Submitted photo From left, Elkins Rotarians Scott Goddard and Sid Gillispie, Presbyterian Church USA’s International Peacemakers Program participant Dumitru Roibu and Elkins Rotarian Hoy Ferguson.

ELKINS — Presbyterian Church USA’s International Peacemakers Program participant Dumitru Roibu recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Elkins.

The Peacemakers Program brings together leaders from partner denominations and organizations around the world to interpret issues of peace and justice. The peacemakers endeavor to bring understanding of peace and justice concerns around the world and work to inspire greater faithfulness. Since 1984, more than 350 Peacemakers from 60 countries have been hosted through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, with several having been hosted by Davis & Elkins College.

Roibu is the executive president of YMCA Moldova. Moldova was a part of the former Soviet Union and gained independence in 1991. He has served as World YMCA Youth Empowerment assistant and YMCA Change Agent, which are global leadership programs. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Roibu has been involved in supporting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. YMCA Moldova has created more than 320 Digital Education Centers, providing assistance to more than 14,000 refugees. “It was my pleasure to attend the Rotary Club of Elkins,” said Roibu. “It was an honor to learn of the Club’s community service and to share some thoughts about what the YMCA Moldova is doing. I was surprised to see such a well-organized, large facility in such a small community! I enjoyed meeting CEO Sid Gillispie and getting to walk through the city together to learn more about the local community.”

In 2013, Roibu founded a rural youth non-governmental organization (NGO) which supports cultural youth events such as folk dances. Since its inception, this NGO has helped over 150 young people from the area to take part in Erasmus+, a European Union program for education, training, youth and sport.

Roibu holds a master’s degree in Diplomatic Studies and is currently working on his PhD in Good Governance at the University of European Political and Economic Studies.

Roibu recently visited the Davis & Elkins College campus, participating in several classes including College 101 for all incoming freshmen, Comparative Religious Ethics, Interpersonal Communication, Public Speaking, and Violence & the Sacred, holding discussions with students regarding his work and their courses of study. Roibu also taught a Moldovan Folk Dance workshop at The Arts Center, participated in worship services at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church, and met with a group of local pastors. He was especially interested in touring the Elkins YMCA.

Following his visit to Elkins, Roibu will make stops in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Utah, Nebraska, Texas, and Kentucky before returning to his hometown of Tohatin, Chisinau in Moldova. More information about the Presbyterian Church USA’s International Peacemakers Program can be found at www.presbyterianmissions.org. Roibu shared, “I deeply appreciate the efforts of the Presbyterian Church USA to promote peace and the stories of peoples with different experiences around the globe. I’m grateful for the chance to build new relationships and contacts between Americans and Moldovans.”

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club’s Facebook page — Rotary Club of Elkins — or contact club president Tammie Rizzio at tammierizzio@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.