water and sanitation
Foster mutual understanding and cultural respect, which are essential prerequisites for long-term stability.

ICCs prove that Positive Peace is not merely a theoretical framework—it is put into practice every day through sustainable partnerships and cross-border friendships.

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From Concept to Action: Our Field Responsibility

Since 2022, my active involvement in Rotary has reinforced my conviction that the true strength of our organization lies in targeted, meaningful action. Serving as a Peace Ambassador today means bridging IEP’s research with the grassroots capacity of ICCs and local clubs. Whether supporting youth entrepreneurship, mentoring the next generation of decision-makers, or building sustainable international partnerships, every initiative serves as a building block for sustainable peace.

A Call to Collective Engagement

Whether you are a Rotarian or a global citizen eager to make a difference, the takeaway is clear: peace is not the sole responsibility of governments. It hinges on our collective capacity to build networks of trust, engage in intercultural dialogue, and strengthen our local communities.This 2026 certification marks the start of an expanded responsibility: to equip our networks, share these actionable frameworks, and turn Positive Peace into an enduring daily reality.