Kingston Rotary Clubs Unite to Create a Lasting Symbol of Peace
Kingston’s four Rotary clubs have unveiled the city’s first Rotary Peace Pole
Rotarians, community leaders and local residents gathered at Breakwater Park to dedicate Kingston’s first Rotary Peace Pole.
Kingston’s four Rotary clubs have unveiled the city’s first Rotary Peace Pole, creating a permanent reminder that peace begins with understanding, dialogue and action.
On 16 July, approximately 80 Rotarians, community leaders and local residents gathered at Breakwater Park on Kingston’s waterfront to dedicate the new Peace Pole. Despite the smoky conditions caused by wildfires across Ontario and Quebec, the community came together to mark an important moment for peacebuilding in the city.
The project was a collaborative effort involving the Rotary Club of Kingston, Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac, Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston and Rotary Club of Kingston Waterfront. The ceremony also included representatives from the City of Kingston and Rotary District 7040.
This message appears on Peace Poles in more than 200,000 communities around the world.
The Peace Pole carries its message in several languages. |
Kingston’s four Rotary clubs worked together on the project. |
Part of a Global Movement for Peace
Bearing the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in several languages, the pole connects Kingston with a global movement found in more than 200,000 communities around the world. Peace Poles can be found in public parks, schools, places of worship, businesses and private gardens, each carrying the same shared hope for a more peaceful world.
The ceremony opened with Kingston Town Crier Chris Whyman, followed by a land acknowledgement delivered by Stephanie Fox-Comery, a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Kingston. Her remarks connected peace with truth, reconciliation and our shared responsibility to care for the land and one another.
John Farrow, president of the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston, welcomed those in attendance and recognised the many community partners who helped bring the project to life, including Councillor Brandon Tozzo, who introduced the proposal.
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Peace Begins with Listening
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson joined Councillor Tozzo to officially unveil the pole. The mayor recognised the contribution of Kingston’s four active Rotary clubs and welcomed the possibility of establishing additional Peace Poles elsewhere in the city.
Past District Governor Graeme Fraser represented District 7040 at the ceremony. He spoke about the growing number of Peace Poles appearing across the district and reminded those gathered that peace often begins with something very human: people listening to one another with openness and respect. He also highlighted Rotary’s wider investment in peace education through the Rotary Peace Fellowship programme and its network of Rotary Peace Centers.
District Governor-Elect Elsabe Falkson concluded the ceremony by encouraging those present to see peace not simply as an aspiration, but as a conscious choice reflected in our everyday decisions and actions.
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson and Councillor Brandon Tozzo officially unveiled the Peace Pole.
Working Together to Create Lasting Impact
The Kingston project demonstrates what Rotary clubs can accomplish when they work together and invite the wider community to participate. While the pole itself is a visible monument, its deeper purpose is to encourage conversation, goodwill and a shared commitment to building a community in which everyone can thrive.
Peacebuilding Is Central to Rotary’s Work
Peacebuilding and conflict prevention is one of Rotary’s areas of focus. It is also closely connected with our work to address hunger, homelessness, access to clean water, education, health and environmental sustainability. Lasting peace depends upon people having the dignity, security and opportunity they need to build better lives.
District Governor Barbara Fisk is encouraging every club in District 7040 to explore planting a Peace Pole during this Rotary year. Whether placed in a park, school, community centre or another meaningful public space, a Peace Pole offers clubs an opportunity to bring people together, build local partnerships and create a lasting expression of Rotary’s commitment to peace.
Kingston’s newest landmark stands beside the waterfront as a lasting expression of Rotary’s commitment to peace.
All photographs by Haider Al Mossawy
Kingston’s newest landmark now stands beside the waterfront as both an invitation and a challenge: to cultivate peace through our thoughts, our words and, most importantly, our actions.
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