February is World Understanding Month

Rotary Promotes Goodwill, Peace and World Understanding

February is "World Understanding" month on the Rotary calendar and it is most appropriate at this time that we revisit an article in the January 1946 Rotarian Magazine written by Rotary Founder Paul Harris. Although Paul Harris wrote this article in the shadow of World War II and some of his comments may be dated in the light of the 21st century, the central truths of his comments about peace are timeless. Following is a short excerpt from that article.

"When a certain distinguished scientist was asked what coming invention would mean most to mankind, he answered, 'I don't think that any invention will mean so much to mankind as the discovery of a better way to get along together.' But how can we find a better way to get along together?

There is the Golden Rule, but every nation believes its way is the Golden Rule way. Sir Norman Angell has wisely observed that no nation, however aggressive and inhuman its course may be, is conscious of guilt; its people are taught that they are superior to all others and that destiny calls them to lead. Most nations are overeducated in their virtues and undereducated in their vices. Open-mindedness and tolerance are earmarks of the Rotary approach to the problem. Clubs exist in some 60 nations and opportuni- ties for discord abound. But though membership includes representatives of all religious and political parties, discord is rare in Rotary.

The Rotary way works! But Rotary has no patent on it, for it is but the Golden Rule in action. Any person, any nation, can apply it by displacing negative hatred and fear with goodwill based upon understanding. Peace among nations is not impossible of attainment; they can find peace if they will."

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