Rotary Action Plan: CEO John Hewko at Singapore Convention 2024
“Moving the Action Plan Forward”
The 2023-24 Rotary year brought us a number of firsts. India celebrated its first decade of being polio-free. We opened our first Rotary Peace Center in the Middle East. And the first ever Rotaract-sponsored global grants were awarded. These accomplishments are just examples of our collective efforts to increase our impact, expand our reach, provide a memorable membership experience, and adapt to a changing world.As Rotary’s general secretary, I’m proud of all that we’ve accomplished this year. We’ll continue to build and grow the world’s premier membership organization, dedicated to connections, communities, and positive change.
— John Hewko, Rotary International General Secretary and CEO
speaking at the Rotary International Convention, Singapore, May 25 to 29, 2024
Rotary Action Plan
Excerpt from Rotary International President 2023-24 Gordon McInally's opening remarksspeaking at the Rotary International Convention, Singapore, May 25 to 29, 2024
"...our [Rotary's] common humanity and our shared desire to build a more
peaceful and compassionate world, especially in the times of greatest peril. World peace
is a perilous, difficult journey, and we are experiencing some trying moments right now.
The troubles of the world affect us deeply, because we have friends, and sometimes
family and neighbors, experiencing the heartbreak of destruction and loss. But we are an
example of what a better world could be — one where people find common ground
across their divides, and common purpose in elevating humanity.
peaceful and compassionate world, especially in the times of greatest peril. World peace
is a perilous, difficult journey, and we are experiencing some trying moments right now.
The troubles of the world affect us deeply, because we have friends, and sometimes
family and neighbors, experiencing the heartbreak of destruction and loss. But we are an
example of what a better world could be — one where people find common ground
across their divides, and common purpose in elevating humanity.
"Through our service projects, our humanitarian efforts, and our systematic approach to
peacebuilding and conflict resolution, we can be catalysts for positive change in the world.
peacebuilding and conflict resolution, we can be catalysts for positive change in the world.
"Peacebuilding isn’t about stopping wars. I’m sure all of us would love to have the power
to march into the war zones of the world and say “Stop this war!”
to march into the war zones of the world and say “Stop this war!”
"Sadly, we don’t have that power. But I do believe however that we have the power to
stop wars and conflicts from starting, through building peace from the ground level up:
by preventing and treating disease; by improving water, sanitation, and hygiene; by
improving maternal and child health; and by basic education and literacy; by community economic development; along with sustaining our environment."
stop wars and conflicts from starting, through building peace from the ground level up:
by preventing and treating disease; by improving water, sanitation, and hygiene; by
improving maternal and child health; and by basic education and literacy; by community economic development; along with sustaining our environment."