|
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL.
The Rotary Club, founded 1905 in Chicago by Paul P. Harris will host its centennial international convention. About 40,000 attendees from over 150
countries gathered from June 18 -22 at McCormick Place, to celebrate the organization’s centennial in the city where it all began.
The convention featured a mix of workshops, seminars and exhibits. Speakers
included media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner; Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, director- general of the World Health Organization; and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai.
Rotary International is one of the largest
humanitarian organizations and is represented worldwide with 32,000 clubs in 168 countries. In Illinois alone there are 339 clubs with a membership totaling 14,717 members.
In volunteer service and dedication,
Rotary promotes international understanding and world peace through its global humanitarian and educational programs. In a framework of global aid, Rotary has given $ 1.5 billion to various humanitarian programs to promote
literacy, alleviate hunger, help AIDS patients, and protect the environment.
In welcoming Rotary to Chicago, Mayor Richard M. Daley described the organization as “a beacon of compassion and understanding to people
around the world”.
 |
Pictured on arrival at O’Hare International Airport is her Excellency Madam Wangari Maathai, 2004
Nobel Peace Price Laureate and Kenya’s minister of environment, natural resources, and wildlife. She is greeted by Chicago’s, Department of Aviation, Airport Ambassador Werner I. Juretzko.
|
