Season 1

Together For Peace:

Now more than ever, it is essential to connect and unify together to enact humanitarian good, even if it’s from our living room. This is why, the Rotary Action Group for Peace is bringing conversations of peace action from our living rooms, to yours. This series will not only be an educational experience to learn from RAGFP Peacebuilders, but also an opportunity to connect directly with Peacebuilders from around the globe. Ask questions and interact with our featured guest each episode to cultivate peace action during these unprecedented times.

This series will highlight the stories of RAGFP peacebuilders and their inspiring journey to create effective positive peace action in their local communities and around the globe. In addition to telling their stories, our guests will discuss the needs of their communities in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak. So brew up your favorite tea or coffee in your special mug, bring a plate of yummy snacks, and join us from the comfort of your couch to come Together For Peace.

Episode 13: Carolyn Jones

We are incredibly excited to have Carolyn Jones as our season finale guest. During her 31 years of practicing law, Carolyn served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska Attorney General’s Office as well as a supervising attorney in the office for several years before retirement. Not only is Carolyn a decorated Civil Rights Attorney, but a decorated Rotarian. She was the District Governor of 5010, served on the Board of Trustees of the Rotary Foundation and several councils and advisory boards throughout Rotary. Her dedication to Service Above Self has earned her numerous awards within Rotary and the non-profit sector and has been inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of fame in 2012.

Episode 12: Tyrone Poole

Tyrone is the ingenious social entrepreneur behind OneApp. He was a top-of-his-class firefighter who lost his job after severely injuring his leg during a training session. Out of a job with endless medical bills, Tyrone found himself houseless. He found that his major obstacle out of poverty was the unfair system of housing applications in Portland, Oregon and in many cities around the United States. Learn more about Tyrone’s incredible journey and how his company, OneApp, helps vulnerable communities receive affordable housing.

Episode 11: Patricia Schechter

Patricia Schechter is a professor of history at Portland State University, where she has taught since 1995. Patricia has written numerous publications including Ida B. Wells Barnett and American Reform 1880-1930, and Exploring Decolonial Imaginary: Four Transnational Lives. She is a prizewinning public historian, and her oral history projects, exhibits, and collection-development work have been recognized by the Oral History Association and numerous community groups.

Episode 10: Yale Jones

Yale is a former Peace Corps volunteer, a Rotarian, and a retired attorney. He has served on the boards or advisory boards of a number of local non-profit organizations in his home of Taos, New Mexico, including the Himalayan Stove Project. Yale is a serial volunteer who leads by example with a spirit full of generosity. From serving in the Peace Corps in Kenya, being a “Big Brother”, a community representative for the Taos County Adult Drug Court Team, a bi-weekly volunteer for SharedTable, and being an active Rotary leader, Yale truly lives by the phrase “Service Above Self.”

Episode 9: Charlie Allen

Charlie is currently the Director of Partnerships at the Institute for Economics and Peace. Charles previously was with Victoria Police, where his team led change in support of Aboriginal, LGBTI, Disability, Mental health, Multicultural, Youth and Seniors communities. Outside of his long and diverse policing career he has been an active peacebuilder – running resilience retreats, director with not for profits and projects for social cohesion and capability building programs.

Episode 8: Bob Reid

Bob is a philanthropist, Rotarian, researcher, and Peacebuilder currently serving as the chief executive officer for one of the largest private foundations in New Mexico. Bob dedicates his life’s work to collaborate, uplift, and empower the most vulnerable. As a true Rotarian, his big heart and generous spirit are demonstrated through his diverse acts of service. Bob has served on projects through Rotary, United4Change, as well as his own non-profit organizations. He has conducted one-of-a-kind research and lectures on philanthropic practices that have inspired 100s of organizations. He is currently working on two Rotary Global Grants focused on leadership building and COVID-19 relief. As a CEO of the JF Maddox Foundation, Bob focuses their work on education reform, higher education, workforce training, community development, social services, and access to healthcare in SE New Mexico. Hear Bob’s enriching story and inspiring character for global peacebuilding on today’s episode of Together for Peace.

