Positive Peace: The Rotary-IEP Partnership in Local Peacebuilding

The IEP Ambassador Program offered by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) provides a platform for individuals like Aibinuomo Oluwatoyosi Rhoda to actively engage in local peacebuilding efforts. Rhoda, who is also a Rotarian, recently showcased the impact of this collaboration during a presentation on Positive Peace at the Rotary University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. 

Utilising the knowledge acquired through the IEP Ambassador program, Rhoda’s presentation aimed to dispel misconceptions surrounding Negative Peace while emphasising the importance of fostering Positive Peace. By introducing the audience to the eight pillars of Positive Peace, Rhoda illuminated pathways for collective action towards building a more harmonious society. 

In the context of Nigeria, Rhoda’s presentation holds particular significance. The country ranks 144 out of 163 in the 2023 Global Peace Index, indicating significant challenges in achieving peace and stability. Nigeria grapples with various issues, including violence stemming from electoral processes, armed conflicts involving multiple groups, and socioeconomic disparities exacerbated by inflation and lack of social protections. Rhoda’s emphasis on inclusivity, particularly empowering women, resonates deeply in a nation where gender-based inequalities persist despite strides in formal education. 

Furthermore, healthcare serves as an entry point for peacebuilding in Nigeria. The Rotary University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where Rhoda delivered her presentation, represents a critical nexus where healthcare interventions intersect with efforts to promote peace and understanding. By addressing healthcare disparities and promoting wellness initiatives, organisations like Rotary and IEP contribute to building resilient communities capable of navigating challenges and fostering positive relationships. 

The partnership between Rotary and the IEP amplifies the impact of such initiatives. By leveraging the global reach of Rotary and the expertise of IEP, local communities gain access to valuable resources and knowledge necessary for meaningful peacebuilding. Rhoda’s presentation serves as a testament to the transformative potential of this collaboration in fostering understanding and resilience within communities. 

As we navigate the complexities of our world, initiatives like the Rotary-IEP partnership offer hope for a brighter future. By promoting Positive Peace and empowering individuals to act, we move closer to realising a world defined by harmony, prosperity, and shared humanity.

About the IEP Ambassador Program

Throughout the IEP Ambassador Program, participants engage in a series of webinars where they are introduced to IEP’s Positive Peace Framework. The Positive Peace Framework involves using a systems-based approach to better understand the creation and maintenance of peaceful societies.

IEP’s empirically based research teaches us that the health of a society must be understood within the broader context of its attitudes, institutions and structures. Where these are positive, they will contribute to creating a state of Positive Peace. This is as opposed to the common practice of viewing peace as being measured only by the absence of violence, also known as Negative Peace.

To learn more and to participate, please visit IEP Ambassador Program website.

Rotary – IEP Partnership

Launched in 2017, the Rotary-Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) Partnership is one of Rotary’s strategic partnerships. Rotary’s key strength is the ability to convene and mobilize locally – Rotary members are experts at this. IEPs key strength is its decade long data driven peace research, which is being used to teach Rotary members to apply new peacebuilding methods to their communities while addressing underlying causes of conflicts.