What is Rotary ? (7 / 7)

• Rotary International and Other Organizations
• Rotary's History with the United Nations and Intergovernmental Organizations
• Rotary International Representative System

Rotary International and Other Organizations

Throughout its history, Rotary International has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian organizations as well as the government agencies of various nations in its efforts to improve the human condition. An excellent example of what these partnerships can accomplish can be found in Rotary's ambitious PolioPlus program. Launched in 1985 in concert with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and UNICEF, the RI program's goal is to immunize every child in the world against polio, striving for a polio-free world, with certification in 2005. By 2005, RI will have committed nearly a half-billion US dollars to the effort and set forth millions of volunteers to assist in vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and logistical help at the local, national, regional, and international levels.

Rotary's History with the United Nations and Intergovernmental Organizations

Rotary has had a special relationship with the United Nations for more than a half century. At the 1945 UN Charter Conference in San Francisco, California, USA, nearly 50 Rotarians served as delegates, advisors, and consultants. And the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), established one year later, can trace its roots to a Rotary conference promoting international cultural and educational exchanges that was held in London in 1943. In 1946, the same year UNESCO came into existence, RI was granted non-governmental organization (NGO) consultative status with the UN and UNESCO. Today, there are a growing number of projects implemented in collaboration with UN agencies around the world. Working with UNAIDS, Rotary clubs promote AIDS awareness and prevention. Venezuelan Rotary clubs are working with FAO field staff to increase vegetable and poultry production. Nigerian Rotary clubs are working with the UN Population Fund to expand a maternal education and child spacing program. In Poland, the UN Development Program helped the Rotary clubs of Warsaw and Duluth, Minnesota, USA, create a joint business internship program.

Increasing levels of participation and inter-organizational collaboration inspired the creation of Rotary's Representative System in 1984, when Rotary International Representatives were appointed by Rotary's president to the UN offices in New York, Geneva, and Vienna. In 1995, RI made its first overture to an organization outside the UN system when it obtained consultative status with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and broke new ground when, in 1997, Rotary became the first non-African NGO to establish official liaison with the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

Rotary International Representative System

Rotary Representatives are appointed by the RI president to increase awareness and recognition of Rotary's programs, policies, and activities within the international community. RI Representatives, based in major cities around the world, monitor major events and meetings, exchanging information and acting as liaisons. Representatives are occasionally appointed by Rotary to participate in a special conference or mission. For example, Rotary recently sent a delegation of senior leaders to Russia to find solutions to the challenges that prevent the timely delivery of humanitarian goods and services.

Currently, RI Representatives are appointed to:

• The United Nations
• UNESCO
• Council of Europe
• Organization of African Unity
• UNCHS/Habitat and UN Environmental Programme
• UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme
• The World Bank
• Organization of American States

Representatives often take proactive roles in events that are related to Rotary activities or program emphases. In the past two years, Rotary has presented examples of its humanitarian work at numerous events.

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