[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 577

[Garry & Anne Krischock]

Renowned economist sees Rotarians as world leaders

By Joseph Derr
Rotary International News

Denmark , Copenhagen - There is a common ground between Rotary's 
vision and the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, which 
outline a bold, global plan for a world free of poverty, disease, and 
hunger by 2015, said the 14 June keynote speaker at the 2006 RI 
Convention, economist Jeffrey Sachs.

"Our generation is the first in the history of the world that can 
realistically say that we can lead to the end of extreme poverty on 
the planet in our time," said Sachs. Besides being the renowned 
author of The End of Poverty, he is the special advisor to UN 
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and head of the UN Millennium Project.

Eight Millennium Development Goals were adopted by all of the world's 
leaders in September 2000. Sachs called the goals the only true route 
to peace on the planet at a pivotal moment in history.

The biggest obstacle in accomplishing the goals, he said, is 
defeatism on the part of world leaders - a group who doesn't 
understand the connection between the goals and global peace and 
security.

"Many of leaders say we can't even get started," he said. "I don't 
know if speaking to the world's leaders helps, but speaking to you 
does help. You are truly the world's leaders."

He likened the program's courageous goals to Rotary's ongoing 
partnership to eradicate polio. "It is your example of action that I 
use every day to try to convince world leaders, communities, and 
businesses that we can accomplish these great goals," Sachs said. He 
praised Rotary's community-based network of Rotary clubs as an 
admirable model of how to get things done for the good of humanity.

Some 78 Millennium Villages in 10 African countries are serving as 
models for the goals program. He urged Rotary clubs or districts to 
partner with the villages for straightforward projects, for example, 
providing inexpensive bed nets to fight malaria or even setting up 
village clinics.

"Rotary is the on-the-ground service provider. It's the one that gets 
into the villages," he said. "Your demonstrated leadership in putting 
the drops of vaccine into the mouths of children in all parts of the 
world is the model of service to bring an end to extreme hunger and 
disease."

"I want Rotarians all over the world to know, please count on me. We 
count on you," he said. "Thank you so much for what you do."

Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary 
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