Rotary Sri Lanka celebrates 23rd Rotary Conference in grandeur

Friday, 14 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

This year’s theme: ‘Be the change you wish to see’

Rotary takes pride in celebrating its 23rd Rotary conference in Sri Lanka. This event will bring together 1700 Rotarians from across Sri Lanka and the Maldives providing a unique networking opportunity with fellow Rotarians who share the passion to serve their communities. This year the conference is launched under the theme ‘Be the change you wish to see’ keeping in line with the District theme of ‘Engage Rotary Change Lives’ under the leadership of District Governor Imran Hassen. “We as Rotarians are committed to help the needy and this conference will provide a good

forum for all Rotarians across the country to network and share ideas to motivate and inspire all in carrying out the mission of Rotary,” said Hassen. A colourful opening ceremony is due to be held on 21 February at the BMICH under the patronage of Rotary international representative Past District Governor from India R. Rajaram and Rotary International President elect for 2015/16, K.R. Ravindran. Ravindran will be the first Sri Lankan to head this prestigious international service organisation and the 10th Asian to hold this prestigious office in the 108-year history of the organisation. Technical Sessions will follow on the second day of the program at the Kingsbury Hotel and will touch on important and timely topics related to conflict and peace such as ‘World Understanding and everlasting peace’, ‘The role of Non State Actors in community development’ and ‘The need for effective Corporate Social Responsibility’. These topics would be discussed by eminent personalities who are business leaders, political leaders and diplomats including the German Ambassador, High Commissioner for UK and the Sri Lankan Ambassador for the European Union/India. Make proactive action plans Conference Chairman Rezvan Rasheed noted, “Our objective is to make this conference a very effective program which provides a forum for business leaders, political representatives, Rotarians as well as diplomats to discuss and make proactive action plans to sustain the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government in achieving peace and conflict resolution. This conference will also enable local Rotarians to gain insight and actively participate in strategic planning of Rotary International.” The Rotary network connects 1.2 million members across over 200 countries internationally. With a 99% reduction in polio cases worldwide since 1985, Rotary has made tremendous progress in eliminating Polio from the world, being the second biggest human disease in the history after smallpox. In 1988, Rotary spearheaded the creation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative with its partners the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. To date, Rotary has contributed over US$ 1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to help immunise over two billion children against polio in 122 countries. Currently, Rotary is working to raise US$ 35 million per year through 2018 for polio eradication, which will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to become Polio free with a funding of over USD 2.5 million from the Rotary network. Rotary Sri Lanka also takes pride in rebuilding 23 Tsunami affected Government schools across Sri Lanka, at a cost of over Rs. 1.0 billion, being the single largest project undertaken by a single Rotary District in its history.