“Problems can be solved if we have understanding” – women’s rights activist

…as Rotary observes World Peace and Understanding Day

Most of the problems in the world can be solved if humans have better understanding. This is according to women’s rights activist Lyndell Danzie-Black.
Her comments were made on Saturday evening at a dinner hosted by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam in observance of World Peace and Understanding Day (WPUD).
WPUD is observed annually on February 23 by Rotarians worldwide.
Addressing club members and members at Leisure Inn in New Amsterdam, Danzie-Black, who is the co-founder of the Women Chamber of Industry and Commerce Guyana and co-creator of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award, said peace is the only pathway to a better world.
She pointed out that what is needed is for all to unite and take action if there is hope for the attainment world peace.
“I also challenge you to be kind, to be compassionate, to demonstrate true respect for each other and respect for the person who may be down in your mind and ignorant because they too have their story. As we celebrate the day of understanding and peace, I am imploring you that we need to demonstrate an attitude and behaviour of peace through mutual respect for each other. It is in the mutual respect that true peace occurs,” Danzie-Black, who is also the Managing Director of Cerulean Inc – a local company, said.
To celebrate Rotary’s birthday, February has long been designated World Understanding Month and February 23 as World Peace and Understanding Day. More recently, as part of the new strategic thrust, the annual observances have been changed to more closely reflect Rotary International’s areas of focus; February has been re-designated as Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month.

President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, Tajpaul Adjodhea addressing the gathering pointed out that world peace and understanding have long been a focus of Rotary.
“Rotary’s unerring pursuit of peace, goodwill and international understanding, and its work in championing global humanitarian causes was recognised at the consultations leading to the establishment of the United Nations.”
Rotary International, he said, was one of the 42 organisations invited by the US Government to serve as consultants to its delegation to the San Francisco conference.
“Rotarians from many other countries, in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, also served as members or advisers to their own countries’ delegations. Some 49 Rotarians were involved in 29 country delegations at the Charter Conference in 1945. Rotary was at the table in the beginning and remains at the table today, holding the highest consultative status granted to an NGO by UNESCO, and being represented on several UN bodies,” Adjodhea added.
The Peace Fellows programmes, which are available at 7 universities worldwide, accept up to 100 persons annually to pursue a Master’s degree or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies.
Meanwhile, Rotary International is set to expand the programme further, with two new centres to be opened over the next several years.
“The Caribbean is one of the regions being considered for these centres, and we certainly hope that one of the universities in the region will be selected, which should enable easier access for would-be fellows in our district.”
Rotary International has also embarked on a partnership with the Institute of Economics and Peace to promote peace.
“In considering peace, we must look at peace, not just being the absence of war or the cessation of violence, but peace in terms of a feeling of safety and where there is mutual respect for human rights,” Adjodhea said.
Across the world, there are 1.2 million Rotarians in about 35,000 clubs located on every continent and in almost every country across the world. Additionally, there are 250,792 Rotaractors (young persons between the ages of 18 and 30) and 468,536 Interactors (between the ages of 12 and 18). (G4)