On September 22, 2026, the CNY Peace Team held its first Community Positive Peace Conversation in Saratoga Springs. Sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Public Library and the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs, the conversation brought together community members, Library Board members, Rotarians, and Skidmore College students to explore the Positive Peace pillar of Free Flow of Information.
The discussion centered around four powerful questions that touched on consumption, how information is obtained, how it is heard and kept accurate.
Positive Peace Conversations are not about debate or forcing agreement. They create space for curiosity, reflection, respectful dialogue, and deeper understanding. In a world where information moves quickly and often reaches us through very different channels, the ability to listen beyond our own experiences and assumptions is more important than ever.
This first community conversation was an important step for the CNY Peace Team as we work to bring Positive Peace principles beyond Rotary meetings and into the broader community. One attendee said 'I had no idea Rotary did work like this, I think I need to learn more about Rotary', and that is truly a reward for the facilitators!
Sometimes peace begins with something simple:
asking a better question, listening a little longer, and being willing to understand before responding.
If your club or community organization is interested in hosting a Positive PeaceConversation, please reach out to the CNY Peace Team at cnypeaceteam@cnyrotary.org
