Today, we all face continuing challenges caused by the pandemic.
Now, about COVID, we are people of action: people who create lasting change. Equipped with the resources of the Foundation, we can make a difference in thousands of communities throughout the world.
Our efforts include, but no limited to:
o         Ensuring the equitable distribution of vaccines
o         Combating vaccine misinformation; and
o         Slow down the spread of COVID-19
So far, over $46 million dollars for global grants have been used in the fight against COVID-19.
Our Rotaractors are growing up in the digital era, and we must utilise their talents in finding new ways to connect despite the constraint of social isolation.”
We know that by 30 June, 2021, our Foundation has raised and invested more than $5.5 billion for programmes that have lasting effects in our communities.
They empower Rotary members to continue promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies all over the world.
Pakistan Rotarian Aziz Memon is well respected for the tireless work spearheading his country’s efforts against polio.
This past Rotary year, we set an ambitious fundraising goal of $410 million dollars. Rotarians rallied together and helped the Foundation surpass the goal and raised over $440.9 million.
These funds have boosted our efforts to eradicate polio, empower peacebuilders from around the world, and support member-led project implementation across our areas of focus through district and global grants.
Thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and friends of our Foundation, we awarded more than $143 million towards global grants in 2020-21. Grants for polio eradication totalled $152.9 million.
The most important thing that Rotary members can do to continue the fight to end polio is to sustain our commitment towards polio eradication and this year, we are aiming high with the Building TRF Endowment: 2025 by 2025 initiative to build an endowment of 2.025 billion dollars by the year 2025. —while also supporting COVID-19 response activities.
In Rotary, we serve to Change Lives. And your role as a leader in Rotary gives you a special role in changing the lives of the people we serve, our fellow Rotarians and ourselves.”
I would like to emphasize to enhance the engagement with emphasis on leveraging technology among Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary club members and other Rotary participants.
We need to increase collaboration between all participants, particularly between Rotary clubs and Rotaract clubs.
Our Rotaractors are growing up in the digital era, and we must utilise their talents in finding new ways to connect despite the constraint of social isolation.
Now is the time to invite Rotaractors to shape our future. I’m sure that some of you have found creative and innovative ways to connect and serve, which we should look at to maintain in the post-COVID era.
The most important thing that Rotary members can do to continue the fight to end polio is to sustain our commitment towards polio eradication.
Some clubs may adopt a new mix of online and in-person meetings, and of course one has the flexibility to do this if it works for their members.
At its best, Rotary provides a cradle for grassroots change. Whether it be PolioPlus, or global grants, it takes just an idea from one member to make a real difference.
I would like to thank you for your outstanding service. Please help by giving what you can to the Rotary Foundation so that we can push forward the remarkable progress we have made for global public health.
In Rotary, we serve to Change Lives. And your role as a leader in Rotary gives you a special role in changing the lives of the people we serve, our fellow Rotarians and ourselves.
