Rotary Peace Pole unveiled at St Anthony’s College-Oxford, United Kingdom.

March 9, 2026

The Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain (RCCPOS) unveiled a Rotary Peace Pole at St. Anthony’s College last Wednesday, reaffirming its commitment to peacebuilding, youth leadership and community unity.

The ceremony, held on the school’s compound on Morne Coco Road, Westmoorings, formed part of the official visit of Rotary District Governor Soraya Warner-Gustave. She was joined by Assistant Governor for Trinidad and Tobago North Veronica De Souza-Phillip, president Anne-Marie Lall, school administrators, Interactors of St Anthony’s College and club members.

The Rotary Peace Pole, inscribed with the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in multiple languages, stands as an internationally recognised symbol of humanity’s shared hope for harmony, tolerance and understanding.

Installed on the school compound, it will serve as a daily reminder to students and the wider community of their role in building a more peaceful world.

Addressing the gathering, Lall emphasised that the unveiling represented more than the installation of a monument. “Today, we are not simply unveiling a Peace Pole in the ground,” she said.

“We are planting a promise in our school, in our community and in our world.”

Lall noted that while violence often dominates global headlines, the Peace Pole is meant to make peace visible and intentional.

“We place this Peace Pole because of the wars. Violence is loud, but peace must be visible. When the world feels broken, someone must still stand up and say we believe in something better.”

The ceremony also reflected the spirit of International Women’s Day, recognising the role of female leadership within the school community. Lall commended the St Anthony’s College Interact Club’s young female president for her leadership in a traditionally male school and praised the school’s female teachers and administrators for the example they set for students.

“You show our young men that real leadership is respectful, inclusive and compassionate,” she said.

The Peace Pole was blessed by Father Black during the ceremony, symbolising a shared commitment across communities and beliefs to promote peace and unity.

Addressing the students, Lall reminded them that the monument carries a message for every young person who passes it.

“This Peace Pole stands here to tell every student: you matter, your voice matters and your choices matter.”

The Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain also expressed gratitude to the administration and students of St Anthony’s College for embracing the initiative and reaffirmed its commitment to projects that empower youth and strengthen communities across T&T.