Urban Peace...
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By the year 2000, the United Nations estimates more than half the world’s population will live in urban and suburban areas, many in cities of over 10 million inhabitants. The challenges of life in such densely populated areas with increasingly shared resources will no doubt lead to rising tensions.
Many problems, one associated with poverty and urban decay in large cities, are spreading into communities remote from large cities. These include:
•The negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse;
•The spread of street gangs and community violence;
•The growing number of homeless people; and
•The rising rate of teenage pregnancy.
The causes of these problems are many:
•Unemployment and unemployability;
•Poverty and hunger;
•Erosion of family values;
•Domestic violence;
•Lack of literacy and numeracy skills;
•Deterioration of inner cities.
All people have the right to enjoy life free of the fear of violence and crime. Rotary gave special attention to these issues in 1996-97, sponsoring seven urban Peace Conference; and more than 6,000 Rotary Conferences for New Generations were held worldwide. Rotarians returned to their communities, empowered by the realization they would make a difference in the lives of those around them.
Recognizing the magnitude of the need, the RI Board of Directors approved a three-year emphasis on Urban Peace, beginning in 1997, to focus the organization’s resources on this central aspect of Community Service. Rotarians and Rotary clubs can survey residents to identify the problems that threaten their communities and – working to unite local civic groups, governmental and nongovernmental organizations – develop plans of action to help solve them.
Westport Sunrise Rotary
PO Box 43
Westport, CT 06881-0043
P: 203-454-6446
F: 866-235-5591
www.westportsunriserotary.com
District 7980
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