Episode 7: Julia Phelps

Julia has been active in her service to Rotary for over 20 years. She has served numerous roles within Rotary, from the president of the Rotary Club of Amesbury, District 7930’s Chair, and now, as an appointed Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. Her breadth and variety in experience demonstrate her dedication to service above self. She has worked with RYLA, the Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group, and several summits and conferences around the world. Join us next week to learn from Julia’s peacebuilding journey through Rotary.

Episode 6: Muyatwa Sitali

Muyatwa has had a lifelong passion for peacebuilding. A Rotary Peace Fellow and current Specialist at Sanitation and Water for All by UNICEF, Sitali works every day to improve the lives of millions. Between his upbringing on a farm in Zambia, his experiences all over Africa, and now living in New Jersey for SWA, Sitali has a complete view of the obstacles and solutions for water quality and development in the world’s most fragile communities. Sitali’s story will remind you of how precious clean water and sanitation facilities are, especially in the time of COVID-19. Learn more about Sitali’s work, the SWA, and how to take sustainable action for communities who do not have access to clean water and sanitation this Friday on Together for Peace. About the RAGFP

Episode 5: Steve Killelea

In 2007, Steve founded the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an international think tank dedicated to building a greater understanding of the interconnection between business, peace and economics with particular emphasis on the economic benefits of peace. IEP’s ground-breaking research includes the Global Peace Index, the world’s leading measure of peacefulness. Steve’s founding of IEP was recognized as one of the 50 most impactful philanthropic gifts in Australia’s history and his commitment to peace has earned him two Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Steve currently serves on a number of influential Company Boards, Advisory Boards, and President Councils. In 2010 he was honored as Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the global peace movement and the provision of humanitarian aid to the developing world. In 2013 Steve was nominated one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Armed Violence Reduction” by the UK group Action on Armed Violence.

Episode 4: Ximena Murillo

Ximena is a Peace Fellow and President and CEO of United4Change (U4C). U4C was launched to develop and implement strategies to empower women in vulnerable communities. Now, U4C has expanded to help all people build resilience and reduce peace inequality around the world. From education, access to information, skills training, leadership development, economic development, and capacity building, Ximena and U4C build strategic partnerships within communities that do the work that needs to be done. Learn more about Ximena’s work with Rotarians and other organizations that pave paths toward peace for fragile communities around the world.

Episode 3: Mundar Apte

Peacebuilder, filmmaker, and Program Director of Cities4Peace, Mandar Apte is a former Shell GameChanger who has invested in ideas that create high social impact. As an acclaimed expert on leadership, entrepreneurship, and social innovation, Mandar has spoken on these topics for TEDx, universities, and conferences around the world. His film “From India With Love” has inspired grassroots leaders from around the globe on the methods for peace activism. Listen to Mandar’s journey as a peace activist and learn how to lead and activate peace through the practice of mindfulness and non-violence.

Episode 2: Matt Christl

For our second webinar, we will be featuring Matt Christl, the West Coast Director of Advancement for Destiny Rescue USA. Millions of women and children are vulnerable to human trafficking and sex-trade around the world, which is why the RAGFP is highlighting this issue during Rotary Month of Maternal and Child Health. Matt is responsible for maintaining and developing partnerships in this fight to combat human trafficking and empowering people to turn awareness into action. He takes great pride and joy in helping people figure out what their “yes” looks like to help defend children.

Episode 1: Salvador Rico

For our first webinar, we will be featuring Salvador Rico, Rotarian, father, and global Peacebuilder for water quality. Back in 2007, Rico started “Cleaning the Rivers of the World” with the Rotary Club of South Ukiah in California. After seeing the devastating pollution in rivers in his state, he knew that the pollution problem in other nations, like his home in Mexico, needed immediate action as well. Now, Salvador has worked with Rotarians, businesses, and scientists around the world to work under a common goal of cleaning our rivers.