Submitted By: Bob McLean, District Governor- NomineeInspiration AROUND EVERY CORNER…
Canada’s own Justin Trudeau, Former First Lady Laura Bush, The first woman Prime Minister of New Zealand (and UN Development Administrator) Helen Clark, the Princess Royal Anne, Haiti’s Prime Minister Dr Jack Guy Lafontant… these were just some of the “headliner” speakers that addressed a gathering of 24,000 Rotarians from around the world at this year’s Rotary International Convention in Toronto.
Inspiration was a wonderfully appropriate theme for an outstanding week in this cosmopolitan city. It was also a week that reaffirmed for me a clear sense of HOPE for a better world. Those final steps for eradicating POLIO, once and for all, were highlighted AND you could feel Rotary is ready to fully embrace its Six Areas of Focus with WaSH (Water and Sanitation/Hygiene) and PEACE initiatives at the forefront of Rotary’s work. With so many challenges and disasters that we hear and read about from around the world, this conference demonstrated that Rotarians are truly “People of ACTION!”
This learning adventure started two days before the convention with the annual WASRAG (Water And Sanitation/Hygiene Rotary Action Group). The day was packed with exceptional keynote speeches and significant breakouts. We heard from Peter Lochery, Senior Fellow from CARE. Bud Rock, Principal of Global Water 2020, Chris Dunston from Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Silvia Gaya, Senior Advisor to WASH – UNICEF and outstanding remarks by RI President-Elect Barry Rassin.
One of the most compelling stories was shared on a panel by Dr Alberto Paniz from Venezuela. This young physician, capable of going anywhere in the world, displayed exceptional commitment for his people while witnessing the government and economy falling deeper into dysfunction. Yet, he won’t allow himself to give up on the young heros he has mentored, those who are trying to make Venezuela a better place. This courage and personal sacrifice rang true with so many of the speakers throughout the week.
A favorite breakout session for me was with HANWASH – a team from WASRAG that is moving forward on an outstanding national pilot project for Haiti. Working with the Haitian government, HANWASH is mapping the entire country; identifying where WaSH projects are most critically needed. Rather than the usual, one-village-at-a-time process, the goal is to take a national/coordinated approach and bring sustainable WaSH services to every village in Haiti within the next 10 to 15 years. There are 4 communities that are the starting point for this initiative including one that D5580 is quite familiar with; Pignon. This project is getting attention at the highest levels of Rotary and was specifically referenced in the General Assembly. If successful, it could serve as a template for national projects across the globe.
The following day, I “popped into” the last portion of the Rotary Peacebuilding Summit. The first portion was at the same time as WASRAG. That was typical throughout the convention… you wanted to be in multiple locations at the same time… so many great programs!
The panel on Human Rights had three distinguished women, each with compelling stories. I was particularly struck by the comment of Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the first woman mayor of Gjakova, Kosovo. She made a comment that resonates strongly to the issues of today in our country and throughout the world: “No one wants to be a refugee!” She was out of the country, interviewing to become a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar no less, when the border with Kosovo was closed. She was locked out of her country, no way in, no way to contact family, isolated; a stranger in a strange land. One could only imagine what she experienced and what people this very day are experiencing as they struggle to outrun danger or return to a home that may not be there anymore. She did eventually become an ambassadorial scholar and her experience certainly has influenced what she has done with her life.
At the closing session of the Peacebuilding summit, I saw an exceptional presentation on factors that impact peace around the world. It was titled Measuring the State of Global Peacefulness, and presented by Michelle Breslauer, program director in the Americas for the Institute for Economics & Peace. The presentation highlighted the “Pillars of Positive Peace” which aligns beautifully with Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. The presentation drew distinctions between negative peace with the lowest ranked country being Syria and positive peace with the highest ranked country being Iceland. In addition to highlights and trends it was noted that the global economic impact of violence consumes 12% of our global GDP. Breslauer provided numerous examples of what could be accomplished if that could be reduced by just 1%. At the close of the presentation, Breslauer shared that they have hired two Rotary Peace Scholars and are interviewing a third; they know talent! The full report is available at visionofhumanity.org
Then… the RI convention began (:o). This is my third international convention and it is always a thrill to see the procession of flags of countries represented. Witnessing the peaceful presentation of over 160 flags, joined by 24,000 Rotarians from around the world, it does amplify the hope and optimism that we Rotarians can and do make a positive difference!Rotary’s impact was amplified strongly in the first General Assembly by fellow Rotarian Caryl Stern, President and CEO of UNICEF USA. He was gracious in his gratitude for Rotary’s Role in battling Polio and highlighted the amazing infrastructure that exists within Rotary to address other challenges like measles and water born disease.
That encouraging message, Rotary’s capacity to take action and make a positive impact, was consistent throughout the convention. From “outsiders” like the Director-General of the World Health Organization or the Director of Corporate Responsibility at Harvard Kennedy School to our own international leadership, they offered great insight into the needs that exist today and highlighted the collaborative work being done within Rotary and in partnership with organizations around the world to make a difference.
Another consistent and encouraging message throughout the convention was the emphasis on diversity and engagement with special deference to Rotaractors as well recognition of the critical leadership role by the Women of Rotary. At the pre-conference summits, much of the events were planned and led by women with great involvement by Rotaractors. It was similar in the breakout sessions and panel discussions; organizing AND participating.
RI President Ian Riesley, (from Australia) clearly wanted to make that point when he had a General Assembly interview with his “neighbor”, former New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark. He asked Clark (paraphrase): “What do you think about the lack of women on the RI Board of Directors?” There was laughter among the 24,000 Rotarians in attendance but the message seemed very clear, Riesley (and Clark) know it is high time for greater representation of Rotarians at every level; especially at the top. The comments seemed well received.
For anyone who has not attended a RI Convention, the culmination of Rotary’s capacity to foster relationships and engage organizations, worldwide, is demonstrated in the wonderfully overwhelming House of Friendship. That is where people gather to meet and greet with hundreds of different Rotary Action Groups, Special projects, NGOS, and the like. If your club was looking for an international project or partner, you would be challenged to narrow down the amazing variety of opportunities to just a few. It is a fantastic place to see and hear firsthand all that Rotarians are involved in.
And speaking of friendships… there were so many friends from District 5580 attending this international convention. We enjoyed numerous occasions to gather together; a photo bomb in front of Air Canada (home of the Maple Leafs), a Zone gathering at the “other” Hockey Hall of Fame – not the one in Eveleth. Dining with our friends from Guatemala D4250, DG Julio Grazioso and team, as well as dinner with folks from the Central States Youth Exchange.
It is difficult to do a RI Convention justice with a single article. I trust others from D5580 who attended will be posting their stories on their club Facebook, website, etc. When you learn of someone having attended the RI convention – INVITE THEM to tell their story at your club! It is bound to be inspirational and may encourage you or someone from your club to make the trip!
For me the RI Convention in Toronto was an inspiration, an adventure, a journey towards a more understanding and peaceful world. All of the presentations along with hundreds of photos are available on the RI Websites: https://www.riconvention.org/en or
And remember, next year is Hamburg – June 1 to 5!!! https://www.riconvention.org/en/hamburg