The Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain is proud to announce that Trinidad & Tobago’s Anika Plowden-Corentin has been selected as a 2026 Rotary Peace Fellow- a prestigious recognition awarded by The Rotary Foundation.
Anika Plowden-Corentin receives Paul Harris Fellow recognition from RCCPOS' former Foundation chair Anthony John-Baptiste.Selected from over 540 global applicants, Anika will complete the Professional Development Certificate in Peace and Development Studies at the Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, Turkey.
The peace fellowship equips proven leaders to develop sustainable solutions to conflict, inequality, and social injustice. Anika becomes only the second person in District 7030 history to be selected for a Rotary Peace Center—an achievement that elevates our district’s voice in the global movement for peace and development.
Students from St Francois Girls' College in Trinidad and Tobago strike a pose with Anika (right) for a photo at the Panama Canal.
The three RCCPOS-sponsored young artists were part of the 2025 week-long art emersion programme in Panama.
District 7030 Peace Committee Chair, Charles Hossle, shared: “This achievement reflects not only Anika’s outstanding leadership but our District’s commitment to advancing peace. We are thrilled to support her journey."
About Anika and Her Work
An artist, cultural ambassador, and founder of Chosen Hands, Anika has dedicated her career to using creative expression as a tool for empowerment- particularly among vulnerable youth. Her visual storytelling work explores identity, resilience, and belonging, fostering dialogue and healing across communities from Trinidad & Tobago to Latin America and North America.
Children from the All In One School in East Port of Spain participated in an art workshop led by Chosen Hands.
Two students’ pieces were selected for the 2023 RCCPOS Beauty of Beetham Calendar.
America and North America
Reflecting on her selection, Anika stated: “I am deeply honoured. This fellowship represents more than an academic journey- it is an opportunity to deepen my commitment to transforming lives through art, creativity, empathy, and social innovation.
Reflecting on her selection, Anika stated: “I am deeply honoured. This fellowship represents more than an academic journey- it is an opportunity to deepen my commitment to transforming lives through art, creativity, empathy, and social innovation.
The Social Change Initiative: Art for Peace Capacity Building Programme
Upon her return in May 2026, Anika will implement the pilot of Art for Peace, a national training and mentorship programme that will bring together young artists, students, youth leaders and community partners to explore how creative expression can address violence, promote nonviolence, and
strengthen community belonging.
Upon her return in May 2026, Anika will implement the pilot of Art for Peace, a national training and mentorship programme that will bring together young artists, students, youth leaders and community partners to explore how creative expression can address violence, promote nonviolence, and
strengthen community belonging.
This initiative responds directly to the urgent challenge of youth violence in Trinidad & Tobago, where young men are disproportionately represented in violent crime statistics. Instead of labelling young people as “problems", Chosen Hands works with them as co-creators of solutions, empowering them to design and lead projects that bring healing, dialogue, and hope to their communities. Anika said, “Peace is active. It requires empathy, justice, and shared humanity. Through art, we can help young people tell their own stories and reshape the narratives that define them."
The TRINITICA International and Chosen Hands Art Immersion Programme, Panama 2025, St. Francois Girls' College students, and RCCPOS President Annie (front right) meets the Ambassador for Panama, Diomedes Heraclio Carles Cleghorn.
A Call to Rotary Clubs Across the Caribbean
The Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain will serve as a partner during the pilot phase of the Art for Peace initiative beginning May 2026. We invite Rotary Clubs across Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean to join us in mentorship, collaboration, and financial sponsorship—to ensure this programme reaches communities where it is most needed.
Ways Clubs Can Support:
- Sponsor youth participation in the Art for Peace programme
- Host workshops in your community
- Partner in awareness, networking, and programme sustainability
- Offer moral support, mentoring, and strategic collaboration
This is an opportunity for Rotary to invest in peace-building at home- in a way that is hands-on, meaningful, and sustainable.
Celebrating Leadership in Peacebuilding
RCCPOS President Anne-Marie Lall noted: “Anika’s selection reminds us that peace can begin with a paintbrush, a safe space, and the courage to tell our stories. We are proud to stand with her as she continues to inspire change both locally and globally.