Rotary World Peace Symposium 2009

Adriaans & Associates recently secured Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the keynote speaker for The Rotary International Foundation to address the World Peace Symposium in the UK in June 2009.

Rotary International 2009 Convention

The Rotary World Peace Symposium was held in Birmingham, England on the 18th and 19th of June, 2009. It brought together Rotary World Peace Fellows, funded by The Rotary Foundation and earning their Master's Degrees in peace and conflict resolution, with Rotarians from around the globe to consider issues that will make the world a more peaceful place. The theme of the 2009 Symposium was "Challenges to Peacebuilding". The Symposium also celebrated the seven Rotary Centers for peace and conflict resolution across the world where the Fellows study.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu encouraged Rotary World Peace Fellows and young Rotarians to "go for it" in working for world peace.

"I have a high admiration for young people. I believe very strongly in the fact that they are dreamers," Tutu said during a press conference at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole in Birmingham, England before his keynote address at the National Exhibition Centre. "Look at polio. When they started out saying they wanted to eradicate polio, a lot of people said you ought to have your head read. Now there are only four countries where polio is endemic. This is fantastic. It is going to happen, and it is fantastic."

A global voice for social justice and reconciliation, Tutu has garnered many honorary degrees and awards, including the Order for Meritorious Service Award from former South African President Nelson Mandela. He co-founded the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust, which aims to establish the Peace Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. More on his cause can be found at www.tutu.org.