While the world hopes for peace, Rotary works to make it a reality. CPT Michael Niemiec has been named as one of 100 Rotary Peace Fellows to study peace building and conflict resolution. The program was created as part of Rotary’s ongoing effort to promote greater tolerance and cooperation among people worldwide. Niemiec will attend the University of Bradford in Bradford, United Kingdom, one of six Rotary Peace Centers. He will obtain a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Politics and Security Studies. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in Arabic, Spanish, and Terrorism Studies.
After completing the Army’s Airborne and Ranger Schools, Niemiec was stationed with the Second Calvary Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, a unit that trains with NATO allies across Europe. As an infantry platoon leader during the unit’s 2013 Afghanistan deployment, he worked with local police and military forces to increase security in southern Afghanistan. Through the Rotary Peace Fellowship, CPT Niemiec hopes to gain new perspectives on how stability can be restored to areas torn by terrorism and war, and use that knowledge throughout his Army career to help further the cause of peace.
Nearly 1,000 Rotary Peace Fellow alumni are now working in high-level positions at prestigious organizations such as the United Nations, the European Parliament, Interpol, USAid, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Organization of American States. Read More