Unite for Peace - May 20, 2026

May 15, 2026: On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Rotary Zones 28 & 32 will host Unite for Peace, a free worldwide Zoom gathering featuring Rotary Peace Fellows, musicians, storytellers, humanitarian leaders, and voices from communities affected by conflict and displacement. This is not a political event; it is an opportunity to listen, reflect, and explore how ordinary people around the world are building peace through courage, creativity, service, and human connection.

At a time when many people are looking for hopeful, practical ways to respond to division and conflict, Unite for Peace invites participants to hear directly from people whose lives and work are rooted in peacebuilding. Through conversation, music, storytelling, and lived experience, the event will highlight how peace is built person by person, community by community, and action by action.

Featured presenters, moderators, and musicians include:

• Yinka Babalola: Humanitarian, storyteller, and incoming Rotary International President

• Anne Kjær Bathel: Refugee tech education leader and Rotary Champion of Peace

• Cedric Bichano: Filmmaker, advocate, and Rotaract member

• Diego Carneiro: Cellist, conductor, and Rotary Peace Fellow

• Diane Donaher: Peace and dialogue facilitator

• Honouring Indigenous Peoples: Leaders of the Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Experience

• Chenai Kadungure: Youth peacebuilding advocate and founding member of Rotary Global Partners in Peace

• Daisy Jopling: International concert violinist and Rotary Peace Fellow

• David LaMotte: Musician and peace activist

• Linda Low: Community peacebuilder and educator

• Will McInerney: Spoken word poet and Rotary Peace Fellow

The program brings together voices from different countries, generations, and life experiences. Some participants come to this work through music. Others come through humanitarian service, education, refugee leadership, community dialogue, or Rotary Peace Fellowship training. Together, their stories offer a powerful reminder that peacebuilding is not abstract. It is personal, practical, and possible.

Rotary has long recognized peacebuilding as one of its core areas of focus. Unite for Peace reflects that commitment by creating space for people to learn from one another, deepen understanding, and consider how each of us can contribute to peace in our own communities.

The event is free and open to everyone. Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, community members, students, educators, musicians, faith communities, service organizations, and anyone interested in peace and human connection are warmly invited to attend.

Pre-register for Unite for Peace

Please help spread the word by sharing the registration link, inviting friends and colleagues, and using the hashtags #UniteForPeace and #RotaryZones28and32.

References:
1. Unite for Peace Event Page
2. Unite for Peace Website
3. Rotary International: Promoting Peace

Published on May 15, 2026
Prepared by Erin Ueffing, Rotary Club of West Ottawa