A Kirkcudbright Rotary Club Member from Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway is among six Rotary ‘People of Action: Champions of Peace’ to be recognized at the United Nations
Named one of six Rotary People of Action: Champions of Peace for her efforts to help young people develop generic conflict resolution skills, Jean Best, a Rotary member from Kirkcudbright, will present her work at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to an audience of UN officials, philanthropists and Rotary members attending the service organization’s annual Rotary Day at the United Nations on Nov. 11, 2017.
Jean who lives in Newton Stewart was named as one of six Rotary People of Action: Champions of Peace for her commitment to creating lasting peace and resolving conflict. She is the only one residing in the UK. The others being from Columbia, Bangaldesh and 3 from the United States
Jean created a skills based Peace Project which turned young people into Peace Advocates, who can then make informed decisions for themselves and others. Her programme is now global having been translated into Spanish, had an American version created and soon to be translated into German. To date, Best has positively impacted on the lives of 5000 people living in Mexico City and Chihuahua, United States, Queensland Australia, Berlin, Germany, the UK and Ireland creating Peace Advocates with highly developed skills to break the cycle of conflict in daily lives.
She will present her work at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to an audience of UN officials, philanthropists and Rotary members attending the service organization’s annual ‘Rotary Day at the United Nations’ on Nov. 11, 2017. A global audience can tune in to the livestream at http://webtv.un.org/ 9.00am
Jean told DGWGO said “I feel honoured to be recognised at such a prestigious event. I represent all young people in highlighting their importance as leaders of the 21st century. We are giving them the skills to deal with situations that they may face in their life and trust, if these problems are dealt with, we can start to change the way people think.
“Peace is much more than the mere absence of violence,” said Rotary International President Ian H.S. Riseley. “The work of these honorees exemplifies a shift in the world’s conversation about peace to a positive, achievable and tangible measure of human wellbeing and progress.”
Rotary members and peace fellows throughout the world take action to address underlying causes of conflict by providing access to clean water and sanitation, supporting education, preventing and treating disease, saving mothers and children and growing local economies. Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. To access broadcast quality video footage and still photos go to: The Newsmarket.
