Centuries of opposition against a centralised religious structure in Christendom led to the Reformation, which saw the independent emergence of a number of pacifist groups, amongst which were the Brethren in Moravia, the Mennonites in the Netherlands, the Amish in the Swiss cantons and the Anabaptists in German-speaking principalities.

In England, a number of disparate groups of religious dissidents came to the fore, including "Levellers," "Puritans," "Ranters" and "Seekers" A century of religious ferment and political conflict in England led to the Englaish Civil War, the establishment of the Commonwealth and the beheading of King Charles I. Quakers' gifted leadership, starting with George Fox, "The Valiant Sixty" and later Margaret Fell, Isaac Penington, William Penn, and Robert Barclay among others, provided a level of commitment and balanced faith and practice that became admirably albeit often grudgingly recognized.

The integrity and consistency of early Friends' witness and testimonies are a hallmark of what has become known as "The Religious Society of Friends" and which has grown and expanded to this day without changing course. Recognition of "that of the Divine" with each person," the basic equality of all people, acceptance of full responsibility for our own behaviour and actions, a commitment peaceful resolution of conflict and to non-violent opposition to tyranny, embracement of plain speech and living, opposition to the taking of oaths and of other practices that would separate people by rank or social station have changed little in the 360 years of Quaker presence.

"The Seekers of Truth" as Quakers initially called themselves, are dated from 1652 after "a great gathering at Pendle Hill" heard George Fox articulate what so many felt about the lack of defined value of the accepted religions of the day. Many Seekers embraced his message and began their own activist ministries that took many forms but which resulted in the emergence of a most actively pacifist group that become known as the Religious Society of Friends, the Quakers.

Believing that there was that of the Divine in each person, and that it was incumbent upon each to seek that Inner Light as their own personal revelation of Truth, the first Quaker Witness and Testimonies of equality of all and against the taking of life for any reason. Since all life was sacrosanct, whether high-born or low, old or young, male or female, old or young, from the most able to the least capable, violence by one against another was an abomination to be avoided and utterly rejected by civilised society.

Quakers were not alone in their unique beliefs, and Seekers of all persuasions abounded in the period that attended the Restoration in the 1660s. King Charles II, having so many dissident forces in his domain, soon recognised a grudging tolerance of Quakers was preferable to outright opposition to the Quakers. Their fervent religious and personal commitment to soon led Friends to be identified as people of extraordinary personal integrity, which resulted in the emergence of a most successful Quaker commercial and business class of no mean prosperity.

Thus the pacifist movement gained an additional measure of acceptance because of the demonstrated integrity and character of many who were attracted to Quaker principles. This included leading families of the era, including the Penns, Barclays, Coutts and others.

What is most remarkable about the Quaker movement is that in the ensuing 350 years, Quakers have not only remained unusually stable in their belief structure but also have continued to provide ongoing Witness to peaceful resolution of conflict. That commitment and attendant actions led to a unanimous vote awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to the Quakers in 1947 for the action programs of the Friends Service Council, UK and the American Friends Service Committee during and after the Second World War in Europe.

Thus was recognised and given voice the unique opportunity for the Quakers, with centuries of experience and unwavering commitment to peace, to being invited each year to nominate other worthy persons and organisations to be considered for recognition by the Nobel Peace Committee.

I respectfully request that the American Friends Service Committee thoughtfully consider nominating Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation for recognition by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee for the reasons outlined in the accompanying letter. As I now in my 34rd year as an active member and leader of Rotary, and as an active participant in the humanitarian works of many Rotary clubs as well as of projects partially funded by the Rotary Foundation, I have had the privilege of working side by side with Rotarians from every continent in many areas of endeavor over the past three decades.

And although I personally specialise in eye care projects, and have seen just how my efforts are magnified by the commitment and involvement of other often more capable Rotarians, I am all but overwhelmed by what those working under the banner of Rotary are able to accomplish in a wide variety of humanitarian ventures.

The leverage we have as Rotarians from our virtually limitless broad base of member skills and resources is without peer in the world. We all serve equally without any compensation whatsoever, and we cross all lines of difference between us with good will and common purpose: to help those in need.

I am humbled by the astonishing variety as well as the sheer number of humanitarian, educational and other community service projects undertaken by Rotarians, and of the huge value of the effort – not to mention the cost – involved in completing the good works of Rotarians. To the best of my knowledge, there never has been any attempt to quantify the number of Rotary Projects, but it must be in the hundreds of thousands each year, as my own club undertakes a score or more different community service projects annually. And I once visited a club in Mumbai that provided me a list of their projects for that year..... there were seventy-six!

So if noone knows the total, it must be rather substantial, and probably would exceed the estimates of most.

There are numerous Quakers who have (and are) serving their communities and the world as distinguished Rotarians. Lynmar Brock of Philadelphia, PA, USA and Dr. William Cadwallader of Homer, NY, USA both are past Rotary International Directors. I am only one of many Quakers who have served as District Governor and based upon my three decades as a Rotarian, and I am convinced that many of my Rotarian friends and colleagues throughout the world are truly Quakers in spirit, whatever their religious background. In my humble opinion, they justly deserve to be associated with the organisation they so honorably represent as worthy of recognition as peace makers of the highest degree.