District 7080 Conference Oct 2026 "Peace Begins With You"

Peace Begins With You

Saturday, October 3, 2026
Canadian Convention Centre, Brampton - Doors open at 8 AM.

This promises to be one of our most engaging and inspiring District Conferences yet, bringing together Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, community leaders, professionals, and guests from across Ontario and beyond to explore how each of us can be a catalyst for peace in our communities and around the world.

Highlights include:

  • A special performance by Diego Carneiro, internationally acclaimed Brazilian cellist and Peace Ambassador
  • Inspiring Canadian and international keynote speakers
  • The official unveiling of a Rotary Peace Pole, symbolizing our shared commitment to peace
  • A vibrant House of Friendship showcasing Rotary projects, community organizations, and service initiatives
  • Great entertainment, fellowship, and networking with Rotary leaders and community partners from across Ontario and beyond

Featured Panel Discussions

Peace Through Health: Ending Polio, Building Stronger Communities

Explore how Rotary's global fight against polio continues to strengthen healthcare systems, improve communities, and advance peace around the world. Moderator: PDG Sandhya Maini.

The Future of Peace: Leadership in an Uncertain World

A timely discussion on the role of diplomacy, leadership, business, and service in creating a more peaceful and resilient future. Moderator: Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Hear from an Outstanding Line-up of Speakers and Panelists

We're honoured to welcome distinguished Rotary and community leaders, including:

  • Marty Helman – Rotary International Director, Zones 28 & 32
  • Valarie Wafer – Chair, Rotary International PolioPlus Committee
  • Dr. Shirley-Pat Gale, PhD – Peacebuilding and Literacy Advocate Ron Denham – Founder, WASH Rotary Action Group (WASHRAG)
  • Berry Vrbanovic – Mayor of Kitchener
  • Margaux McDonald – Canadian Senior Trade Commissioner, Chicago

Plus, a special presentation by:

Shannon Carter - Rotary Peace Fellow and former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, sharing powerful insights on peacebuilding through service and international cooperation.

 

 

DISTRICT GOVERNOR OPENING REMARKS - ROTARY DISTRICT 7080
CONFERENCE – October 3, 2026


Good morning, Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Youth Exchange students, distinguished guests, partners in service, friends, and family. It is my great pleasure, and indeed my privilege, to welcome you to the 2026 Rotary District 7080 Conference here in Brampton.


Today, we gather around a simple yet profound truth: Peace Begins With You.


As we look across our world today, we see conflict, uncertainty, division, and challenges that test our collective humanity. Yet Rotary has always believed that peace is not merely the absence of war. Peace is the presence of understanding. Peace is the presence of opportunity. Peace is the presence of dignity, health, education, clean water, economic empowerment, and inclusion.


That is why peace occupies a unique place within Rotary. It is one of our seven Areas of Focus, but in many ways, it is also the outcome of all the others. When we provide clean water and sanitation, we reduce conflict over scarce resources. When we support maternal and child health, we strengthen families and communities. When we promote basic education and literacy, we empower understanding over misinformation. When we grow local economies, we create hope where despair once existed. When we protect the environment, we preserve the resources that future generations depend upon. And when we eradicate disease, as we continue our historic fight against polio, we create healthier and more resilient societies.


In every one of these efforts, Rotary is building the foundations upon which lasting peace can stand.

As Rotarians, we bring a unique perspective to peacebuilding because of the very principle upon which Rotary was founded: the principle of classification. Rotary brings together leaders and professionals from every sector of society. We understand that solving complex challenges requires diverse knowledge, different experiences, and collaborative action.


Indeed, Rotary's legacy in peacebuilding is long and significant. Rotarians played an important role in helping shape the conversations that led to the creation of the United Nations Charter in 1945. That legacy reminds us that peace is not created by governments alone. Peace is built when citizens, communities, professionals, and service organizations come together with a shared purpose.


Knowledge matters. Understanding matters. Dialogue matters. Peace is not something we simply wish for. Peace is something we learn, cultivate, practice, and teach.


That is why Rotary has invested so heavily in developing peace leaders. Through our Rotary Peace Centres, Rotary Peace Fellowships, Youth Exchange, Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, and countless youth leadership initiatives, we are intentionally developing the next generation of global citizens. Every one of these programs helps young people understand cultures beyond their own, embrace diversity, build friendships across borders, and develop the skills needed to resolve conflict and foster understanding. Through Interact, RYLA, Rotaract, and Youth Exchange, Rotary empowers young people to develop leadership, confidence, cultural understanding, and a commitment to service. By connecting young people across communities and borders, Rotary helps build peace - one young person at a time.


Today, we have an extraordinary program that will allow us to explore these themes from many perspectives. We will hear from numerous speakers, including our Keynote Speaker, Rotary
Peace Fellow and internationally renowned musician Diego Carneiro, who embodies the use of culture, dialogue, and the arts as instruments of peacebuilding.


We will engage in two exceptional panel discussions. Our first panel will demonstrate how health interventions create stability, resilience, and peace in communities around the world. Our second panel will bring together respected leaders from diplomacy, government, business, and public service to explore how leadership can help navigate today's increasingly complex global landscape.


Throughout the day, please take time to visit our House of Friendship, where clubs, partners, and organizations will showcase the incredible impact Rotary is making across our district and around the world. Take advantage of the many opportunities for fellowship and networking.


Today is about learning. Today is about connecting. Today is about inspiration. But most importantly, today is about action. Throughout this Rotary year, our District 7080 call to action has been simple: Roll Up Your Sleeves!
 

Peace, Service and Community engagement requires action. Peace begins when we decide to listen, when we choose to serve, when we extend a hand to someone different from ourselves, and when we transform good intentions into meaningful impact. Rotary has never been an organization of spectators. We are People of Action. We do not simply talk about making the world better; we go out and do something about it!

So, as we begin this conference, I invite you to learn boldly, connect deeply, and leave here inspired to roll up your sleeves and continue building stronger communities, stronger relationships, and a more peaceful world.

To our conference committee, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, panelists, exhibitors, performers, and every individual who contributed to making this event possible, thank you! And to each of you who chose to spend your day with us today, thank you for your commitment to Rotary, to service, and to peace. Together, we create lasting impact. 

 

Together, we build stronger communities. Together, we make peace possible. Because peace does not begin somewhere else. Peace Begins With You.

UCHE OKUGO

District Governor 2026-2027 - District 7080