US Ambassador speaks on peace at Rotary Club gala

RotaryGeorgetown: Rotarians and Guests of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central were treated to a Gala Luncheon at the Georgetown Club which featured entertainment of a high standard from the Theatre Company and accomplished Guyanese musician Mr. Colgrain Whyte. 

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central will also host a tree planting ceremony to highlight its commitment to Peace at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014 in the National Park.

The occasion held last Sunday marked one of the activities in the Club’s commemoration of the 109th Anniversary of Rotary International which was founded by Paul Harris on February 23, 1905.

The highlight of the event was the address by Guest Speaker, Mr. Brent Hardt, Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana and Caricom.  In his very energetic style he shared thoughts on how the United States government is working to promote peace, understanding and prosperity.  He highlighted the fact that while the obstacles to peace can be daunting, the promotion of ties in commerce, cultural exchanges, youth empowerment programmes etc can provide tremendous avenues through which peace and understanding can be forged.  He underscored his government’s focus on a new era of diplomacy which is rooted in the building of partnerships and empowering people within countries and highlighted the various components of the proposed LEAD project as a relevant example in Guyana.  With a belief in the human spirit and promoting people to people interaction, education and outreach, win-win situations that lead to greater understanding could be fostered.

The Quest for understanding and peace has been the cornerstone of Rotary since its early days and in 1921 it was agreed that peacemaking would be incorporated into its constitution and bylaws.  Many Rotary Programmes are designed to promote understanding among people of different countries and cultures and peacemaking activities have been encouraged by the Board of Rotary International which has designated February World Understanding Month and February 23 as World Understanding and Peace Day.

Rotary International is an international service organization comprising in excess of 34,000 clubs and 1.2 million members worldwide whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.