Rotary and the United Nations

1. Rotary and the United Nations 2015.02.05

2. Rotary and the United Nations • In 1945, reps. of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the UN Conference on Intl. Org. to draw up the UN Charter. • The delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by China, the Soviet Union, the UK and the US in Aug to Oct 1944. • The Charter was signed by the 50 countries in June 1945 and the UN officially came into existence on Oct. 24 1945 • United Nations Day is celebrated on Oct. 24 each year. The charter took place at the newly constructed War Memorial complex in San Francisco

3. Rotary and the United Nations • Rotary International was invited by the US Dept. of State to send consultants to the conference in San Francisco and 11 Rotarians served in various capacities at the conference. • The then Secty. Of State of the US wrote: • The invitation for Rotary to participate was not merely a gesture of good will and respect towards a great organization. It was recognition of the principal part Rotary’s members have played in the development of understanding among nations. Rotary was needed at San Francisco and its representatives made a significant contribution to the Charter itself and to the framing of provisions for the Economic and Social Council.

4. Rotary and the United Nations • In addition Rotarians were also there as delegates of their nations and therefore served as active participants in the conference. • Of these Rotarians seven were chairmen of national delegations and a twenty more were members of the delegations. • Rotary’s program of international understanding, its messages to students and adults round the world and its literature has a most obvious effect on public opinion and served as a valuable role in developing the UN Charter.

5. Rotary and the United Nations • Rotary held a conference in London in early 1942 which succeeded in assembling ministers of education and observers from 21 countries (many of whom were in exile in London) for the purpose of considering the organization of a vast educational and cultural exchange post war. • Later in the same year the same group began laying plans for UNESCO the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization

6. Rotary and the United Nations Statement of Policy Adopted in 1952 and confirmed in 1954: While Rotary Intl. neither gives nor withholds endorsement of the provisions of the UN Charter, nor of the actions or enactments of the UN, it does encourage Rotarians to acquaint themselves with the activities of the UN directed to the advancement of world peace.

7. Rotary and the United Nations • The whole story of Rotary and the UN can never be told as it has to do with the quiet influence of the many Rotarians who were members of the delegations, Rotarians such as: • Paul Henri Spaak of Belgium, who was to serve as the President of the General Assembly and who was a long-time Hon. Member of the Rotary Club of Brussels. • Fans El-Khouri of Syria one of the signers for Syria of the Charter who went on to serve as a member of the Intl Law Commission of the UN and who was a founder of the Rotary Club of Damascus. • Warren R. Austin for many years the head of the US delegation to the UN and a charter member and first President of the Rotary club of Burlington Vermont • Another signer of the Charter is a former VP of RI Carlos Romulo of the Philippines

8. Rotary and the United Nations • Rotary is perhaps most closely associated with the UN through its leadership role with the Polio Plus initiative. • Working with the World Health Organization, (WHO) the public health arm of the UN Rotary has helped achieve dramatic reductions in the presence of Polio around the world. • But Rotary’s work on hygiene, sanitation, education, AIDS initiatives, ShelterBox, potable water, world understanding is all done in concert with various UN organizations. • Most important of all is Rotary’s efforts towards World Peace which hopefully will lead to a better future for all.

9. Rotary and the United Nations • Rotary has earned its special status at the UN and proudly celebrates the relationship with Rotary Day at the UN which is held annually in November. Sandra Wright with a Rotarian from Maryland

10. Rotary and the United Nations • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon came to the Rotary Convention in Birmingham UK and made three separate appearances over approximately 6 hours during Sunday. It is not the first time that a UN Secretary has appeared at a Rotary Convention as Sec. Gen Dag Hammarskjold spoke at the closing of the 1959 RI Convention in NYC . • The Secretary General has also spoken at Rotary Peace Symposiums.

11. Rotary and the United Nations • RIPP Wilf Wilkinson with the Sect. Genl. of the UN Ban Ki-Moon (that’s HRH Prince Philip in the background) Wilf receiving on behalf of RI the UN Water for Life Award

12. Rotary and the United Nations Dear Rotarians, For 22 years, you and your fellow Rotarians have dedicated your time and efforts to eradicating polio.  You have done so in the face of extraordinary challenges.  You have overcome financial shortfalls, conflict and lack of security.  You have conquered cultural barriers and lack of political will. At every turn, in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, you have found creative solutions, in partnership with the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  In this way, Rotarians have shown the world what can be achieved when civil society and the United Nations partner together. Dear friends, when the last chapter on polio eradication is finally written, it will tell one of the most spectacular success stories in public health.  It will describe one of the world’s most remarkable partnerships.  And it will highlight your personal service to humanity. Today, Rotary’s leadership is more critical than ever.  Your determination and generosity will drive us to the finish line in our race against polio.  I know you will go the distance.  And I will be with you every step of the way. Thank you very much.