Rotary Day at the United Nations is our annual event highlighting the critical humanitarian activities that Rotary and the UN lead around the world.  This year on 12 November, eight of our Club Members participated in the Day's events at United Nations Headquarters. Among them were Club President Mahbub Ahmad, Past District Governors, Greg Arcaro and Matts Ingemanson, Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad, Membership Chair Shahid Latif, Director Aura Latif and members, Sundra Ingemanson and Barbara Hanna.

Organized by the Rotary representatives to the UN in New York and attended by more than 1,300 Rotarians, Rotary youth program participants, UN officials, representatives of business and humanitarian organizations, friends, and guests, the event showcased the many ways that clubs and districts make a positive impact in their communities while addressing some of the most pressing international challenges.

In keeping with Rotary President John F. Germ's theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, and with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, this year's Rotary Day at the United Nations focused on how Rotary and the business world can work together to improve lives.  President Germ was himself a keynote speaker at the opening session, while Ambassador Kim Won-soo, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General delivered the welcome on behalf of the Secretary-General.

Responsible Business, Resilient Societies, this year's UN Day theme, centered on economic and community development. Speakers, and breakout sessions addressed ways that Rotary, in partnership with the business sector, nonprofits, and the international community, is promoting stable and peaceful societies through equitable economic development.  

The audience for the proceedings of the day was multiplied many times, because the sessions were streamed live to a world-wide audience by UNTV.  Click on the sessions below and you can relive the breakout sessions, courtesy of UN Webcast.

Opening Session

 

Six Breakout Spotlight sessions focused on:

The Rotary Responsible Business Award recognizes extraordinary Rotary members and business partners who have improved communities by providing employment opportunities, job training, mentoring, and innovation.

District governors nominated Rotarians, Rotaractors, Rotary Peace Fellows, and business partners whose efforts in the community have had a measurable impact. Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko  announced the following Award winners:

Rotary Responsible Business Honorees:

  • Jean-Paul Faure, Rotary Club of Cagnes-Grimaldi, Nice, France
  • Lawrence Wright, Rotary Club of Taylor, Detroit, Michigan
  • Annemarie Mostert, Rotary Club of Southern Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Suresh Goklaney, Rotary Club of Mumbai, India
  • Stephanie Woollard. Rotary Club of Melbourne, Australia
  • Juan Silva Beauperthuy, Rotary Club of Chacao, Caracas, Venezuela.