Zone 22 Donald MacRae Peace Award

Posted by Brian Matthews

On July 12, PDG Bette Douglas, President Ed MacDonald and Vice President Brian Matthews had the honour of attending the Pugwash Peace Exchange Annual Dinner. During that event we had the priveledge of presenting the Donald MacRae Peace Award which our club nominated them for. Here is the press release that outlines this award.

June 27, 2008

Pugwash Peace Exchange Wins
Rotary International's Peace Award

Pugwash, Nova Scotia - Pugwash Peace Exchange (PPE) has been awarded the Rotary International (Zone 22) Donald MacRae Peace Award that recognizes and honours PPE for outstanding achievement, in advancing "international understanding, goodwill and peace." Zone 22 consists of Rotary Clubs in Canada as well as parts of the United States, France and Russia .

"Pugwash Peace Exchange exemplifies Rotary's main objective: To provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world," said Rotary International President, Wilfrid Wilkinson. "PPE's dedication to advancing peace is truly commendable."

"The Pugwash Peace Exchange is deeply honoured to accept this award," said Stephen Leahey, President of the PPE. "The Donald MacRae Peace Award is a tribute to all members and volunteers of the Pugwash Peace Exchange, the conference participants who work tirelessly for peace and disarmament around the world, and the community of Pugwash that has been so supportive of our activities over the years."

The award commemorates the contribution of Halifax Rotarian Donald MacRae, who, in a speech to the International Convention in Kansas City in June, 1918 first proposed that Rotary promote goodwill and peace among nations. This vision was incorporated into the Rotary's constitution in 1921 and, to this day, has remained the major international goal and initiative of Rotary clubs around the world.

" This summer, the Pugwash Peace Exchange will continue to advance 'international understanding, goodwill and peace.' The PPE will once again bring together legislators and disarmament experts from around the world at the Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash, Nova Scotia to develop new strategies for building the political will necessary to take bold steps for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament," said Leahey. "The conference, Parliamentarians and Political Will: Advancing the Agenda for Abolition, takes place July 10-12, 2008."

Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders, having 33,000 clubs ion 200 countries.

The Pugwash Peace Exchange is dedicated to establishing a world-class peace education facility in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, the birthplace of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Pugwash Conferences. It is a federally registered non-profit organization, established in 2003. Visit http://www.pugwashpeaceexchange.org for updates on upcoming activities.