Rotary International

EU Legislative Interests

ROTARY International currently has the following priorities for international action : a) peacebuilding and conflict prevention; b) disease prevention and treatment; c) water, sanitation, and hygiene; d) maternal and child health; e) basic education and literacy; e) community economic development; and f) environment . Those priorities also include one main area of action i.e. the eradication of polio worldwide . This has been a focus of action since 1979, with the establishment of " Polio Plus " in 1985. RI works closely with United Nations organisation and programs and Commissions, such as WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO and FAO. In addition to general exchanges with the EU Institutions RI is therefore interested in exchanges and collaboration with regard to a number of EU policies and legislation corresponding to those priorities , including, but not limited to Health, Environment and Climate Change, Social Affairs and Regional Development, Education and Culture, External Relations and International Partnerships.

Communication Activities

The activities towards the EU started in July 2013: -Initial contacts have been pursued with EU Institutions, in particular with EU officials. -Since January 2014, several Events/ Conferences on " POLIO ERADICATION NOW" has been organized in the E.P. building with the participation at the panel of representatives from WHO,UNICEF,Bill Gates Foundation, E.P. and E.C. (Commissioner). National Advocacy Advisors met personnally with key officials of E.P. and E.C. (DG DEV). -Contacts are pursued with E.C. services, CESE and E.P. towards active participation in platforms/forums (a.o.DEV, AIDCO, Growth, EEAS and PEACE related, SDGs), Court of JusticeOrganisation of a Conference: " Rotary at the EU", Brussels , March 8, 2017- Theme: Challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable development goals, with the participation of Mr Karmenu Vella, member of the E. C. and Mr John Hewko, Gen-sec of R.I. Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) including, WHO, UNICEF, Bill-Melinda Gates Foundation, meetings since 2016,ongoing Participation to EDD 2018, presence in the Development Village Organisation of a public virtual conference/ event in Brussels, Nov 9 2020, "Rotary meets EU" on "Global Health Security" featuring Parliamentary Interest Group on Global Public Health and Development 2nd Seminar Rotary4Europe - Virtual conference for students- May 28-29 2021 "Education : the EU Institutions" 26 october 2022 :Public Conference "EU Policies and Rotary support in ACP Development" December 2022: Pre launch of "Plastic waste-End Plastic Soup Initiative" with participation of DG Environment 3rd Seminar Rotary4Europe- Brussels-May 2023 "Education : the EU Institutions" Celebration of 100 years European Parliament, Global and Local Health Partners: The Fight Against Polio and Beyond Wednesday, 20 November 2024 Participation to the Rotary-Fusion-Summit 25-28 sept. 25 Brussels. Fusion reflexes a new message of opening of the Rotary towards civil society, young generation, diversity, inviting global collaboration

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Rotary is composed of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation, 540 Districts, 36.000 Rotary Clubs, and 9.000 Rotaract Clubs 1.2 million Rotarians and 130.00 Rotaracians, of which 211.397 members in EU.

Organisation Members

https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary

Additional Information

Rotary is made up of three parts: our clubs, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation; The Rotary Foundation transforms member contributions into projects that address challenges linkied to the priorities of Rotaryx explained above. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has supported projects to an amount of more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects, corresponding to its established priorities. More information can be found under the following link : https://www.rotary.org/en/annual-report-2024/our-finances