International
Rotarians’ commitment to “international understanding and peace” is what distinguishes Rotary from all other service clubs. Cliff Dochterman, a recent RI president updated MacRae’s Fourth Object by explaining how Rotarians promote peace. Dochterman wrote:“It is the conviction of Rotary International that the lasting peace which the world seeks is built on friendship, tolerance, and goodwill among people. Our instruments of peace are food, education, health care, environmental improvements, respect for all persons, and many other activities we call humanitarian service.”And so the Fourth Object was to become the engine that drives Rotary’s international service; it has become the watchword of the Rotary Foundation. All the marvelous international service programs in which we participate can be traced to the Fourth Object – Youth Exchange, Group Study Exchange, World Community Service projects, Scholarships, Health Hunger and Humanity projects, Matching Grants, Peace Forums, and the magnificent Polioplus program.