Rotary concludes international convention in Lisbon
Posted by Gregory Hill
LISBON, Portugal (27 June 2013) — Rotary's annual meeting held at Lisbon´s Pavilhão Atlântico and Feira Internacional de Lisboa on Wednesday, 26 June concluded with new funding to end polio, several humanitarian projects showcased and plenary speeches that inspired the more than 20,000 member attendees from around the world.
LISBON, Portugal (27 June 2013) — Rotary's annual meeting held at Lisbon´s Pavilhão Atlântico and Feira Internacional de Lisboa on Wednesday, 26 June concluded with new funding to end polio, several humanitarian projects showcased and plenary speeches that inspired the more than 20,000 member attendees from around the world.
In support of ending polio worldwide – Rotary's top philanthropic goal – Rotaryand thehttp://www.gatesfoundation.org/ announced that they will extend their partnership during the critical endgame phase of the http://www.polioeradication.org/. The Gates Foundation will match 2 for 1 every dollar Rotary commits up to US$35 million (EUR 26,691,100) to polio eradication through 2018.Jeff Raikes, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the foundation's expanded partnership with Rotary via video message.
"We will combine the strength of Rotary's network with our resources, and together with the other partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), we will not just end a disease but change the face of public health forever," said Raikes.
Other highlights for polio eradication included:
• An announcement of US$1 million (EUR 762,602) donation to polio eradication from Rotarian and philanthropist Sir Emeka Offor, Group Executive Vice-Chairman of The Chrome Group in Nigeria.
• A speech by Emmy-award winning actress Archie Panjabi, who recently joined Rotary's "This Close" public awareness campaign for polio eradication.
During his welcome remarks at the opening plenary session on June 23, Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka emphasized his year-long theme of "Peace through Service" and how he has witnessed Rotary members build peace.
"Here in Lisbon, at this Rotary convention, we have the chance to experience the world as it could be: with people from every continent united to make their world a better place," he said. "Here, we see how little our differences matter. Here, we focus on what is truly important: what we can do to help others live better and happier lives."
Other keynote speakers who echoed President Tanaka´s sentiments of peace included Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a UN Messenger of Peace, and one of Rotary's "This Close" polio ambassadors; Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate responsible for leading a women's peace movement that brought an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003; and Emmanuel Jal, a former Sudanese child soldier, social justice advocate, and entertainer.
The convention was called to order by 2012-2013 Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka, a retired businessman from Japan. On July 1, he will be succeeded by Ron D. Burton, former president of the University of Oklahoma Foundation, who will hold the 2014 Convention in Sydney, Australia.
In support of ending polio worldwide – Rotary's top philanthropic goal – Rotaryand thehttp://www.gatesfoundation.org/ announced that they will extend their partnership during the critical endgame phase of the http://www.polioeradication.org/. The Gates Foundation will match 2 for 1 every dollar Rotary commits up to US$35 million (EUR 26,691,100) to polio eradication through 2018.Jeff Raikes, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the foundation's expanded partnership with Rotary via video message.
"We will combine the strength of Rotary's network with our resources, and together with the other partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), we will not just end a disease but change the face of public health forever," said Raikes.
Other highlights for polio eradication included:
• An announcement of US$1 million (EUR 762,602) donation to polio eradication from Rotarian and philanthropist Sir Emeka Offor, Group Executive Vice-Chairman of The Chrome Group in Nigeria.
• A speech by Emmy-award winning actress Archie Panjabi, who recently joined Rotary's "This Close" public awareness campaign for polio eradication.
During his welcome remarks at the opening plenary session on June 23, Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka emphasized his year-long theme of "Peace through Service" and how he has witnessed Rotary members build peace.
"Here in Lisbon, at this Rotary convention, we have the chance to experience the world as it could be: with people from every continent united to make their world a better place," he said. "Here, we see how little our differences matter. Here, we focus on what is truly important: what we can do to help others live better and happier lives."
Other keynote speakers who echoed President Tanaka´s sentiments of peace included Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a UN Messenger of Peace, and one of Rotary's "This Close" polio ambassadors; Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate responsible for leading a women's peace movement that brought an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003; and Emmanuel Jal, a former Sudanese child soldier, social justice advocate, and entertainer.
The convention was called to order by 2012-2013 Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka, a retired businessman from Japan. On July 1, he will be succeeded by Ron D. Burton, former president of the University of Oklahoma Foundation, who will hold the 2014 Convention in Sydney, Australia.