Purpose
The Rotaract Peace Conference in Pompeii brought Rotaractors from the Rotaract Europe and Rotaract Mediterranean MDIOs together to discuss and develop peace project initiatives in countries recovering from inter-ethnic conflict, on the path towards youth inter-ethnic reconciliation, and to spread the values of tolerance, protection and freedom across the Rotary community.
Why Pompeii?
Holding the peace conference in Pompeii was a symbolic and meaningful choice — Pompeii is where Rotaract Mediterranean was first established. Hosting the conference there honoured the origins of the organisation and celebrated the journey undertaken since its inception.
The city’s resilience and its ability to withstand the test of time mirror the resilience needed in peace-building efforts. Its ancient ruins and historical significance provided an inspiring environment for discussions on peace and unity, while its central Mediterranean location made it accessible to participants from many countries, encouraging greater regional collaboration.
Workshop: six challenges every peace project must overcome
Participants engaged in discussions, problem-solving exercises and real-world case studies, working through the six critical challenges of running a peace project:
- Needs assessment — identifying real needs and setting clear objectives.
- From vision to plan — structuring your project, making a realistic budget, and crafting a compelling pitch.
- Building alliances — the art of networking and effective role allocation.
- Resource mobilisation — securing funding and support.
- Ensuring sustainability — making an impact that lasts.
- Evaluation and lessons learned — measuring success and improving future projects.
Through interactive discussions and shared experiences, participants gained practical insight into overcoming these challenges — whether launching a new initiative or strengthening an existing project.
Speakers
Patricia Shafer
Executive Director, NewGen Peacebuilders · Rotary Peace FellowPatricia is Executive Director of the international non-profit NewGen Peacebuilders and the associated Youth & Peace in Action initiative. She also serves as Senior Fellow for Peace Education at the Alliance for Peacebuilding in Washington, DC, and as Global Ambassador with the Institute for Economics & Peace. Her focus is leadership for the design and delivery of peace education, training and mentoring programmes that integrate leadership development, project management, and conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding.
Patricia is one of more than 1,500 Rotary Peace Fellows, selected on the basis of extensive non-profit and consulting accomplishments across East Africa. For her work in South Sudan she was nominated for a UNESCO prize for girls’ and women’s literacy, and in 2022 she received the Melanie Greenberg Award for Excellence in US Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding. She previously held senior positions in change management and communications at two global Fortune 100 companies.
Ambassador Walter B. Gyger
Rotary contact, Harmony Peace Project — Bosnia and HerzegovinaAmbassador Walter Gyger has long been committed to tackling the challenges of preparing and implementing peace projects. As Rotary’s main contact for the Harmony Peace Project — From Inner to Outer Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina — he has gained first-hand experience navigating the complexities of peacebuilding efforts.
His workshop led participants through the practical realities of turning peace-building ambitions into lasting impact.