A few weeks ago, my dear friend Marlene Dorfeuille from the Iberia Chapter
encouraged me to share my story of how I became part of the first
RAGFP-Certified Peacebuilder Club in District 2202.
This hasn’t been easy, as it’s often hard to look back in these fast—moving times,
but immediacy shouldn’t prevent us from understanding the roots of things.
My story begins in the 1980s. I was a high school student with a deep desire to
change the world, and protecting the environment became one of my main
causes.
Major events nearby, like the nuclear accident at Vandellós I and terrorist attacks
at the petrochemical plants in Tarragona — both less than 15 km from my home
— only intensified that desire.
During high school, I became a student leader and environmental activist. I didn’t
even know what Rotary was at the time, but the philosophy “Service Above Self”
was already deeply rooted in me.
Over time, I learned that not everything is black and white, good or bad, and that
rushed actions often lead to rushed consequences.
I gradually shifted toward
diplomacy, negotiation, and balance, which proved more effective.
I tried several organizations before finding Rotary. Through Rotary, I discovered
the real power we have to change the world, and how small actions can grow into
large projects that improve thousands of lives.
The more I learned about Rotary, the more I saw how its areas of focus — health,
water, education, and economic development — are deeply connected to
environmental protection and peace.
Societies that have these foundations are
more peaceful and better at caring for their environment.
I’ve seen how the ideals of my youth can be transformed into life-changing
projects.
Discreet but effective actions become lasting — what we in Rotary call
“sustainable.”
Thanks to Rotary training and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), I
became a Peace Ambassador.
I’ve learned to distinguish Positive Peace from
Negative Peace and to understand the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace.
I now understand that where the environment weakens, peace weakens too,
leading to conflict and instability.
Along this path, I discovered not only clubs and districts but also Rotary Action
Groups.
And I’ve realized that increasing weapons is not the answer, nor is
simply taking sides in conflict.
Peacebuilding is steady and quiet work, led by clubs and rooted in our
communities.
It’s not about fighting in today’s many wars (more than we see on
TV). We are not “Soldiers of Love” or UN peacekeepers.
We are volunteers.
While creating the Peacebuilder Club of Castelldefels with the Iberia Chapter, I’ve
joined meetings with RAGFP Chapters in Nigeria, the U.S., Iberia, and the U.K.
I’ve seen incredible people supporting vulnerable populations — from migrants to
the poor.
I’ve met Rotarians who worked with the International Court of Human
Rights, helped refugees, or served as mediators in indigenous communities in
remote countries.
Peace work is diverse. In my district, there are people who’ve led food
distribution programs, offered scholarships to youth from vulnerable families, or
purchased medical equipment for rural hospitals.
All these actions build peace — Positive Peace — aligning with one or more of
the 8 Pillars.
Sometimes, we think peace activism means taking to the streets to defend a
position.
But we can be Peacebuilders without confrontation.
As a member of the first RAGFP-Certified Peacebuilder Club in District 2202, a
member of the Environmental E-Club, and an IEP Peace Ambassador, I hope
more Rotary members will join initiatives like the RAGFP Iberia Chapter.
Together, we can continue building Positive Peace in our districts and
communities.
By Carles Rovira
Carles.Rovira@Rotary2202.org
Member of:
RAGFP Chapter Iberia
•
Environmental E-Club
•
IEP Peace Ambassador
