Rotary Peace Centre at The University of Queensland

On 5th June 2026, at the Rotary Peace Park at the University of Queensland, we gathered for a beautiful tradition, celebrating and fare-welling our Rotary Peace Fellows Class 23.

As their names were added to the collection of bricks honoring every Rotary Peace Fellow who has come through the Centre since 2003, we reflected on the friendships, growth, challenges, and shared commitment to building a more peaceful world that have defined this remarkable cohort.

Congratulations to Salim, Pravin, Thristina, Krizzy, Camilo, Sam, Lorena, Emmanuel, Pat, and Kathleen. Your names now hold a permanent place in the Peace Park, but more importantly, your contributions and spirit will continue to leave a lasting mark on communities around the world.

A heartfelt thank you to Eric Wood, as our current HAC, and Leslie former HAC of Class 23, our Rotary Advisory Board members, host counsellors, and Rotary club members whose guidance, encouragement, and support have helped shape this journey.

Though their time as fellows is coming to an end, the impact they will make around the world is only just beginning. May their paths continue to inspire peace wherever they go.

While it is difficult to say goodbye, we are excited to see where your journeys lead next and look forward to staying connected with you as our newest alumni cohort. 🕊️🌏💙

Text written by Sajani Balasingam, Class 24 Rotary Peace Fellow at UQ


Eric Wood Rotary Down Under Rotary Peace Centers Pravin Kalpana Subhash Thristina Kanka Camilo Arango Patmillia Doe Paivey

Former UQ Rotary Peace Fellow Brings Human Rights Concerns to United Nations

Rachel Hall Beecroft, Peace Fellow alumna from The University of Queensland in Australia, has taken her human rights advocacy to the global stage. As co-author of two Shadow Reports submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Beecroft documents U.S. violations of the human rights to bodily autonomy and to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

The report on bodily autonomy details patterns of discrimination and restrictive laws that limit individuals’ ability to make decisions about their own bodies, and explores devastating impact of federal rollbacks. The climate report examines widespread U.S. executive and legislative action prioritizing fossil fuel use over green energy, denying impacts of the climate crisis, and systematically dismantling existing environmental protection regulations to protect the environment.

Every 4.5 years, UN member countries are reviewed on their human rights policies and practices. The reports, submitted by a coalition* of national non-profit organizations led by World Without Genocide, where Beecroft has worked for many years, urge international attention to these issues. Shadow Reports allow civil society organizations to introduce critical issues that the country under review may have omitted or presented less than accurately or fully.

Beecroft, sponsored by District 5950 and hosted by the Wellington Point Rotary Club, is an alumna of the University of Minnesota and currently lives in Lansing, Michigan. She served as a Rotary Peace Fellow at The University of Queensland and from 2015-16 completed her Applied Field Experience with Nonviolent Peaceforce in Myanmar supporting peacekeeping efforts. She went on to become a Peace Ambassador for the Institute for Economics and Peace before accepting the position of Communications Director for World Without Genocide, a human rights organization in Minnesota. She publishes on genocide, bodily autonomy, domestic violence, and the climate crisis.

Beecroft stated, “Addressing federal attacks on bodily autonomy and intentional rollbacks to climate policy and action are critical to address reproductive and environmental justice. These issues demand urgent attention. U.S. government action actively endangers current and future generations.”

Read the reports: www.worldwithoutgenocide.org/UNshadowreporting

We have revamped and redone our Rotary Peace Centers website: https://rotary.centre.uq.edu.au/ so please check it out. Rotary Down Under

A very full and packed meeting of our UQ Rotary Peace Centre Advisory Board yesterday. So nice to have everyone there, reflecting, pondering and plotting on what we do and where we want to take things.

Present at the meeting: Seb Kaempf, Melissa Johnston, Sherina Saraswati, Katrina Lee Koo, Leslie Smith, Michelle Davis, John Lawrence, Eric Wood, Thristina Kanka (Class 23 Rep), Pravin Wankhede (Class 23 Rep), Sandra Camila Alderete Alvarez (Class 24 Rep), Igor Chehouan Fischer (Class 24 Rep), Erika Yague, and Olatunde Ogunyale (our two Peace Fellows alumni reps). Rotary Peace Centers Rotary Down Under Thristina Kanka Pravin Kalpana Subhash Eric Wood Mish Davis Igor Chehouan Fischer Camila Alderete Ogunyale A. Olatunde

On 14 May, our Class XXIII Peace Fellows, Thristina Kanka and Pravin Kalpana Subhash, had the honour of attending the Girmit Day commemoration, remembering the resilience, sacrifices, and contributions of the Girmitiya community. It was a meaningful experience to join Rotarian Bill York, Pravinita Singh Pillay, and many others in celebrating this important part of history and cultural heritage. The event highlighted the enduring legacy of unity, perseverance, and multiculturalism that continues to inspire future generations.

15 May Registration Deadline - don't miss out!

Learning about peacebuilding and conflict resolution is not just for peace fellows! Join world-leading expert faculty from our Rotary Peace Centre at The University of Queensland for a unique, in-person learning experience on the beautiful UQ St Lucia campus in Brisbane.

The Rotary Peace Education Series is a brand new, three-day program open to Rotarians, Rotaractors, program participants, Rotary staff, partner organizations, and friends/family — anyone eager to deepen their understanding of peace studies and conflict resolution.

Over three days, you’ll explore today’s most pressing challenges to global peace, cover cutting-edge research on conflict trends, learn about the role of gender and youth in conflict resolution, and expand your peacebuilding toolkit with guidance from world-class experts.

📆 Friday, 26 June – Sunday, 28 June 2026
📍 Rotary Peace Center at The University of Queensland, St Lucia (Brisbane, Australia)
🙌🏽 Members of the Rotary community and their guests
Ready to increase your peacebuilding expertise?
👉🏽 Course details and enrollment: https://study.uq.edu.au/short-courses/rotary-peace-education-series

Rotary Down Under Rotary Peace Centers Rotary Club of Brisbane Centenary

A few weekends ago, our Rotary Peace Fellows Amanda, Becca, and Sam visited Bribie Island to help with their monthly market and assist with the Turtle Trackers Association to promote sea turtle conservation and science research.
Bribie Rotary

Recently, our Class 24 Rotary Peace Fellow Becca Buse joined into the Bribie Sunday Markets with Host John Oxenford (hosted by Bribie Rotary Club every month). Bribie Rotary Becca Buse Rotary Peace Centers

Two of our Rotary Peace Fellows, Vagda Galhotra (Class 24) and Salim Uqdah (Class 23) spoke at the recent Tri-District Rotary Conference in May. Plus, various fellows from our classes 23 and 24 also attended.