Building Trust to Prevent Conflict: A Learning Event for Young Leaders

On Saturday April 11^th, leadership from Rotary District #7620 and District #7610 joined representatives from the Rotary Club of Washington Global (RCWG) with the faculty and staff at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution for the start of Peace Week. PeacePlayers International, also teamed up for the first in a series of peacebuilding learning events for young emerging leaders scheduled during Carter School’s Spring and Fall Peace Week.   

Dean Alpasian Ozerdem hosted the event and welcomed the participants while emphasizing the value of the collaboration between Rotary and the Carter School, particularly given the Carter School’s Role as chair of the United Nations education hub for sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions.  

Rose Cardarelli, RCWG, 7620 District Governor Nominee, Cheri Maea, 7610 District Governor Nominee, and Mari Clarke, RCWG President-Elect, and Chair, Rotary District 7620 Peace Committee, also welcomed the participants and emphasized the value of peace and partnership.  

More than 30 participants actively engaged in dynamic sessions on identity awareness, active listening, and conflict-sensitive dialogue led by Rotary Peace Fellow’s Pushpi Weerakoon and Carlos Guiza, along with Maz Tinmau RCWG, and Isabela Cuevas, Carter School.  Activities included an interactive case study and a creative conflict transformation “museum” designed in small groups.  

In the afternoon, PeacePlayers International facilitated participant activities using sports to build trust, teamwork, and peacebuilding skills on the green at the George Mason Arlington Campus (see https://peaceplayers.org/).  

We thank Rotary District 7620 Peace Committee and the Rockville Rotary Club for their generous support as well as strong endorsement for the initiative by several District clubs.  

Planning for the Fall Peace Week Workshop will focus on Interactors and will begin in July 2026. RCWG and the Carter School welcome participation from other Rotary and Rotaractor clubs in planning, fundraising and participating in this highly anticipated September event. 

Photos courtesy of Mari Clarke and Alonzo Wind.