Peace Christmas Tree Initiative
An international peace initiative hosted by Kankaanpään Rotaryklubi, Finland
Peace can travel from one community to another in a letter, a greeting, a poem — or a small Christmas ornament.
Kankaanpään Rotaryklubi invites Rotary clubs around the world to take part in the Peace Christmas Tree Initiative. The idea is simple: each participating club sends a tangible expression of peace to Kankaanpää, Finland. Together, these messages and symbols will form an international collection of goodwill, friendship and hope during the Christmas season. The letters and ornaments will be used for decoration of the public Christmas tree in Kankaanpää by the Town Library.
Purpose of the initiative
The initiative is designed to connect Rotary clubs across borders through personal, local and creative expressions of peace. Every contribution tells a small story about the people and community behind it. When these stories are brought together, they demonstrate how peace can be built through understanding, friendship and genuine interest in one another.
The concept supports Rotary’s long-standing commitment to advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace. Rotary International identifies promoting peace as one of its principal areas of focus and emphasizes that local peacebuilding can have a global effect.
Invitation to Rotary clubs worldwide
We warmly invite Rotary clubs in every part of the world to participate. Your club’s contribution does not need to be elaborate or expensive. What matters is that it represents your community and conveys a sincere message of peace.
What to send
- An expression of peace
Send a peace message created by your club. It may be a letter, Christmas or seasonal greeting, poem, short story, drawing, quotation, photograph, or another creative expression. Contributions from local schools, young people, Interact or Rotaract members may also be included. - A glimpse of your home region
We would be delighted to learn about the place your club calls home. You may include a short introduction to your town, city, region or country, a tourism brochure or postcard, or links/QR codes to local tourism information, cultural attractions and other material that helps recipients discover your community. - A Christmas ornament or local symbol
If possible, include one small Christmas tree ornament. It could reflect your country, local traditions, your club’s area or simply the theme of peace. Handmade ornaments are especially welcome, but any lightweight and suitable decoration is appreciated.
The Peace Christmas Tree
The contributions received from participating clubs will become part of the Peace Christmas Tree project in Kankaanpää. Messages, greetings and ornaments will symbolize the many communities that share the same wish: a more peaceful world. The initiative can also create new connections between clubs and open doors for future friendship, exchanges and international cooperation.
Suggested contribution package
| Include | Examples |
| Peace expression | Letter, greeting, poem, drawing, story or photograph |
| Local introduction | Short description of your club, community and country |
| Discover your region | Tourism links, QR codes, postcard or brochure |
| Christmas ornament | A small decoration representing peace or your local identity |
| Club details | Club name, city, country and contact person |
A message from Kankaanpään Rotaryklubi
“Through one message, one ornament and one connection at a time, we can make peace visible and strengthen friendship between communities around the world.”
We hope the Peace Christmas Tree will grow through the participation of Rotary clubs from many countries and cultures. Every contribution will add a unique voice to a shared international message: peace begins with people meeting, listening, learning and reaching out to one another.
Join the Peace Christmas Tree Initiative
We invite your Rotary club to become part of this international Christmas message of peace. Prepare your club’s contribution, tell us something about your community, and send a small ornament that can become part of the Peace Christmas Tree.
Join the initiative — and let your community’s message of peace become part of a worldwide story.
Practical information
Organizer: Kankaanpään Rotaryklubi, Finland
Project: Peace Christmas Tree Initiative
Address for the letters: President Krista Antila Ruhkatie 79, 38750 Veneskoski FINLAND
Timing: Send the messages as soon as possible at latest November 20th, 2026
E-mail for information: krista.antila@provisolink.com
More information will be set on our clubs website: https://rotary.fi/kankaanpaa/
and Facebook “Kankaanpään Rotaryklubi” Instagram Rotary Club Kankaanpää
Contribution: Peace message + information about your region + optional Christmas ornament
Postal address, contact person, email address and the requested arrival date can be added here before the invitation is distributed internationally.
About Rotary and peace
Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million members, with clubs in nearly every country. Its mission includes advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace. Rotary’s peacebuilding work includes peace education, conflict prevention and resolution, international relationships and Rotary Peace Centers.
Reference
Rotary International — Promoting Peace: rotary.org/en/our-work/promoting-peace
Rotary International — Who We Are: rotary.org/who-we-are
