Promoting Peace
Rotary and its members have a long history of promoting peace and working to address the underlying causes of conflict in communities around the world. Peacebuilding is one of the cornerstones of our mission as a humanitarian service organization. That became more visible in Howard County when the Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent installed a Peace Pole at the Heroes Grove at Howard County Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in languages spoken in the locale where it’s placed. The message was authored by the late Masahisa Goi of Japan after the World War Two bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It’s now an international message with over 250,000 Peace Poles dedicated in every country in the world.
“What does peace mean to us? Peace is more than just the absence of conflict. It is a state of harmony — within ourselves, within our communities, and with the world around us,” said Columbia-Patuxent president Karen Mosel. “Peace means respect, understanding, and compassion. It means working together to overcome differences, to build bridges rather than walls, and to create a future where everyone can thrive safely and with dignity.
“This Peace Pole stands not only as a physical marker but also as a beacon of hope for Howard County. It represents our commitment to these ideals — a daily reminder that peace begins with each of us. When we pass by this pole, may we be inspired to foster kindness, to engage in respectful dialogue, and to act with empathy in our everyday lives. Let it remind us all to work tirelessly toward a more peaceful, just, and inclusive society — right here at home in Howard County and beyond.”
Rotary estimates more than 70 million people - half of them children - are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Peace Poles are intended to foster unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The local installation ceremony was attended by County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Economic Development Authority CEO Jennifer Jones, Kirsten Baier of Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Foundation, and many Rotary club members.
