[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 620

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 
  1. 
  1246: Annan praises Rotary's leadership in global polio effort From: Sunil K Zachariah 
Message 
  1. 1246: Annan praises Rotary's leadership in global polio effort 
  Posted by: "Sunil K Zachariah" sunilkzach at yahoo.co.uk   sunilkzach 
  Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:32 am (PST) 
  Annan praises Rotary's leadership in global polio effort 

  By Vukoni Lupa-Lasaga
  Rotary International News

  In a farewell address on 11 December, outgoing United Nations 
  Secretary-General Kofi Annan cited Rotary International as an example 
  of a private organization or nonstate actor whose partnership with 
  public agencies helps achieve major social goals. 

  Speaking at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library in 
  Independence, Missouri, USA, Annan said the "wonderful partnership 
  between the UN family, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control [and 
  Prevention] and, crucially, Rotary International" is close to 
  eradicating polio worldwide. 

  The UN secretary general explained that he has been guided during his 
  10-year tenure by the principle that nonstate actors can help the 
  organization accomplish its aims. According to Annan, a result of 
  that principle is the Global Compact he made with international 
  business leaders in 1999 to harness private-sector goodwill to meet 
  the challenges of globalization.

  It's impossible for governments alone, especially in the face of 
  limited public resources, to solve all humanity's ills, the UN chief 
  noted. Instead, much more can be achieved through public-private 
  partnerships and initiatives, he said.

  Annan, who steps down on 31 December, chose the venue of his farewell 
  speech to signal the need for the international community to return 
  to the ideals that inspired world leaders, including U.S. President 
  Harry Truman, and humanitarian organizations to establish the UN 
  after the horrors of two world wars.

  More than 40 Rotarians served as advisers, consultants, and delegates 
  at the UN charter conference in 1945. Rotary and the UN have enjoyed 
  a close relationship ever since, with Rotary currently represented at 
  the UN by 23 Rotarians. Rotary also has high-level nongovernmental 
  organization consultative status with the UN Economic and Social 
  Council, which oversees many specialized UN agencies. In addition, 
  Rotary has its own day at the UN, marked by panel discussions to 
  pinpoint new opportunities for the two organizations to work together.

  Cordial relationships among Rotary and UN leaders help strengthen the 
  ties between the organizations. Annan, in particular, has openly 
  expressed his admiration for Rotary's educational and humanitarian 
  initiatives.

  On 4 November, for example, the UN chief acknowledged Rotary's 
  invaluable partnership to hundreds of Rotarians gathered at UN 
  headquarters in New York to celebrate Rotary-UN Day. 

  He said in a written statement, "Rotary is living proof that people 
  with diverse backgrounds can learn to get along with each other and 
  concentrate more on the things we have in common, rather than on the 
  things that drive us apart."

  Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

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